Ideals of humanity
This refers to the story “Zakir Naik banned from entering UK” (June 19).The British action is not surprising. Sooner or later it was to come. While Dr. Zakir Naik is an excellent orator when it comes to comparative religion, he also harbors very extreme views on religions. Being a trained medical doctor and having a worldwide following, one would expect him to be a force for moderation, but he uses his oratorical and logical prowess to indirectly discredit and make fun of other belief systems — which can only lead to fanaticism and violent confrontations — resulting in loss of lives and property.
Unfortunately, he has never focused much on important Islamic values which call for honesty, integrity, non-discrimination, building of orphanages and medical facilities, reaching out to neighbors whoever they may be, paying and properly administrating charities including zakat and so on.
He has never unequivocally condemned Al-Qaeda and what it stands for. He always minimizes the threat of terrorism as practiced by the Al-Qaeda group and its sympathizers. Once during his visit to Riyadh, he ridiculed the innocent and well-wishing greeting of “namaste” — this coming from somebody who studied and lived among Hindus is unbelievable. He forgets that millions of human beings in India use this term innocently as a respectful greeting without hairsplitting what the real meaning is, or how it came about.
In secular and liberal India, he is preaching to his Muslim audience not to allow their women to go to work where they may mix with non-mahram males, without offering an alternative solution to those pious Muslim women who must go out and practice their professions and support their families. Many countries have still continued bans on other extremist leaders like Narendra Modi — chief minister of Indian state of Gujarat. Others like Pat Robertson and Foreign Minister of Israel Avigdor Lieberman should too be “persona non grata in all civilized countries.” Freedom of expression or speech doesn’t mean ridiculing other well-established religions. Dr. Naik needs to carefully read some brilliant speeches by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah on the philosophies and ideals of humanity. Peace, love and compassion among all the creatures of Allah. He should become a representative of the world’s voiceless, poor and illiterate who can’t fend for themselves.
We urge Dr. Naik to use his deep knowledge and oratory power to bring back to true Islam the misguided extremists in Afghanistan and other deviant groups around the world and bring about more unity among warring sects in Iraq and Somalia. These must be the places on his priority for next foreign visits.
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Jun 20, 2010 16:20
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