Why did Pakistan invite fugitive Islamic preacher Zakir Naik as a state guest knowing well that he is “wanted” in India? Is it just a coincidence that Islamabad hosted him and Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif praised him publicly just before the Heads of Government meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation?

Zakir Naik Embarrasses Pakistan

Though Shahbaz Sharif has come under scathing attack from his countrymen after Zakir Naik caused major embarrassment by his misogynistic approach and “foot in mouth” comments.

The Islamic televangelist, who fled from India and made Malaysia his home created ripples across the host country with his comments, many of which were not liked by the people, including Islamic preachers.

The head of now banned Islamic Research Foundation has been accused of spreading hate and preaching extremism in the name of Islam in India. He left India and landed in Malaysia in 2016.

Malaysia Grants Permanent Residency

Mahathir Mohamed’s government of Malaysia granted him permanent residency, much to the chagrin of India. Anwar Ibrahim allowed him to stay in the country despite his controversial statements.

This was the time when Kuala Lumpur slammed India for the abrogation of Article 370 and the passing of the Citizenship Amendment Act. However, the geopolitical situation has changed with India emerging as a major power in Asia after China.

Does Malaysia Distances Itself From Zaki Naik?

Taking a cue from Beijing, Malaysia also wants to improve ties with India. This is evident by the fact that Anwar Ibrahim refused to criticize New Delhi on the issue of Jammu and Kashmir and called it “a purely domestic issue of India”, much to the shock and disappointment of Pakistan.

When he came to New Delhi recently on an official visit and was asked about the extradition of Zakir Naik, he said his country would not ‘condone’ terrorism if the evidence is given. 

Will Zakir Naik Leave Malaysia?

If reports are to be believed, Zakir Naik wants to leave Malaysia and settle in Pakistan. Islamabad, which has been a haven for anti-India forces like Dawood Ibrahim and Khalistani leader Gopal Singh Chawla and others, will be too happy to host him.

Political analysts believe Islamabad may have the bigger design of instigating Indian Muslims using the televised speeches of the Islamic preacher. The televangelist may fit in its design of creating troubles in India.

Zakir Naik: Pakistan Has Bigger Design

Though Islamabad offered an olive branch to India in the early days of the Shabaz Sharif government due to its own economic and political turmoil, it did not move forward and continued fomenting troubles in Jammu and Kashmir. Soon Pakistan went back to an anti-India campaign and raised the Kashmir issue on international fora.

Pakistan also wants to host Zakir Naik to appease its Islamic elements. Though it has the support of the Pakistan Army, Shahbaz Sharif’s government has been bogged down in the internal problems of unemployment, poverty, price rise, and other issues.

Pakistan Chooses Wrong Time

One more issue is there for Pakistan to back Zakir Naik.  If the Islamic preacher quits Malaysia and Islamabad comes forward to host him, Pakistan will increase its status in the Islamic World or Ummah.

The analysts believe Shabaz Sharif made the mistake of choosing the time for hosting Zakir Naik. His stay in the country coincided with the official visit of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and the meeting of the SCO.

Zakir Naik Angers Pakistanis

However, Zakir Naik bit more than he could chew. He enraged a large section of Pakistanis by his comments on women.

The Deobandi scholar sparked outrage by saying that “there is no way an unmarried woman can be respected, if there are no single men available, she either has to marry an already married man to be respected or else she is public property.”

He can be seen in a video scolding a Pashtun girl for asking him to explain the increasing incidents of “pedophilia” in Pakistan. When the girl questioned Naik about the causes of drug addiction, infidelity, and the rise in pedophilia, he said bluntly, “A Muslim can never commit sexual abuse against children.” Naik also advised her to “think 10 times before making such accusations”.

He can be seen in a video scolding a Pashtun girl for asking him to explain the increasing incidents of “pedophilia” in Pakistan. When the girl questioned Naik about the causes of drug addiction, infidelity, and the rise in pedophilia, he said bluntly, “A Muslim can never commit sexual abuse against children.” Naik also advised her to “think 10 times before making such accusations”.

Pakistanis Ridicule Zakir Naik

When he said that the chances of going to Jannat while living in Pakistan are hundreds of times higher than in the US, he was ridiculed. A user on social media platform X wrote, “That’s true. Suicide bombers and terrorists are far more in Pakistan than anywhere in the world.”

Shahbaz Sharif’s government hosted this man and the prime minister himself heaped praise on him for spreading Islam in the world.