A viral video featuring fugitive Radical Islamic Preacher Zakir Naik has sparked significant outrage on social media after it shows him dismissing a young woman’s concerns about societal issues in Islamic communities. The incident occurred during a public gathering in Karachi, Pakistan, where the girl, identifying as Pashtun, questioned Naik about the prevalence of societal ills, including paedophilia, adultery, and drug addiction, despite the apparent strictness of religious observance in her community.
The girl’s inquiry emphasized the contradiction between the religious adherence of people in her region and the emergence of such issues, as well as the lack of accountability from Islamic scholars (ulemas) regarding these problems. She also voiced concerns over the restricted freedoms of women, seeking an explanation from Naik about the apparent failures within the community.
In response, Naik initially made a flippant remark, suggesting that men should learn from women and not venture out without reason. When the girl attempted to elaborate on her points, he interrupted her, insisting that she remain silent while he addressed her concerns. He claimed there was no mention of paedophilia in the Quran or any Islamic scripture, which he argued was a contradiction to her assertions. Naik accused her of defaming Islam, stating, “A Muslim can never commit sexual abuse against children,” and admonished her to reconsider her accusations.
When she attempted to defend her position, he firmly stated, “You are wrong,” and demanded an apology for her remarks. His dismissive attitude and refusal to engage constructively with the young woman’s serious concerns drew widespread criticism on social media. Many users accused him of gaslighting and trivializing the girl’s questions about important societal issues.
A brave girl has completely destroyed Radical Islamic Zakir Naik.
Zakir says, ‘There is no mention of Pedophilia in the Quran!’
I am really worried about the safety of this brave girl. pic.twitter.com/HIE9Ykzqu7
— Vijay Patel🇮🇳 (@vijaygajera) October 6, 2024
Zakir Naik, originally from Mumbai, has been labeled a fugitive by the Indian government, facing multiple charges including terror funding, money laundering, and hate speech. His organization, the Islamic Research Foundation, has been banned in India, and he has been living in Malaysia since 2017, where he continues to deliver controversial lectures. Critics of Naik argue that his interpretations of Islamic texts promote a narrow and intolerant view of Islam, contributing to the radicalization of young Muslims. The recent incident has reignited discussions about accountability within religious communities and the need for open dialogues about pressing social issues.
