How Malaysians Can Tactically Deal With Zakir Naik S Non Ban

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The year 2025 is not even two months old and now the biggest bomb that will ultimately destroy whatever fabric we have left as a nation of communities with kesopanan (politeness) dan kesusilaan (morality) will explode and there may be no turning back from this juncture.
The California fires had raged for almost a month, causing total destruction in the blink of an eye and aches of hearts. Our country will burn like the fires of California but it will not be one month or two… it could be years and even decades. This is a turning point. The point of no return.
Who do we have to thank for the unleashing of this bomb? Not Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail. No. It is none other than the Perlis mufti known affectionately as Dr Maza (Asri Zainul Abidin). Learn this name, and identify this man for he is the one who pulled the trigger.
When Zakir was “banned” or advised to be silent, we had some peace from his so-called “dakwah method” (preaching method). For me, it is just a lot of evangelical theatrics.
But Malays adore him because they think that the act of converting people is a sure ticket to heaven. The act of helping a family of six children of different faiths is nothing compared to converting the family to Islam.
Gently explaining message
I am a product of the Islamic Reformation of the 80s and 90s. In the Usrah or circles of faiths I attended, the dakwah efforts were all targeted at Muslims to bring and realign them to the ways of the Sunnah or the Prophet.
Perlis Mufti Asri Zainul AbidinThe Muslims were seen to be lost in the material world of Westernisation and also lost in the capitalistic culture that governed their everyday life.
That was the dakwah. The dakwah never covered converting others to Islam. The religion of Islam that I learned calls for me to explain Islam, not to forcefully, shrewdly, or entice others to Islam.
I have explained Islam to thousands of non-Muslims but never enticed them or even asked them to convert. My role was clear, as in the Surah Yassin that I was here only to explain the message.
The mufti of Perlis has pulled the genie out of the bottle. The coalition government is now put in a position of “ditelan mati emak diludah mati bapak” (damned if you do, damned if you don’t).
For the mufti, he is hailed a hero and will be remembered as a warrior of Islam. For the coalition government, if they enforced a ban, they would be hailed as liberals and traitors to Islam but on the other hand, if they allowed Zakir the freedom to preach, the non-Muslims would vilify the coalition government as traitors to Malaysia.
I am sure, Sabah and Sarawak will not allow Zakir to preach over there but his influence will grow in the peninsula with this new proclamation of freedom. Eventually, Sabah and Sarawak will succumb to Muslims calling for the lifting of the ban as well. I have seen this happen in my crystal ball.
How should Malaysians react?
Firstly, I must ask all Malaysians to exercise patience and respect for Zakir. Although most of us find him despicable, we will damage Malaysia more by being as derogatory as an Umno politician whose favourite line is “Sorry no cure”.
Secondly, if Zakir says things that hurt our faiths and religions, we must come together as Malaysians with Muslims and non-Muslims to put out a professionally crafted statement. The statement must be clear with evidence but with adab (good manners).
Zakir NaikMost importantly it must come from a multi-faith group that includes Muslims. If people like RSN Rayer or P Ramasamy put out a statement, I think these fellows have strayed and will cause the forces of Islamic conservatism and extremism to have a field day denouncing our faiths and beliefs.
Thirdly, we must file a professionally and academically written report to the newly appointed Harmony Committee now established under the Islamic Development Department.
I would like to congratulate Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Na’im Mokhtar for this brave act in appointing this committee. I am sure he is being vilified by ignorant Malay citizens and emboldening the political opportunists.
Nevertheless, we Malaysians must work in consonance and in tandem with the Harmony Committee and let this committee then make the public statements, and presentations to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and perhaps even the police.
We ordinary people must not put up any police report. If any one of us did, it would be a huge win for the conservative forces of this country.
Fourth, as much as we would hate to do, we must invite Zakir into our territory. We must invite him into our churches, temples, and assembly halls so that he can repeat what he says about our religions right in front of us, and not in a hall full of ignorant thousands of adoring Malays and Muslims.
Treat him with decorum
But we must treat Zakir with decorum and phrase our rebuttal to him with evidence and dignity. Nothing else will do. If we act in a rude manner like some Muslim politician or missionary, then we lose the game.
Finally, I know most Malaysians will disagree with my ideas. Then all is lost. Do it your way and you may be satisfied for your pound of flesh, but you will lose this country and your children will bear the brunt of decades of what you did now.
Minister in the PM’s Department (Religious Affairs) Na’im MokhtarZakir is an immensely popular and powerful individual due to his expert projection of himself to ignorant Malays. He wields power that is hidden and - make no mistake - even Anwar Ibrahim will pale against the shadow of this man.
That is why we must treat Zakir with respect so that we can save our Malaysia from utter destruction. - Mkini
TAJUDDIN MOHD RASDI is a professor of Islamic architecture at UCSI University.
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of MMKtT.

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