Ngo Slams Saifuddin Over Lack Of Gag Order Against Zakir Naik

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The Global Human Rights Federation (GHRF) has berated Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail after the latter confirmed that there is no longer a gag order imposed on controversial preacher Dr Zakir Naik.
GRHF president S Shashi Kumar said there seems to be a blatant double standard when it comes to protecting the religious rights of minorities.
“Saifuddin and the government are selfish and full of hypocrisy when it comes to protecting the rights of the minorities.
“They are always gung-ho when it comes to protecting Islam against insults but no one cares when our religion gets attacked,” Shashi told Malaysiakini today.
‘Ban due to police probe’
Yesterday, Saifuddin(above, left) confirmed in the Dewan Rakyat that the police ban against Zakir is no longer in effect.
Global Human Rights Federation president S Shashi KumarHe said the ban that stopped the Indian national from delivering any ceramah was only imposed in 2019 as he was under police investigation then.
“When investigations were launched against him in 2019, he was banned from delivering any ceramah during that period (of investigations).
“I have just checked on this again and there is no longer a ban against him, as it was only imposed pending the investigations against his two speeches.
“So, to answer the question from Jelutong MP (RSN Rayer) whether there is still a ban (against Zakir) today, the answer is no,” Saifuddin was reported as saying.
The ban in 2019 was imposed after Zakir allegedly made controversial remarks about Hindus and Chinese in Malaysia during a lecture in Kota Bharu, Kelantan, on Aug 3.
Outcome of probe
On that note, Shashi urged Saifuddin to inform the public on the outcome of the 2019 investigation against Zakir.
“Can Saifuddin tell us what happened to the investigations against Zakir in 2019? Was it classified as no further action?” he asked.
Shashi reminded the government that Zakir has been criticising non-Islamic religions for a long time and it won’t take long before his speeches become a problem to Malaysia’s plural society.
“This is about the sensitivity of non-Muslims. We have to step up to safeguard our sensitives too.
“And I want to see how the non-Muslim leaders in the Madani administration try to justify this no-gag order against Zakir,” he stressed.
Disheartening
Referring to Saifuddin’s remarks as disheartening, he said the Madani government’s action suggests double standards when it comes to respecting religious sensitivity.
“While Muslim sensitivities are consistently prioritised, the concerns and feelings of non-Muslims seem to be overlooked or dismissed.
“This imbalance not only fuels division but also fosters an environment where minorities feel marginalised and disrespected.
“Failure to address these concerns signals that the sensitivities of non-Muslims are seen as less important - as if the minority in this nation can be taken for granted and bullied,” he lamented.
Explaining non-Muslims’ opposition to Zakir, Shashi said it was because of the preacher’s tendency to belittle and degrade other religions.
Shashi said nobody is against Zakir preaching Islam but questioned the preacher’s need to question others’ faith, often misquoting and misinterpreting their holy books when doing so.
“Why does he feel entitled to criticise other religions and disrespect their followers?” he asked. - Mkini

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