Govt should not entertain calls to deport Zakir Naik - Perlis Mufti

The federal government should not entertain calls for popular preacher Dr Zakir Naik to be deported to India, says Perlis Mufti associate professor Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin.

He said the calls which also described Dr Zakir as a terrorist was not justified and in fact, had deliberately created confusion and tarnished the image of famous preacher.

"Based on the talks and knowledge shared by Dr Zakir, there is no evidence to suggest that he incites people to violence.

"Those who make the allegations should provide evidence that he (Dr Zakir) incited violence. Every speech and talk given by Dr Zakir was recorded ... so please enlighten us the particular sentences that incited violence," he told reporters at his office, here today.

Mohd Asri also expressed his disappointment over the situation and proposed for a dialogue to be held between Dr Zakir and those who made the allegations.

Yesterday, Health Minister Datuk Seri S. Subramaniam, who is also MIC president, was reported to have said that Malaysia could not permit controversial Indian preacher Dr Zakir Naik to use the country as a haven from a terrorism investigation simply because of his religious credentials and as an agent provocateur, he would become a divisive presence in multicultural and multi-religious Malaysia. --Bernama