No Malaysian citizenship for Zakir Naik

International Islamic preacher Dr Zakir Naik was not given Malaysian citizenship as reported in the Indian media, Deputy Home Minister Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed said.

The Hindustan Times had reported that the preacher whose Islamic Research Foundation was recently banned in India, was offered a Malaysian citizenship as a package deal when he was awarded the Tokoh Maal Hijrah award in 2013.

"We do not give citizenships automatically unless the person was born in the country to Malaysian parents," Nur Jazlan told The Star Online.

"Zakir is not an important religious personality in South East Asia as we have our own moderate model of Islam which fits the culture of the people here," he added.

READ: 8 facts you need to know about controversial preacher Zakir Naik

Meanwhile, Zakir's spokesperson Arif Malik said there was no truth in the claims that the preacher was offered a Malaysian citizenship.

Quoting Naik’s words, Malik said told Indian news portal Janta Ka Reporter, “Till a few months ago, the Indian media had been saying I was banned in Malaysia, and now they’re saying I’ve got Malaysian citizenship.

That’s ridiculous. And there’s no truth in the Malaysian citizenship rumour.”