Now Putrajaya Greenlights Dr Zakir’s Malacca Talk, with Change of Topic

Ahmad Zahid said the event organised by Universiti Teknikal Malaysia in Malacca will go ahead as scheduled on April 17 after reaching a compromise with the preacher to change his initial topic

Kuala Lumpur, 06 Rajab 1437/13 April 2016 (MINA) – The federal government reversed Tuesday an earlier ban on controversial Muslim preacher Dr Zakir Naik’s talk in Malacca this Sunday after negotiating a change of topic, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi confirmed.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also home minister, said the event organised by Universiti Teknikal Malaysia in Malacca will go ahead as scheduled on April 17 after reaching a compromise with the preacher to change his initial topic titled “Similarities Between Hinduism and Islam”, The Star Online reported.

“I have also spoken to the Malacca Chief Minister on this issue and has informed him on this decision,” heracial harmony was quoted telling reporters in Putrajaya

Ahmad Zahid said police disallowed the talk initially due to complaints from Malaysian Hindus.

A recipient of the Malaysian government’s Tokoh Maal Hijrah award in 2013, the Mumbai-based preacher previously angered the Hindu community here by allegedly insulting their deities along with the vegetarian practices of the faith.

The Islamic Research Foundation president had also been denied entry to Canada and United Kingdom in 2012 after he reportedly expressed his support of terrorist group al-Qaeda. (T/R07/R01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)