Zakir Naik's Anti-Feminist Act in Pakistan

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 7 October 2024 Fugitive Islamic hate preacher Zakir Naik's shocking behaviour at an orphanage during his visit to Pakistan has gone viral. In a video shared by Pakistan-based researcher and journalist Usman Chaudhary, Zakir Naik was seen being greeted by orphaned girls on a stage before an official of the orphanage was about to present him with a welcome memento. However, the Islamic hate preacher wanted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) was seen leaving the stage in a hurry, while the girls looked on, puzzled. Imtiaz Mahmood, an influential social media user based in the UK, in a post said Zakir Naik left the stage furious because the orphanage officials introduced the girls as "daughters". "You cannot touch them or call them your daughters," Zakir Naik reportedly said, referring to them as "non-mahram". Imtiaz Mahmood, explaining Zakir Naik's reaction, said the hate preacher's "argument is that these little girls are of marriageable age", due to which they cannot be introduced as his daughters. This man, Zakir Naik, is an absolute nuisance. Barring his elephantine memory, he has no other admirable quality. Mind you, Zakir Naik is a medico, a full-fledged MBBS, and not a madrasa-indoctrinated typical Muslim preacher! Yet, his thinking is so primitive, morbid and potentially volatile. Such pathological and misogynistic views coming from an 'educated' man could be more dangerous than the silly religious apercus of village mullahs and Maulvis. Muslims, even educated ones, take people like Zakir Naik seriously because they've a proper medical background and they're supposed to be educated. This latest sexist act of Zakir Naik has strengthened people's belief that Islam is an anti-feminist and chauvinistic faith. In a slightly different context, Mr Ghulam Mohiyuddin's apprehension is valid when he says that, ‘even educated Muslims, lap up such articles with pleasure. They make them feel good about their religion. But he should understand that he is only slowing down the necessary process of developing rational and critical thinking among our youth.' An educated person must talk sense. Even when he explains religious and theological issues, he shouldn't let his embedded scientific temperament leave him. Preachers and interpreters of all faiths have this tendency to talk through their hats. But they must know when and where to draw the line and they must also be aware of that precise psychological moment when to say nothing or keep mum. It's good that the social media account of controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik on the platform ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) has been blocked in India. ---- A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to the world's premier publications in several languages including Persian. URL: https://www.newageislam.com/current-affairs/zakir-naik-anti-feminist-pakistan/d/133372 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism