Zakir Naik - On The Run In Malaysia; Wanted For Hate-Preaching, Money-Laundering

Supporters say he is a pious preacher who builds bridges between religions. The indian government says he is a fugitive, wanted in terror and money-laundering cases. Zakir Naik tells The Week how he became a man of contradictions

- Namrata Biji Ahuja/putrajaya, Malaysia

He is a good man,” a young father told his five-year-old son as they hurried across the road to greet Dr Zakir Naik, as he stood outside the Putra Mosque at Putrajaya in Malaysia on May 3.

It was 1pm, and Naik was on his usual Friday visit to the famous mosque, barely 100 metres away from the office of Prime Minister Mahathir bin Mohamad. Putrajaya is the administrative capital of Malaysia, and every few weeks, the prime minister himself attends Friday prayers in the mosque.

Wearing blue shirt, black trousers and a skullcap, and sporting his trademark beard, Naik had reached just in time for the prayers. He smiled and nodded as I met him outside the mosque, and we entered Allah’s peaceful abode. Non-Muslims, including women, are allowed to enter the mosque on most days. Naik informed me, almost apologetically, that I would not be able to enter the main hall during the prayer. But I could go to the women’s enclosure on the first floor. The women in the mosque happily took me there, and one of them even gave me a hijab to wear if I did not mind.

Watching Naik pray had me wondering: What goes on in the mind of the preacher who has influenced millions of people worldwide?

According to investigators, Naik’s speeches have inspired young people to carry out terror strikes—like the ones in Sri Lanka on April 21 and in Dhaka in 2016. The youth in India who wanted to join Islamic State had apparently been his followers. Was he their actual inspiration? No one knows.

An hour passed and the prayers got over. Naik put on his black shoes and stepped out. His walk was brisk; he is a man of purpose.

The Putra Mosque overlooks a lake. The street leading to it buzzes with shops, eateries and rent-a-cycle stores. Tourists in colourful skirts and hats, and hijab-clad women with children, strolled around.