Lahore: Christian leaders of Pakistan have written letters to President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, saying that action should be taken against Islamic preacher Zakir Naik for making inappropriate comments on Christianity. Naik, who arrived in Pakistan on a month-long visit on the invitation of the government, delivered ‘controversial’ lectures in cities like Karachi, Islamabad and Lahore. This is his first visit to Pakistan in three decades. Earlier, he had come to Pakistan in 1992. Naik had left India in 2016 due to allegations of money laundering and inciting extremism through hate speeches. He was granted permanent residence in Malaysia by the previous government led by Mahathir Mohamad. Synod-Church of Pakistan chief bishop Dr Azad Marshall and other Christian leaders wrote letters to Sharif and Zardari saying that Naik, who came as a state guest, making adverse comments about Christians and their religion was condemnable.
Pakistan’s Christians got angry
Christian leaders requested to take action against Naik and take effective steps to prevent such things in future. The letter said, ‘Dr. Zakir Naik’s public addresses have created anger in the Christian community as he openly questioned the authenticity of our religion, made inappropriate comments on our holy scriptures and made false statements.’
Do not give a chance to Christians. Marshall also mentioned Mohammad Ali Jinnah’s address in the first Constituent Assembly of Pakistan in 1947. He said that Dr. Naik, in his public appearances as a state guest, had insulted the vision of the Founding Father of Pakistan. He said, ‘Dr. Zakir Naik’s statements are made from open forums, where our clergy and people of religion are denied the opportunity to adequately respond or correct the misinformation being spread on his behalf.’