ISLAMABAD: Dr Zakir Abdul Karim Naik, a respected Islamic religious scholar from India, has been forced to relocate to Malaysia due to severe persecution threats in India. He is visiting Pakistan from 5 October – 24 October 2024 on official invitation. He would speak on “Upholding Moral and Ethical Values in the Digital Era.”
Given India’s notorious treatment of minorities, his contentious departure and the sensitive nature of the topic, India can exaggerate the significance of Dr. Naik’s visit to divert attention from its own serious human rights abuses and oppressive policies, particularly against minorities in India.
India’s Notorious Treatment of Minorities
Experts and western media reports said that India’s persecution of Muslim scholars like Dr. Zakir Naik is part of a broader agenda of religious discrimination, exposing its intolerance toward minorities. Many analysts said that the fake charges against Dr. Naik are politically motivated, aimed at silencing those who challenge New Delhi’s treatment of its Muslim population and speak out against its human rights violations.
Dr. Naik promotes peaceful Islamic teachings and is being unfairly labeled by Indian extremist government due to his religious position, as New Delhi paints anyone critical of its policies as divisive to suppress opposition.
India uses counterterrorism as a pretext to target Muslim prominent figures while turning a blind eye to domestic violence against minorities within its own borders, experts remarked. Dr. Naik fled India not due to guilt, but because of genuine threats of persecution, as the Indian judiciary is biased against minorities especially Muslims.
Pakistan invites Dr. Zakir Naik to Promote Freedom of Speech, Religious Protection
Pakistan has invited Dr. Zakir Naik to promote freedom of speech and religious protection, unlike India, which suppresses minority voices and persecutes scholars who stand up for their beliefs. Islamabad offers refuge to persecuted figures like Dr. Naik, standing up for freedom of speech and religious expression, while India continues to silence dissenting voices.
India Exaggerates Significance of Dr. Naik’s Visit to Divert Attention from Its Own HR Abuses
The focus of Dr. Naik’s visit is to discuss upholding moral and ethical values in the digital era, not regional politics, as India’s narrative falsely suggests. India exaggerates the significance of Dr. Naik’s visit to deflect attention from its own human rights abuses and oppressive policies, particularly against minorities. While India engages in international lobbying to cover up its oppressive behavior, Pakistan stands as a defender of those persecuted for their beliefs, offering a platform for open dialogue and ethical discourse.
