Christian leaders in Pakistan have condemned Islamic preacher Zakir Naik’s objectionable remarks about Christianity during several public sermons he delivered in Pakistan for a month-long state-sponsored visit in October.

Naik, a prominent figure in the Islamic world, is the founder of the Islamic Research Foundation and Dubai-based Barış TV, which broadcasts his public speeches. The preacher, an Indian national, has been a resident of Malaysia since 2016 amid legal troubles in his home country, which has requested his extradition in multiple cases including hate speech, incitement of terrorism and money laundering.

This year was Naik’s first visit to Pakistan in three decades; He last visited the country in 1992.

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During his trip, Naik addressed many meetings and gave lectures in various cities, including Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad; here he repeatedly criticized Christianity, challenged Christians to religious debates, and made public overtures to them to convert to Islam.

Azad Marshall, presiding bishop of the Church of Pakistan, in a letter addressed to Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari on October 21, expressed concern over Naik’s open criticism of Christian doctrines and scriptures in public forums.

According to Marshall, Christian pastors and scholars were not given the opportunity to respond to the “misinformation” spread in these forums. The bishop’s letter stated that the Christian community felt excluded and that its religious beliefs were publicly discredited without recourse.

Marshall reminded President Zardari of Pakistan’s constitutional guarantees, citing Article 20, which guarantees the right of every citizen to freely practice and propagate his religion. He also referred to Article 36, which obliges the state to protect the legitimate rights of minorities.

Calling for immediate government action at the time, the bishop said the Christian community believed that such state-sponsored actions threatened the religious harmony and mutual respect envisaged by Pakistan’s founder, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, in his speech to the first Constituent Assembly. of Pakistan.

Criticizing Naik for his misinterpretation of the Bible, allegations of alterations to the Bible, and denial of the divinity of Jesus and his crucifixion, Bishop Emeritus Samuel Azariah, Director of the Center for Christian Research, criticized the government for sponsoring the controversial preacher’s visit.

“When cornered, they ignored his track record, his arrogant attitude and his derogatory behavior. Sacred figures and books are indisputable; his stance is wrong,” Azarya said.

“He builds walls between societies while trying to prove his knowledge. “His visit is harmful to both Islam and Christianity,” he said.

Bishop Samson Shukardin, President of the Pakistan Catholic Bishops’ Conference, said Naik’s use of derogatory remarks against church leaders and evangelists would be condemned.

“We reject unilateral calls for religious conversion,” he added, raising concerns that it would “undermine efforts at interfaith harmony.”

At a press conference held at the Lahore Press Club on October 16, Dominican priest and interfaith dialogue organizer Father James Channan, along with leaders of Protestant churches and representatives from the Hindu, Sikh and liberal Muslim communities, called for Naik to be banned.

“He made many statements that caused discomfort among minorities. They are hurt and have reservations about these inappropriate comments about different religions. “They also caused a great shock to efforts at interfaith harmony,” he said.

Meanwhile, a petition was also filed in the Lahore sessions court seeking directions to the police to register a case against the Islamic preacher.

The petitioner, Asher Sarfraz of True Spirit of Christians, told Christian Daily International that he had approached the Race Course Police Station in Lahore to register a case against Naik for inciting religious tension, but the police had not taken action. his complaint.

“Naik is fueling hatred against Christians, who are already a vulnerable minority community in Pakistan. “Hate speech is likely to fuel further violence against our society,” he said.

Although Pakistan’s constitution guarantees freedom of religion and belief, religious minorities in the country, including Christians, are often targeted through draconian blasphemy laws. Pakistan’s Penal Code punishes insulting Islam and the Islamic prophet Muhammad with life and death penalty. Christians and those of other faiths were arrested and imprisoned on charges of blasphemy for allegedly attempting to convert Muslims.

Originally published on: Christian Daily International