In Letter To Pakistani President, Christian Leader Dr. Azad Marshall Questions 'State Visit' Of Exiled Indian Preacher Dr. Zakir Naik: 'His Public Addresses... Have Caused Significant Distress Among Our Community, As He Openly Questioned The Authenticity Of Our Faith, Discredited Our Sacred Scriptures'

On a month-long tour of Pakistan as the official guest of the state until October 28, 2024, exiled Indian preacher Dr. Zakir Naik, who is wanted in India and known for stoking inter-religious tension in his sermons and speeches, has caused concern among Pakistan's religious minorities, especially Christians, because of his statements about their religion.

In recent decades, Dr. Zakir Naik: has said that U.S. President George W. Bush executed 9/11,[1] justified suicide bombings,[2] worked with global Islamist leaders to build a multi-purpose proselytization center in Norway,[3] argued that slaves in Islam are treated better than modern-day prisoners of war;[4] preached to soccer fans at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar and converted some of them to Islam,[5] described George Washington and Benjamin Franklin as terrorists;[6] called former president Bush the "world's number one terrorist,"[7]  justified polygamy by saying it balances the surplus of women in New York brought on by the prevalence of homosexuality;[8] and said that people in the West are selling their daughters in the name of women's liberation.[9]

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif (left) welcomes Dr. Zakir Naik (right)

During his month-long tour of Pakistan, which began September 20, 2024, as the guest of the state of Pakistan, Dr. Zakir Naik met with the country's top leaders, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, many Islamic religious scholars, and had many other meetings. Welcoming Dr. Naik to Pakistan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised his "exceptional efforts in spreading the true teachings of the Holy Quran and Hadith, besides promoting Islamic values worldwide" and said "the entire Ummah was proud of him for projecting the real image of Islam across the world."[10]

Pakistan's Dawn media commented on an interview with Fereeha Idrees, a female host at GNN television, saying: "Dr. Zakir Naik... said further that if a man sees a woman in make-up on a television channel and there is no stir in his heart and mind, then in his mind that man is diseased, there is some problem with him. He should be taken to a hospital."[11]

During his events in different Pakistani towns and cities, Dr. Naik made adverse comments against Christians, details of which most Pakistani media networks did not publish. Pakistani Christian leaders "condemning Naik for his adverse remarks about the Christians and their faith during his visit here as a state guest."[12] On October 21, 2024, the Most Rev. Dr. Azad Marshall, President Bishop, Church of Pakistan & Bishop of Raiwind, Lahore, wrote a formal letter to President Asif Ali Zardari of Pakistan, drawing his attention to Dr. Zakir Naik's comments on his tour of Pakistan and saying they should not be permitted.

Dr. Zakir Naik (fourth from left) meets with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Following is the text of Dr. Azad Marshall's letter to President Asif Ali Zardari:[13]

"Subject: Concerns Regarding The Recent Visit Of Dr. Zakir Naik

"Your Excellency,

"I write to bring to your attention the serious concerns of the Christian community in Pakistan following the recent state visit of Dr. Zakir Naik. His public addresses during his visit have caused significant distress among our community, as he openly questioned the authenticity of our faith, discredited our sacred scriptures, and made statements that undermined the beliefs of Christian pastors and scholars. These actions were conducted in open forums, where our pastors and scholars were denied the opportunity to adequately respond or correct the misinformation spread by his ill-informed views.

"Furthermore, Dr. Naik has falsely discredited our national carrier [Pakistan International Airlines, for charging fee for excess baggage] and, in doing so, deeply wounded our sense of patriotism and hospitality, showing disrespect to Pakistan as a host nation. His remarks have caused not only religious offense but also undermined the national pride of all Pakistanis, irrespective of faith.

"As citizens of Pakistan, we believe that our fundamental rights, as enshrined and protected by the Constitution of Pakistan, have been violated. Under Article 20 of the Constitution, 'every citizen shall have the right to profess, practice, and propagate his religion,' and Article 36 obligates the state to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of minorities, including their due representation in federal and provincial services.

"Dr. Naik's remarks, along with the absence of an official expression of regret from the government, have intensified the sense of marginalization felt by our community, despite the government's repeated assurances of upholding religious harmony and mutual respect for all faiths. The Christian community continues to hold onto the hope that the government will adhere to the vision of Pakistan's founder [Muhammad Ali Jinnah], as expressed in his historic address to the first Constituent Assembly: 'You are free; you are free to go to your temples, you are free to go to your mosques, or any other place of worship in this State of Pakistan.'

"We respectfully urge the government to take immediate and effective steps to ensure that such divisive and harmful incidents, particularly those conducted under state sponsorship, do not recur. It is vital for the unity and peace of our nation that religious harmony and mutual respect among all communities are maintained and strengthened.

"We trust that this matter will receive your earnest consideration, and that steps will be taken to safeguard the rights of all citizens, as guaranteed by the Constitution, in accordance with the founding principles of Pakistan.

"Respectfully,

The Most Rev. Dr. Azad Marshall
President Bishop Church of Pakistan &
Bishop of Raiwind [Lahore]"