The President Bishop of the Church of Pakistan, Reverend Azad Marshall has raised serious concerns over remarks made by controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik during his recent visit to Pakistan.
In a letter to President Asif Ali Zardari, Marshall expressed the Christian community’s dismay over Naik’s comments, which discredited their faith and caused significant religious offense.
The Pakistani government invited Naik as a state guest, and he concluded his tour last week after delivering a series of public lectures in major cities, including Karachi, Islamabad, and Lahore.
His speeches, however, have sparked controversy, particularly among Pakistan’s Christian minority.
Reverend Marshall stated that Naik’s remarks openly questioned the legitimacy of Christian beliefs and dismissed the authority of their sacred texts.
He also added that the comments undermined the theological credibility of Christian pastors and scholars.
In his letter Marshall wrote, “Zakir Naik’s public addresses have caused significant distress within our (Christian) community, as he openly questioned the authenticity of our faith, discredited our sacred texts, and made statements that undermine the beliefs of Christian pastors and scholars.”
Call For Government Action
The letter also criticised the Pakistani government’s lack of a formal response or apology for Naik’s comments, which Reverend Marshall said has further exacerbated the Christian community’s sense of marginalisation.
Despite assurances from the government about fostering religious harmony, the silence on this issue has intensified feelings of exclusion among Christians.
Marshall urged the government to take immediate and effective steps to prevent similar incidents from recurring, especially those that occur under the sponsorship of the state.
He also referenced the vision of Pakistan’s founding father, Mohammad Ali Jinnah, who in his 1947 address to the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan emphasized religious freedom and equality for all citizens.
Marshall contended that Naik’s comments violated core principles and criticized the airing of such views in public forums without allowing Christian leaders a chance to respond.
Marshall further added, “Zakir Naik’s comments were done 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.”
Growing Concerns Over Religious Freedom
Zakir Naik’s visit to Pakistan marked his first trip in over 30 years, with his last visit occurring in 1992.
His return, amid ongoing allegations of hate speech and incitement to extremism, has reignited concerns about religious tolerance in the country.
Naik, who fled India in 2016 to escape charges of money laundering and promoting religious extremism, has since granted permanent residency in Malaysia.
Despite his controversial background, the Pakistani government extended an official invitation for his month-long tour.
The Christian leaders’ letter to both President Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reflects a broader anxiety among Pakistan’s religious minorities, who have faced increasing challenges in recent years.
Cases of religious violence, accusations of blasphemy, and societal discrimination against non-Muslims have been well-documented, leading to growing fears of further marginalisation.
Marshall’s call for government action resonates with other Christian leaders in Pakistan, who seek a formal acknowledgment of their grievances and steps toward fostering a more inclusive environment.
They urge the Pakistani government to uphold its commitments to religious harmony. They also seek assurance that the government will respect and protect all communities, regardless of faith, from inflammatory rhetoric.
The incident involving Zakir Naik underscores the delicate balance Pakistan faces in managing its religious diversity.
The Christian community, along with other minorities, hopes that the government will take swift and concrete measures to prevent such divisive statements from fueling further tension in the country.
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