Letter to Editor
THIS is what happens when poisonous tongues are targeted with slander and fake news.
Such is the case with controversial global level celebrity preacher Zakir Naik who was subject to fake news circulating online that he had contracted a deadly disease in AIDs (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome).
BREAKING : After Radical Islamic Preacher Zakir Naik diagnosed with AIDS and hospitalised in Malaysia, his wife Farhat Naik and his daughter Zikra Naik also found HIV positive. pic.twitter.com/vvZOLtyTV6
— Baba Banaras™ (@RealBababanaras) September 9, 2025
The very fact that the news spread quickly and invited plenty of nasty comments is indicative of the preacher’s controversial status.
Firstly, the founder of Islamic Research Foundation and Peace TV is persona non grata in many countries, including the UK and Canada.
He remains a fugitive in his native India but somehow snagged a safe haven in Malaysia which has incredibly granted him PR (permanent resident) status.
This “preacher” who is considered a “terrorist threat” in many countries is welcomed into multi-cultural Malaysia and is celebrated by VVIPs who flock to his ceramah.
Secondly, the 59-year-old is controversial for the very nature of the pronouncements made in the name of religion. These include questioning the rights of non-Malay citizens living in Malaysia, suggesting that they do NOT belong here.
The fake news has been quickly dismissed by the preacher’s legal rep. “As I told you, it’s rubbish, fake news and absolutely no truth in it,” Akberdin Abdul Kadir told Malaysiakini, adding that Zakir is now abroad.
However, what this little bout of falsity highlights is just how very unpopular this character is and how he should NOT be allowed to spew toxic content into Malaysia’s public sphere. Things are bad enough as it is.
Some commenters could not hide their glee at this “news” though one Malaysiakini subscriber did remind against emulating the preacher’s example in spreading toxic content.
Sarcastic and cruel jibes were aplenty on the news portal’s Facebook feed, denoting many were wishing the news to be true.
One concerned citizen simply asked why the investigations into Zakir’s inflammatory remarks are taking so long when Malaysians simply cannot forget his misdeeds?
However, the fact remains that Zakir has his fan base here in Malaysia as seen from comments on social media.
As a concerned citizen of this fair land, surely this dangerous individual cannot be allowed to continue stirring racial and religious strife in Malaysia.
The preacher’s continued residence in this country is a black eye to harmony-loving Malaysians. His utterances are an affront to the mutual respect and spirit of give-and-take which have long defined this nation.
Using Zakir as an unofficial spokesman to push a right-wing agenda in Malaysia is a very dangerous game to play. The consequences can be long-lasting – or worse – irreversible.
Surely, there are more fitting and benevolent preachers to spread teachings of Islam here in Malaysia instead of one that seeks to denigrate other religions.
In the meantime, this concerned citizen hopes that the news is untrue and that the preacher is NOT suffering from any life-threatening ailments. It would be unbecoming to wish another human being ill-tidings, correct Zakir? – Sept 10, 2025
Peace-loving Malaysian
Johor Baru
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
