By Shafee Ahmed Ko, TwoCircles.net
Chennai: In a neutral effort to probe the “Peace” controversial meet of Dr.Zakir Naik with his remarks to Yazeed, Prophet Muhammad (sal), Osama Bin Laden and, his concept of teaching Islamic principles teaching the Muslim students at his Islamic International School in Chennai in relation with people of the alien faiths (other than Muslims). This correspondent’s earnest and conscientious pains to contact the key spokespersons, during the “Peace Meet” in Chennai failed.
Nevertheless, in order to accomplish the news story of Dr.Zakir Naik’s controversies, finally this correspondent, after a constant knocks, was successful in meeting Mr.R.K.Noor Mohammad, a scholar from Madina University, an official of Islamic International School in Chennai which is run, conceived, and developed by Dr. Zakir Naik. The summarized conversation between this correspondent and Mr.Noor Muhammad is here:
Interview on 19 Jan 2010 (11.15 am to 12 noon)
Venue: Office of the correspondent: Islamic International School, Chennai.
Questions from the Correspondent : Dr.Zakir Naik is under controversy with regards to his statements on (1).Yazid, (2)Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and (3) Osama bin Laden, and (4) teaching the students of his Islamic International School, Chennai not to greet the people of non Muslim’s festivals. The request was proposed to elaborate one after one.
Answers (Mr.M.K.Noor Mohammed)
It’s good that I am meeting a journalist. Most of the Muslims are ignorant of journalism and our boys and girls must be trained in this field. Insha Allah.
1. Dr.Zakir Naik on Yazeed:
During a “Peace Meet” in Mumbai on November 2007, at the question answer session, a non Muslim desired a specific clarification on Yazid. While answering his question, in hurry Dr.Naik uttered “Raziallahu Anhu” instinctively by “slip of his tongue”. In the in the meantime he identified the error resulted due to inattention.
Nevertheless, Dr.Zakir Naik was quick to point out stating that,” I have read so in some books. I am ready give in writing that I won’t commit such faults. Will those people furnish a written assurance that they will not abuse companions of Prophet Muhammad such as Hazrath Abu Backer (R),Hazrath Umar (R),Hazrath Usman (R) and Hazrath Aayish (Raz.anha)?”
(Mr. Noor Muhammad offers a bunch of papers supporting this argument which included Urdu and English dailies from Mumbai-Times of India, Urdu Times Mumbai, and Roznama Rashtria Sahara Mumbai et al)
2. Dr.Zakir Naik on Prophet Muhammad (sal)
“How can a believing Muslim ask help from dead person even if that person be Prophet Muhammad (sal)?” rebutted Mr.Noor Mohammad. I hope you agree with me? Dr.Naik had tendered a written apology on the basis that if there could be any “slip of tongue” that he (Dr.Naik) would not resort to such thing. (Mr.Noor Mohammad gives copy of written apology dated 12.11.08 at 1.35pm) PS: This copy had been published in twocircles.net.
3.Dr.Zakir Naik on Fight against Enemies of Islam and Osama bin Laden.
Dr.Zakir Naik has spoken in the intense and explicit context of a fight or enemies of Islam. Of course, Dr.Naik did say that he supported those who fight against the enemies of Islam. He (Dr.Naik) does not know whether Osama bin Laden is a terrorist or he trains terrorists. But if Osama bin Laden’s fight is against enemies of Islam, Dr.Naik said that, “I am with him”.
(Mr.Noor Mohammad asks this correspondent to search for NDTV YouTube video session, “Walk and Talk” where this subject is discussed in detail)
4. Dr.Zakir Naik’s Concept not to greet people of non Muslims on their festivals.
“We teach all the students in our school the etiquette of neighbourhood and how to treat nicely the non Muslim guests who would be at our homes”
He goes further on to say that, “Please don’t take this as from Dr.Naik”, asks Mr.Noor Mohammad the correspondent.
Mohammad begins that, “But on this issue, I am very firm and I do teach myself in my classes that Muslims should not greet the people of non Muslims faiths in their festivals such as Christmas, Pongal, and Diwali etc. How can a Muslim greet “Happy Christmas” which will be a direct connotation or a determined reference more similar to “praying expression” to Jesus Christ to whom we don’t believe?” .So will be Pongal and Diwali. Mr. Noor Mohammad is replete with or deeply permeates with Holy Quran’s verses to support his school of thought taking Sura 2:173-Sura 5:3-Sura 6:145-Sura 16-115.