Pakistan News: Now the people of Pakistan are angry with controversial religious preacher Zakir Naik. Bishop Rev. Dr. Azad Marshall, President of the Pakistani Church Synod, in a recent letter to President Asif Ali Zardari, expressed his concern about the comments made by Dr. Zakir Naik about the Christian community and their faith during his visit.

In the letter, he also criticized the government for not expressing regret over Naik's remarks. Dr Naik's visit to Pakistan as a state guest concluded last week. However, the controversial Islamic preacher's visit was mired in controversy due to several of his statements.

Naik's speeches upset the Christian community.

According to a report in the Pakistan newspaper Dawn, in the letter, Dr. Marshall says, 'Dr. Zakir Naik's public speeches have caused great distress to our (Christian) community, as he openly questioned the authenticity of our faith, defamed our holy scriptures, and made statements that undermined the beliefs of Christian priests and scholars.'

also criticized the government

The letter said that Dr Naik's remarks not only caused 'religious insult' but also undermined the national pride of all Pakistanis, regardless of their faith. The letter also criticized the government for its lack of formal expression of regret over Dr. Naik's remarks as it further exacerbated the 'sense of marginalization' felt by the Christian community despite the government's repeated assurances of maintaining religious harmony and mutual respect among all.

Naik's comments were made in open forums.

In the letter, Dr. Marshall appealed to the government to take immediate and effective steps to prevent such 'divisive and harmful' events, especially those supported by the state, from happening in the future. Dr. Marshall said, 'Dr. Zakir Naik's comments were made in open forums, where our clergy and scholars were not allowed to properly respond or correct his incorrect views and information.'

Reference to the Constitution of Pakistan

Dr. Marshall told Dawn that as citizens of Pakistan, the fundamental rights of minorities are guaranteed under Article 20 of the constitution, which states, “Every citizen shall have the right to profess, practice and propagate his religion.” He also cited Article 36, which “obliges the State to protect the legitimate rights of minorities.”

Naik is a wanted fugitive in India.

Dr Marshall appealed to President Zardari to take serious steps to ensure that these constitutional rights are upheld and not violated by anyone. Naik is a wanted fugitive in India who has been living in Malaysia for several years.

In 2017, Bangladesh authorities claimed that one of the attackers on a cafe in Dhaka, in which 22 people were killed, was inspired by Zakir Naik. The same year, India's NIA also accused Naik of indulging in unlawful activities and promoting religious hatred. Naik has since been living in Malaysia as the government there has given him protection.