Controversial Islamic preacher and Indian fugitive Zakir Naik has once again found himself at the centre of a heated debate following a tense exchange with a young Pakistani woman during a recent public address in Karachi. Naik, known for his polarizing views, was addressing a large crowd at Bagh Jinnah on Saturday evening, where thousands, including men and women, gathered to hear his sermon. However, the event took an unexpected turn when a question from the audience sparked a fiery back-and-forth that has since gone viral on social media.
The woman, identified as Palwasha Shaharzad from Lakki Marwat, a conservative town in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, bravely posed a question that immediately caught the attention of the crowd. Speaking candidly, she challenged Naik with concerns that resonate with many. “In my town, religious values are deeply entrenched,” she began. “Men observe the teachings of Islam with unwavering dedication, and women are largely confined to their homes. So how is it that despite this, issues like drug addiction, adultery, paedophilia, and usury still exist and even flourish in societies that claim to strictly follow Islamic principles?”
Palwasha’s bold question seemed to ignite an immediate reaction from Zakir Naik. Visibly displeased, he swiftly dismissed the premise of her argument. His tone, sharp and defensive, left no room for negotiation. “You must retract your statement,” Naik demanded, asserting that it was contradictory to associate Islamic societies with such moral failings. According to Naik, the very nature of an Islamic society, one that follows the true teachings of the faith, would never allow for such behaviours to take root.
He went further, suggesting that Palwasha’s question was the result of external influences and distorted perspectives. “What you are describing is not an Islamic society,” Naik retorted, pointing to what he believed were negative portrayals of Muslim communities in the media. He insinuated that Palwasha’s understanding of the situation had likely been shaped by propaganda meant to tarnish the image of Islam and its adherents.
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The tension in the air was palpable, with the audience split in their reaction. Some appeared to side with Palwasha, recognizing the validity of her concerns, while others rallied behind Naik, believing he was right to protect the sanctity of Islamic values. The sharp exchange didn’t end there, however. Naik continued to press his point, arguing that problems like drug addiction and immorality are societal issues rather than religious ones, and to attribute them to a faith as vast as Islam was, in his view, unfair and misleading.
As clips of the exchange began circulating online, the incident quickly became a hot topic of discussion. Social media platforms exploded with reactions, dividing people along ideological lines. Critics of Zakir Naik accused him of sidestepping the real issues and failing to address the root causes of the problems Palwasha highlighted. They argued that by dismissing her concerns outright, Naik was missing an opportunity to engage in a meaningful conversation about the complexities of modern Islamic societies.
One Twitter user commented, “Zakir Naik’s response was evasive. These are real issues that need real solutions, not just deflection.” Another added, “Palwasha’s question was valid. Ignoring these problems only makes them worse.”
On the other hand, Naik’s supporters were quick to defend his stance, with many asserting that he was right to protect the image of Islam from being tarnished by the actions of a few individuals. “You can’t blame Islam for the moral failings of people,” one social media user wrote. “Zakir Naik stood his ground, and I respect him for it.”
The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and other extremist groups in Pakistan have targeted Chinese workers in recent years, often citing grievances related to the perceived exploitation of local resources and labour. While this latest attack has drawn widespread condemnation from both the Pakistani government and the international community, it also serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing violence and instability in certain regions of Pakistan.
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