Islamic scholar and preacher Dr. Zakir Naik recently shared the heartfelt reason behind his delayed visit to Pakistan. While he expressed a deep love for the country and a desire to visit soon, the ongoing political unrest has kept him from setting a date. In a casual yet candid conversation with Pakistani YouTuber Nadir Ali, Dr. Naik opened up about his life, career, and the struggles he faces in continuing his mission of spreading Islamic knowledge.
Speaking from his institute in Malaysia, Dr. Naik didn’t shy away from addressing the elephant in the room – his much-anticipated visit to Pakistan. “I love Pakistan and want to visit,” Dr. Naik said, but the current wave of protests in the country has made it difficult to plan. “It’s not the right time yet,” he admitted, but his hope to visit within the year remains strong.
Zakir Naik’s Special Connection to Pakistan
Dr. Naik revealed that his bond with Pakistan goes back to 1991 when he visited for the first time, though he wasn’t giving lectures at the time. He explained that during his years in India, he avoided traveling to Pakistan, fearing that his work could be misrepresented by the Indian government, potentially damaging his organizations and halting his preaching. “If I visited Pakistan then, they’d have accused me of links with ISI,” he shared. It wasn’t until 2016, after he left India, that his stance on visiting Pakistan changed. He had even planned a trip in 2020, but the pandemic forced him to cancel.
Still, despite the setbacks, Dr. Naik is optimistic about visiting soon. “I’m hopeful,” he shared with a smile, though he acknowledged the ongoing unrest as a major hurdle.
Dr. Naik’s Tense Relations with India
In a surprising revelation, Dr. Zakir Naik shared details about a secret meeting with a representative from India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, which took place just before India revoked Kashmir’s autonomy in 2019. The representative praised his work and encouraged him to return to India with full government support. However, Dr. Naik wasn’t quick to trust the offer. “I told them, ‘I won’t compromise on Islam, and I won’t take government money,’” he recalled.
Despite a long discussion, Dr. Naik remained suspicious about their true intentions. His suspicions were confirmed when he later found out the government wanted his support for the controversial decision on Kashmir. Without hesitation, Dr. Naik refused. “I couldn’t betray my Muslim brothers in Kashmir. Their freedom is their right, and I stand by them,” he firmly stated.
The Emotional Toll of Leaving India for Dr. Zakir Naik
During the conversation, Dr. Naik also reflected on the emotional toll of being forced to leave his homeland. “India is my home,” he shared, his voice tinged with sadness. “Leaving it was one of the hardest things I’ve done. I still miss it, but returning is nearly impossible now.” He expressed frustration over how his preaching, which promotes peace, has led to him being labeled as a threat by the Indian government. “They see me as the number one terrorist because of my work in Islamic preaching. If I go back, they’ll throw me in jail,” he said.
Despite the challenges, Dr. Zakir Naik continues his work from abroad, meeting with diplomats, particularly Pakistani ambassadors, who often seek him out in various countries. He remains hopeful that the situation will improve, allowing him to visit Pakistan and continue spreading his message of peace and unity.
For now, Dr. Zakir Naik’s visit to Pakistan remains on hold, but his connection with the country is stronger than ever. And while political hurdles may delay his journey, the scholar’s unwavering commitment to his mission is clear—whether in Pakistan or elsewhere, Dr. Naik will continue to share his teachings with the world.
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