‘They are eligible for marriage’: In a Pakistani orphanage, Zakir Naik says orphaned girls cannot be called daughters

Controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik sparked controversy when he abruptly left the stage on Wednesday during an event organized by the Pakistan Sweet Home Foundation, which supports orphaned girls.

Naik was invited to present awards to young orphaned girls, but she left the hall when the host called them to congratulate them.

The incident occurred when the announcer called the girls “daughters.” Naik said it was inappropriate for the announcer to call the girls his “daughters”.

“You cannot touch them or call them daughters,” he said, citing the fact that girls were considered “non-mahram.”

In Islamic terminology, “non-mahrams” refers to people who are not closely related and therefore eligible to marry.

According to a Pakistani newspaper, Zakir Naik is scheduled to deliver a series of public speeches in major cities of Pakistan, including Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore. Tribune. Apart from his speeches, Naik is expected to lead and address Friday prayer gatherings during his visit.

Naik was given a red carpet welcome by the Pakistani government. The preacher later met Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar before meeting Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Naik has been in Malaysia since 2016 due to the initiation of legal proceedings against him by the Indian National Investigation Agency (NIA). The NIA charged him under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and various sections of the Indian Penal Code (now known as Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita).

This action stemmed from the Dhaka terror attack in July 2016, during which one of the perpetrators admitted on his YouTube channel that Naik’s sermons had influenced him.

India has requested Naik’s extradition to face charges, but Malaysia has not yet complied with the request.