‘Eligible For Marriage’: In Pakistan Orphanage, Zakir Naik Says Orphaned Girls Can’t Be Referred To As Daughters

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

Naik was invited to present awards to the young orphaned girls but exited the venue when the host called them for felicitation.

The incident occurred when the announcer referred to the girls as “daughters”. Naik said it was inappropriate for the announcer to refer to the girls as his “daughters”.

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

In Islamic terminology, “non-mahrams” refers to individuals who are not closely related and are thus eligible for marriage.

Zakir Naik is scheduled to deliver a series of public speeches in major Pakistani cities, including Islamabad, Karachi, and Lahore, as reported by Pakistani newspaper The Tribune. In addition to his talks, Naik is expected to lead and address Friday prayer congregations during his visit.

Naik was accorded a red carpet welcome by the Pakistani government. The preacher later met deputy prime minister Ishaq Dar ahead of his meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

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

This action stemmed from the July 2016 Dhaka terror attack, where one of the perpetrators confessed to being influenced by Naik’s sermons on his YouTube channel.

India has sought Naik’s extradition to face charges, but Malaysia has yet to comply with this request.