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Media’s propaganda against Islam needs to be countered

DUBAI — If every rich person in the world paid the stipulated 2.5 per cent zakaat, the world would not suffer from poverty, hunger or other fractious problems, said Dr Zakir Naik, one of the most celebrated Islamic scholars around the world.

Speaking exclusively to Khaleej Times on the sidelines of the 9^th Ramadan Forum lecture, Dr Naik, well known for his charismatic oratory and mesmerising lectures, said, “I always make it a point to speak about the similarities in Islam and other world religions. The only major difference is that besides preaching good things, Islam teaches us how to achieve a state of goodness.”

Dr Naik, an expert in comparative religion, has delivered over 1,300 public lectures over the last 14 years.

“With my talks and seminars around the world, I try to clear misconceptions that people have formed about Islam and Muslims,” he said.

“Coming to terms with people of other religions is an important thing. I find it easier to speak about differences between Islam and other religions, but that will not bring us closer. It will only cause differences and distance people from each other,” noted Dr Naik, the founder of the Islamic Research Foundation (IRF), a registered non-profit public charitable trust.

Dr Naik is also the president of Peace TV, an Islamic satellite television network broadcasting globally to an audience of over 50 million people.

Commenting on the role of media in propagating religion, he said, “To a very large extent, media has indulged in a negative propaganda against Islam. And we Muslims have not used the power of media to counter this negative publicity.”

Responding to his critics, he said, “There are a lot of people who do not agree with what I say and do. These are people who feel insecure about their viewpoints as they sense a threat from the clear message presented in my talks, which are a reflection of the message in the Holy Quran.”

Advising young Muslims to understand the message contained in the Holy Quran, he said, “Read the Holy Quran with understanding. If you 
don’t understand it, read the translation. Make an effort to implement the Islamic teachings in your everyday life.”

Titled “Religion in the Right Perspective”, Dr Naik’s lecture saw an attendance of thousands of people, drawn from various communities, who thronged the Al Twar tent to hear him speaking.

news@khaleejtimes.com

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