Kuala Lumpur: Islamic preacher Zakir Naik has kicked off yet another controversy by extending support to the act of demolition of a Hindu temple in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province.
Naik, who is known for issuing inflammatory speeches, has said that Islamic nations must not allow the structures of other religions to be built on their land.
A mob of angry extremist had set ablaze a temple in Pakistan last week. The video showed thousands of people surrounding the religious structure, some climbing to its walls and some inside it. Another video showed the angry mob breaking the glass fitted to the walls of the temple.
Pakistan’s neighbouring country India, that has a Hindu majority population, issued a stern response to Islamabad over the incident and demanded strongest possible action.
Later, Pakistan PM Imran Khan ordered a probe in the incident and 30 people were arrested by the local police.
This is not the first time when Zakir Naik has issued such controversial statements.
Earlier, in April, Mr Naik had criticised Imran Khan for granting land for the construction of a Hindu temple in the Islamic country.
Naik had said that the act of granting land for religious activities of any other religion is Haram (forbidden) in Islam.