Dr. Zakir Naik Responds to Stage Incident in Islamabad

While attending a ceremony, Dr. Naik left the stage after young girls were called up to receive shields from him. The incident occurred at the conclusion of the program, where he was invited as a special guest at Pakistan Sweet Home, an orphanage. Despite the attention the event garnered, Dr. Naik expressed his discomfort with the situation.

During his speech at the Governor House in Karachi on October 5, he reflected on the recent incident and clarified his position. He stated, “These girls are non-mahram to me, and I cannot hand them shields.” This comment sparked a wave of criticism on social media, prompting a response from the scholar during his address at the Governor House.

Dr. Naik shared that he was invited to meet the orphaned children and, despite his busy schedule, agreed to attend for just ten minutes. However, he observed that the focus shifted to photo sessions, sidelining the children he was there to support. He emphasized that when women were invited onto the stage, he raised concerns about the nature of the invitation, noting, “They were all adults, yet the organizers insisted on referring to them as ‘girls.’”

He further elaborated, “According to Islamic teachings, I cannot touch or interact with any girl who has reached maturity. During my speech, a number of adult girls came on stage, which made me uncomfortable.”

This incident highlights the complexities surrounding cultural and religious sensitivities in public engagements. For more information about Dr. Zakir Naik’s visit and his discussions, you can refer to the official government website, which provides updates on various events and public engagements in the country.