Controversial Islamic Preacher Zakir Naik Sparks Outrage with Comments on Women

Islamic preacher Zakir Naik has sparked widespread controversy with his recent comments regarding women, which many have labeled as demeaning and derogatory. Speaking on social media, Naik suggested that unmarried women become “public property,” attracting criticism from various quarters.

Naik, who has been associated with contentious remarks in the past, commented on Islamic teachings regarding marriage. He implied that it is not objectionable for women to marry already married men. “If a woman doesn’t marry,” he said, “she ends up being seen as a ‘bazaar aurat,'” a term which translates to ‘market woman,’ thereby implying lack of respect in society without marriage.

The Islamic preacher’s statements have generated significant backlash, particularly on social media, where many users have expressed outrage. Critics argue that his comments reflect a deep-seated misogyny and are harmful to women’s rights. “Naik’s views reveal his disdain for women,” argued one social media critic.

This controversy follows longstanding allegations against Naik of promoting hate speech and money laundering, which led the Indian government to pursue legal actions against him. Naik left India in 2016 and has since resided in Malaysia, avoiding return due to fear of prosecution.

In the midst of these developments, Naik is currently visiting Pakistan, where he is scheduled to deliver lectures in cities such as Islamabad, Karachi, and Lahore. His statements during this visit have quickly spread across social platforms, intensifying the debate.

Many see Naik’s remarks as indicative of outdated and harmful attitudes toward the role of women in society. “Respectable women prefer to be married,” he asserted, further arguing that marrying a married man is preferable for unmarried women as it allegedly offers them more respect than staying single.

In response to these remarks, numerous individuals have criticized the apparent endorsement of Naik’s stance by hosting countries, with some specifically targeting Pakistan for seemingly accommodating such views.

The controversy even touched upon political figures, with some supporters expressing gratitude to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for preventing Naik from propagating similar ideas within India. There is a strong public call for India to maintain its ban on Naik’s entry into the country.