Dr. Zakir Naik Faces Backlash After Declining to Present Awards to Orphaned Girls at Charity Event
Prominent Islamic scholar Dr. Zakir Naik recently found himself at the center of a controversy after abruptly leaving the stage during a charity event for orphans in Karachi. The incident took place at a Pakistan Sweet Home event, a foundation that supports orphaned children.
Dr. Naik was invited to present awards to children, but when girls were called on stage to receive shields from him, he declined to interact, citing religious reasons. He stated that, as non-mahram individuals, it was not appropriate for him to present the awards to them. The moment was captured on video and quickly went viral, sparking heated reactions on social media.
Responding to the backlash, Dr. Naik addressed the situation during a public meeting at the Governor House in Sindh. He expressed his surprise at the criticism, explaining that he had been invited to meet orphaned children but found the focus shifted to a photo session instead. “I agreed to attend despite my busy schedule, but the orphans were left behind while the focus shifted to photographs,” he said.
Dr. Naik further explained that although the girls were referred to as “daughters” by the orphanage’s chairman, he felt it was inappropriate under Islamic principles to have any physical interaction with non-mahram individuals, regardless of age.
Reflecting on his experience, Dr. Naik also drew a comparison to his interactions in India, where he said boundaries regarding gender interactions are more respected, particularly among his Hindu audiences. “I was shocked to receive criticism for my actions. What has happened to this country?” he questioned, urging the public to reflect on the values they uphold.
The incident has sparked a wider debate about cultural and religious norms surrounding gender interactions in Pakistan. While some have praised Dr. Naik for standing firm in his religious beliefs, others have criticized him for being overly strict and out of touch with modern societal expectations.
Dr. Naik emphasized the importance of maintaining religious boundaries, asserting that while it is permissible to refer to girls as “daughters,” physical interaction remains prohibited according to Islamic teachings.
