Zakir Naik dismisses AIDS rumours, labels claims fake, malicious

SHAH ALAM – Famous Islamic preacher Dr Zakir Naik has dismissed rumours circulating on social media that he was diagnosed with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), with his lawyer labelling the claims as completely baseless.

Speaking through his lawyer, Akberdin Abdul Kadir, Zakir called the allegations "rubbish" and "fake news," clarifying that there was no truth whatsoever to them.

Akberdin reaffirmed to local portal Malaysiakini that the claims were fabricated and malicious.

The rumour had alleged that Zakir was undergoing treatment for the disease at a private hospital in the Klang Valley, a claim his legal representative categorically denied.

According to Akberdin, the accusations were spread by irresponsible individuals attempting to smear Zakir's reputation due to his popularity and influence.

He added that the preacher was in good health when they last met.

The lawyer also revealed that Zakir was in the process of identifying those behind the false allegations before deciding on further action.

Zakir, an Indian national with permanent residency in Malaysia, is the founder of the Islamic Research Foundation (IRF).

Initially trained as a medical doctor, he left the field in 1991 to pursue Islamic preaching full-time.

Following legal issues in India, Zakir took up residence in Malaysia, where his presence has triggered both support and controversy.

In 2019, Zakir faced significant backlash after making remarks deemed offensive to Chinese and Indian Malaysians, which resulted in over 100 police reports.

He referred to Chinese Malaysians as "guests" and questioned the political loyalty of Indian Malaysians, which led to a temporary ban on his public speaking engagements.

Despite these controversies, Zakir remains a widely followed figure in Malaysia and in English-speaking countries, though he has been banned from entry in several nations due to concerns over his rhetoric.