VP Kalla Unrepentant After Meeting With Hardline Indian Islamic Preacher
Jakarta. Vice President Jusuf Kalla met with Indian Islamic preacher Zakir Naik — under investigation in his home country for promoting enmity against other religions, in his capacity as the chair of the Indonesian Mosque Council, not as the vice president of Indonesia, his press secretary Mohamad Oemar said on Tuesday (07/03).
Indonesians have taken to social media to criticize the meeting, arguing that Kalla as a government official should not associate himself with the hardline preacher.
Others defended Kalla, saying the hysteria over the meeting with the popular preacher has been an unwarranted over-reaction.
"The vice president met Mr. Naik since he is the chairman of the Indonesian Mosque Council. He was accompanied by the other leaders of the council when he met Mr. Naik," Oemar said.
The Indian National Investigation Agency (NIA) in November declared Naik’s organization – the Islamic Research Foundation – as an "unlawful association."
As president of the foundation, Naik was accused of "promoting enmity and hatred between different religious groups in India through his public speeches and lectures on various platforms."
The agency also said Naik has been inciting Muslim youths and terrorists in India and overseas to commit terrorist acts. He is banned from entering a number of countries, including the United Kingdom and Canada.
State news agency Antara quoted Kalla as saying on Tuesday: "If it's true that [Naik] has been assisting ISIS [the Islamic State], he should've been arrested a long time ago. But no, he can still travel freely everywhere. So, he must have no connection [with the Islamic State]."
The Embassy of India in Jakarta did not respond to the Jakarta Globe’s inquiry on Naik's visit to Indonesia.
Antara reported in March last year that Kalla had wanted to bring Naik to Indonesia since he is a prolific writer on Islamic teachings and an expert in interfaith issues.
Naik is scheduled to deliver a series of speeches during his visit to Indonesia between March 31 and April 9.
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