MALANG — Two religious community organizations have no objections to scholar Dr. Zakir Naik delivering a lecture in Malang City. However, they acknowledge certain agreed-upon guidelines to avoid causing horizontal conflicts.
The head of Muhammadiyah’s Malang City regional board, Abdul Haris, stated that he urges all parties to think openly and respond maturely. However, he admitted that academically, there is no issue with Zakir Naik’s teachings.
“We need maturity, meaning differences do not always have to be problematic. Zakir Naik’s lectures may be seen as controversial for non-Muslims. Academically, there is no problem—we must consider the social conditions,” said Abdul Haris when contacted on Wednesday night (9/7/2025).
According to him, Zakir Naik’s lectures do not mock or provoke but present rational arguments. He encourages all parties, including those from Islamic and non-Islamic backgrounds, to think openly and accept differences.
“This event should not lead to conflict or worsen tensions. It is a learning process. Tolerance means acknowledging differences. Without that foundation, building tolerance is difficult. Let differences exist as variations. What matters is our readiness to embrace diversity and openness,” he explained.
On the other hand, the head of Malang City’s Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) branch, Isroqunnajah, stated that they have never formally opposed Zakir Naik’s presence. Moreover, the organizing committee has agreed to fulfill certain conditions for his lecture.
“Earlier, I was asked to attend on behalf of MUI, and I conveyed personally—not in an official forum—that NU has never obstructed, prevented, or rejected his event,” said Isroqunnajah, also known as Gus Is.
Although he acknowledged that some parties accept while others reject Zakir Naik’s presence, the committee assured that measures would be taken, such as filtering potentially controversial questions and shortening the lecture duration. Additionally, Zakir Naik has already arrived in Malang City.
“Some accept, and some reject. The concern is that his presence might harm harmony in Malang, which is the most rational reason, even if it’s speculative since we don’t yet know the outcome,” he said.
