The Union Cabinet on Tuesday gave a go-ahead to declare the NGO run by controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik as an “unlawful association” which disturbed social and communal harmony and placed it under a ban for five years with immediate effect.

Why do we defy all logic when it comes to our religion? There’s absolutely no harm in following someone, but the only thing we request you is to never follow someone “blindly”. You must question any preaching and if in your all senses and conscience, you feel all’s good, go ahead!

We would like to clarify that we do not intend to hurt any religious beliefs or sentiments. Our attempt is to encourage you to question your own self before believing in any statement made by anyone. It is important because, statements influence and shape your mindset. The logical reasoning and the counter questions asked in the article are for Dr. Naik and the statements he had made his is speeches. We have not and do not want to question any religion, religious scriptures or religious beliefs because The Logical Indian firmly believes in peaceful coexistence where every individual has the right to practise his/her belief without intruding into others’. There may be many positive messages of Dr. Zakir Naik’s speeches, but in this article we have discussed only the messages which we feel, goes against the notion of coexistence. Understanding the fact that if a positive message can inspire millions, a negative one can impact equally. Any positive message can not negate the negative ones.

Again, at The Logical Indian, we never adovocate/propogate/preach any religion except for the religion of “Humanity”. We are firm believers of love, compassion and coexistence. Whenever the circumstances demand, we shall always question and raise our voice against any person or a community irrespective of the religion they may belong to. Statements made by Dr Zakir Naik , coupled with the logical understanding are below –

1. ❝ If he is fighting the enemies of Islam, I’m for him. ❞ – on Osama Bin Laden

Logically Speaking: We all would want to understand, what is the definition of an enemy of Islam? As per a logical understanding, if I follow a religion, it does not make me an enemy of another religion. I just follow mine, and you follow yours.

2. ❝ If a criminal sees a policeman he is terrified, so for the criminal the policeman is a terrorist – in this context I say, every Muslim should be a terrorist. If he is terrorising a terrorist, he is following Islam. ❞

Logically Speaking: This statement affirms Dr. Naik’s disbelief in the court of law and encourages his followers to take the law into their hands. “Terrorising a terrorist, is following Islam” – we request Dr Naik to help us understand that – the millions of innocent lives which were taken in the name of religion so far, in which way were these innocents “terrorising” these terrorists?

3. ❝ Husbands can beat ‘lightly’ their wives. ❞

Logically Speaking: Beating is violence. Violence in no form or magnitude is acceptable, neither on wives nor on husbands.

4. ❝ As a last resort, suicide bombing can be used. ❞

Logically Speaking: That’s “PEACE” TV for you which can never instigate violence or inspire terrorists. Really?

5. ❝ Forget Muslims, even the Hindus should not say Vande Mataram because it says I bow down to my motherland. ❞

Logically Speaking: This statement compares one religion with another. The believers of the other religion mentioned in the statement may or may not agree with Dr Naik’s proof, but the question is if the practises or beliefs in one religion do not hurt the followers of other religion, then where’s the problem? Why can’t one be happy with one’s “best” religion and leave everyone else in peace with their respective “worst” religions? Comparisons will solve no purpose but to leave the followers of the other religions, enraged.

6. ❝ Even in Hindu scriptures it is written that for basic concentration, idol worship can be used but for a higher level of concentration you don’t need idols. We Muslims have already attained the higher level of concentration. ❞

Logically Speaking: This statement emphasises a sense of “superiority” of one religion over another. The dangers of the sense of superiority are discussed later in details.

7. ❝ Converting from other religion to Islam is most welcome but converting from Islam to other religion is wrong. ❞

Logically Speaking: A blatant example of hypocrisy. Also, this statement disseminates a sense of “superiority” of one religion over another. The dangers of the sense of superiority are discussed later in details. [Note: The Logical Indian condemns the act of conversion in the context of any religion.]

8. ❝ On destroying Buddha statues in Afghanistan – Whatever there in Afghanistan is Afghanistan’s property, – if they like it they’ll keep it if they don’t like it they’ll destroy it. ❞

Logically Speaking: This statement affirms Dr. Naik’s…