Dubai: A huge late night crowd in Dubai stayed put for hours into early Friday morning to hear a religious lecture by popular Indian Muslim speaker Dr Zakir Naik.
More than 5,000 people packed Zabeel Hall at Dubai World Trade Centre to hear Dr Naik discuss Muslim identity.
In the question-answer session, seven non-Muslims converted to Islam after their queries on Islam were answered by Dr Naik, 48.
The event, held as part of the 13th edition of the annual Ramadan Forum, lasted from around 11.30pm on Thursday to about 2.30am on Friday.
Mumbai-based Dr Naik was in town for his lecture titled ‘If the Label Shows Your Intent, Wear It’.
He said every religion has “a label or sign” that identifies it and Muslims “should not be shy or apologetic” to wear theirs.
“If you’re proud to be a Muslim, you should look like a Muslim,” Dr Naik said.
The doctor-turned-preacher added that Muslim men should keep a full beard, wear a Muslim cap, and not let trousers trail below the ankle.
Muslim women, meanwhile, should wear a hijab (head cover) and an abaya (outer gown), or a similar dress that “covers them properly”, he added.
Dr Naik quoted the Quran and sayings of Prophet Mohammad (peace be on him) in favour of the dress code.
He said though “many Muslims feel it may not suit them”, the Islamic attire “opens up doors for you to speak to non-Muslims. It’s an opportunity to speak about Islam.”
Dr Naik – a specialist in interfaith dialogue who can quote profusely from the Christian Bible and the Hindu Veda – is known for his spotless white prayer cap, grey beard, suit, and trousers that fall short of the ankles.
He said he remains unfazed by people who make fun of his appearance.
“It’s ok, I’ll get more sawab [spiritual reward for patience]. I’ve met kings and presidents of the world, I’ve never had a problem. Believe me, if you’re knowledgeable [about Islam], these things won’t deter you.”
Dr Naik said the idea behind the “label” was to be modest, humble, work righteous deeds, and be easily identifiable as Muslims – so people can associate goodness with Islam.
“My grandparents used to tell me, 40 years ago in Mumbai when people wanted to hire a taxi or buy groceries, they would look for a Muslim with a beard and cap. ‘This one won’t cheat us’, they knew,” he said.
Dr Naik conceded that some Muslims in Islamic attire held extreme views, which shaped some non-Muslims’ views on Islam.
“I would blame the Muslims for that [misrepresentation]. Of course, there are black sheep. But why are they portrayed as the examples of Muslims? It’s a ploy or trick of the media.”
Dr Naik is also the president of the Islamic Research Foundation in Mumbai, India’s biggest city, and a founder of Peace TV, an Islamic channel with a large global following.
On Saturday night, the forum is to host a lecture in Tagalog on ‘Islam: Past, Present and Future’. It will be co-presented by Omar Penalber and Nuh Caparino.
The forum is organised by the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) and held under the patronage of Shaikh Ahmad Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation.
The 12-day forum ends on Monday.
