World-Renowned Speaker On Islam To Make Brief Visit To NZ

Speaker’s two public lectures to openly discuss issues receiving constant media attention\

[Note: Venue updated in this release] now at Mahatma Gandhi Hall, 145 New North Road

(AUCKLAND, 20/08/04) - An international speaker is to deliver two public lectures on Islam in Auckland this month on the two main issues currently burning in our local media. The lectures, entitled “Terrorism and Jihad – An Islamic Perspective” and “Women in Islam – Protected Or Subjugated?” provide a rare opportunity to witness a world authority on Islam deal with the two challenging issues regularly surrounded by media attention and speculation. The lectures provide a chance for media and government officials as well as the general public to personally attend the talks and openly ask candid questions at the end on both issues, which will be held on the consecutive days of 24th & 25th August 2004.

Dr. Zakir Naik, a medical doctor of Indian origin, is known to be a dynamic speaker who tackles the difficult questions head on and addresses the awkward areas surrounding sensitive issues such as terrorism and women’s rights in Islam. A number of local Muslim associations have joined hands and taken the initiative to organise the short visit in response to international and local controversies surrounding both these volatile issues.

Islamic Resource Centre Chairperson, Maan Al-Zaher says forthright discussion on women’s issues in Islam was thought appropriate in light of recent media attention on the hijab and burqa both locally and abroad. This attention has led to varying comments and scrutiny amongst the media and has raised many unanswered questions both amongst the media and the general public. “Naik is a frank speaker on women’s issues in Islam and is guaranteed to leave no stone unturned in dealing with the two controversial topics” said Mr Al-Zaher. “This is why we think it’s vital for media, government personalities and community organisations to attend, as well as the wider public. As a society we need to face these issues and this will spark open discussion on them – we as a society will need to tackle them sooner or later.”

The lectures will utilise 2 of the 3 nights Dr Naik has in New Zealand before continuing to Australia and the United States. The lectures will be held at Mahatma Gandhi Hall, 145 New North Road at 7:30pm. The 24th lecture is devoted to Terrorism and the 25th to Women, the burqa and related issues. The lectures are open to the public and no bookings are required except by media/officials with any individual requirements.

Dr Naik is a medical doctor by profession but has now delivered hundreds of lectures on both issues to general and special audiences internationally. Lectures are followed by open question and answer sessions. His tours include U.S.A., Canada, Britain, Australia, South Africa, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Thailand and many other countries.

“It is very rare that personalities of such authority visit New Zealand and I encourage the general public to take full advantage of this opportunity. We are confident that this step will help towards building a more peaceful society.” said Mr. Al-Zaher.

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