Girls were na-mehram even if someone described them as 'daughters', Dr Zakir on Islamabad incident

Dr Zakir Naik clarified why he stepped off the stage when invited to present shields to orphaned children during a ceremony at Pakistan Sweet Home in Islamabad, expressing “shock” at the backlash for not posing with the girls.

Earlier, a video of Dr Naik went viral on social media, showing him leaving the stage as orphaned girls approached to receive shields, with him stating they were na-mehram.

The video sparked mixed reactions, with some criticising the religious scholar for embarrassing the young girls, while others defended him for adhering to Islamic principles.

During a public meeting at the Governor House in Karachi, the cleric remarked, “I was shocked by the criticism for my actions. What has happened to this country?”

He explained that despite his busy schedule, he made time to attend the event but was surprised by the focus on photography.

Although the orphanage owner referred to the girls as “daughters,” the religious preacher emphasised that it was still inappropriate for him to touch na-mehram girls, regardless of their age.

He reiterated that physical contact with na-mehram women is strictly forbidden in Islamic teachings, and these principles cannot be altered by describing them as daughters.

The globally celeberated figure also compared cultural norms in India and Pakistan, stating that Hindus, too, observe similar protocols when interacting with women and show respect for such boundaries.