Pakistan Christian News
Sohail Yousaf

OP-ED

Beating the Line: The Missed Moment of Christian Leadership in Pakistan During Zakir Naik’s Visit


Dr. Zakir Naik, the controversial Islamic preacher, visited Pakistan in October 2024, raising a storm of concern among religious minorities, especially the Christian community. His lectures, filled with rhetoric against Christianity, drew widespread attention and criticism. However, what struck many observers was the silence of the country’s Christian leadership during his stay. Priests, bishops, and other Christian figures chose not to confront Naik during his speeches. Instead, it was after he had left the country that a flurry of press conferences and statements condemning his remarks started surfacing.

This delayed reaction from the Christian leadership raises significant questions about their role, courage, and the missed opportunity for meaningful engagement. While some may argue that confronting Naik during his visit could have been risky, given the sensitive political and religious environment in Pakistan, the aftermath has led to growing criticism of these leaders for "beating the line" after the moment had passed.

Zakir Naik’s Controversial Visit to Pakistan
Dr. Zakir Naik has long been a controversial figure. He fled India in 2016 after facing accusations of promoting hate speech and radicalizing youth, eventually finding refuge in Malaysia. He has been banned from several countries, including the UK, for his inflammatory speeches, particularly those targeting non-Muslim religions like Christianity and Hinduism. Despite his notoriety, Naik was invited to Pakistan in October 2024 on what appeared to be an official state visit. He delivered lectures in several cities, drawing crowds of followers, as well as significant concern from religious minorities.

During his lectures, Naik made several derogatory remarks about Christianity, accusing it of theological contradictions and dismissing its central doctrines. This created a palpable sense of discomfort within the Christian community in Pakistan, which already lives under the shadow of religious discrimination and persecution.

Silence of the Christian Leadership
Given the high stakes, it is understandable that Christian leaders might have felt constrained in directly confronting Naik during his visit. His presence in the country was officially sanctioned, and Pakistan’s blasphemy laws—famously stringent and often misused against minorities—add another layer of complexity to such confrontations. However, the fact that no priest, bishop, or Christian leader dared to publicly challenge Naik’s assertions has drawn considerable criticism from within the community.

Many were hoping that church leaders would rise to the occasion, presenting a unified front to challenge Naik’s hate-filled rhetoric and defend the Christian faith. Instead, their silence was deafening. It was only after Naik left Pakistan that various Christian leaders held press conferences and issued statements condemning his speeches and calling for a ban on his future visits to the country.

This response feels inadequate to many. Criticizing Naik’s rhetoric after he has already left Pakistan, rather than confronting him when he was present, feels like a case of "beating the line" or "beating a dead horse." The moment for effective, real-time engagement passed, and now the criticism seems reactive rather than proactive.

Young Christian Men: The Real Heroes
While Christian leaders were largely silent during Naik’s visit, a few young Christian men took a bold stand. They attended his lectures, questioned him on theological matters, and even challenged him to debates. Some of these individuals used the opportunity to ask difficult questions, which Naik often failed to answer satisfactorily. Their courage stands in stark contrast to the hesitation of the church leadership.

In one particularly notable incident, a young Christian man asked Naik to clarify a contradiction in his understanding of the Bible. Rather than addressing the question directly, Naik deflected with vague responses, showcasing his inability to engage with deep theological critiques. These young men risked personal safety in an environment where questioning a popular Islamic preacher could lead to severe repercussions. Nevertheless, they displayed the kind of bravery and commitment to their faith that many had expected from the church leadership.

The Press Conferences: Too Little, Too Late?
Since Naik’s departure, several Christian leaders, including bishops and pastors, have held press conferences denouncing his speeches. They have called for the government to ban Naik from returning to Pakistan, citing the fact that he is banned in several other countries, including the UK, for his hate speech.

While these statements are necessary and reflect the leaders’ understanding of the threat Naik poses, they come too late to have any meaningful impact. The community expected their leaders to stand up while Naik was still in the country, engaging with him directly and defending the Christian faith in the public square. Now that the threat has passed, these leaders’ words ring hollow, and the community is criticizing them for their inaction when it mattered most.

In a society as radicalized as Pakistan, confronting someone like Zakir Naik is undoubtedly risky. However, this is precisely where leadership should shine. True leaders do not retreat in the face of danger; they stand with their community and guide them through difficult moments. Unfortunately, the silence of Christian leaders during Naik’s visit has left many feeling abandoned and unrepresented.

Why Leadership Matters in Times of Crisis
The Christian community in Pakistan has long faced persecution. From targeted violence to the misuse of blasphemy laws, they have experienced some of the most egregious forms of religious discrimination. In such an environment, leadership becomes even more critical. Christian leaders are expected to not only provide spiritual guidance but also to defend the rights of their community in the face of oppression.

The church’s failure to confront Naik during his visit sends a troubling message. It suggests that when the community is most in need of leadership, its leaders may choose silence over action. This pattern of passivity has been observed in the past, with church leaders often remaining silent in the face of increasing pressure on the Christian community.

"Lakeer Peetna" – Beating the Line
The phrase "lakeer peetna" in Urdu translates to "beating the line," which conveys the futility of addressing a problem only after the moment for action has passed. It reflects a common tendency to criticize or take action when it no longer has any real impact. The Christian leaders’ response to Naik’s visit can be seen as an example of this. They are now holding press conferences and issuing statements, but the time for meaningful engagement has already passed.

Their silence during Naik’s visit was a missed opportunity to demonstrate leadership, not just to the Christian community but to Pakistan as a whole. By failing to confront Naik in the moment, they allowed his rhetoric to go unchallenged, leaving it to young laymen to defend the faith in their stead.

The Cost of Missed Opportunities
The consequences of this missed opportunity are profound. When religious leaders fail to stand up for their community in moments of crisis, it erodes trust and confidence in their leadership. The Christian community in Pakistan, already marginalized and persecuted, needs strong voices to advocate for their rights and protect their dignity. When those voices remain silent, it creates a vacuum that can lead to greater disillusionment and despair.

While the press conferences and statements issued after Naik’s departure are necessary, they do little to address the real issue: the failure to act when action was most needed. The Christian leaders’ post-departure criticism of Naik, though important, feels like an afterthought. The community is not praising their efforts; instead, they are questioning why their leaders remained silent when it truly mattered.

Moving Forward: A Call for Courage
The visit of Dr. Zakir Naik to Pakistan serves as a lesson for Christian leaders in the country. In a society that is becoming increasingly radicalized, religious minorities cannot afford to have leaders who hesitate in moments of crisis. Leadership requires courage, especially when it involves confronting powerful figures who may be backed by the state or by popular sentiment.

As Pakistan continues to grapple with issues of religious intolerance and extremism, it is essential for Christian leaders to find their voice and use it when it matters most. The community needs to know that their leaders will stand by them in difficult times, not just issue statements after the fact. True leadership is measured by the willingness to take risks, to speak up in the face of danger, and to protect the community from harm.

In the aftermath of Naik’s visit, it is clear that the Christian leadership missed a significant opportunity to do just that. Now, they must work to rebuild the trust that has been eroded and demonstrate that they are willing to lead with courage and conviction in the future. The community deserves nothing less.