Dr. Zakir Naik Wins $320,000 in Defamation Suit; Donates Full Amount to Palestinians in Gaza

Islamic preacher Dr. Zakir Naik has declared his intention to donate the RM 1.52 million ($320,000) awarded to him in a defamation case to support Palestinians enduring the conflict in Gaza. The announcement came following a Malaysian court’s decision on November 2, which ordered former Penang deputy chief minister P. Ramasamy to pay RM 1.52 million in damages for defaming Naik.

Taking to social media on November 3, Naik expressed his gratitude to Malaysian High Court judge Hayatul Akmal Abdul Aziz, saying, “I would like to thank the High Court of Malaysia for ordering Ramasamy, the former deputy chief minister of Penang, to pay me RM 1.52 million in defamation damages.” He further stated his intention to donate the full amount to the Palestinian cause, praying that Allah accepts this humble effort for His sake.

Naik emphasized the importance of protecting Al Masjid Al Aqsa, the third holiest site in Islam, and commended the Palestinian people for carrying out a communal obligation on behalf of the entire Muslim Ummah. He concluded with prayers for the Palestinian resistance and the alleviation of suffering among the Palestinian population.

The defamation case against Zakir Naik was initiated after Ramasamy made four alleged defamatory statements. The statements included a Facebook post on April 10, 2016, an article titled “Is Malaysia harbouring alleged fugitive Zakir Naik?” on October 1, 2017, another article on August 11, 2019, and a video interview with India Today on August 20, 2019.

Ramasamy attended the court proceedings, while Zakir participated online, as he was in Nigeria for a speaking engagement. In the judgment, Judge Hayatul Akmal ruled in favor of Zakir, stating that Ramasamy’s evidence was without merit and insufficient to dismiss the defamation suits against him.