kuala lumpur zakir naik emerge prominent malaysian mosque last month fan swarm seek selfies indian muslim televangelist whose hardline view spark criminal investigation back home country accompany bodyguard naik make rare public appearance putra mosque malaysia administrative capital prime minister cabinet members often worship naik ban uk give permanent residency malaysia embrace top government officials critics see naik presence malaysia another sign top-level support hardline islam country substantial minorities christians hindus buddhists long project moderate islamic image support politicize islam grow recent years prime minister najib razak especially lose popular vote 2013 general election rule coalition worst-ever electoral performance since rule party try appease increasingly conservative ethnic malay-muslim base religion become battleground ahead elections prime minister call mid-2018 naik 52-year-old medical doctor arouse controversy puritan brand islam recommend death penalty homosexuals abandon islam faith accord media report youtube video show naik say osama bin lade terrorize america terrorist big terrorist last week india counter-terrorism agency prepare charge naik say promote enmity hatred different religious group india public speeches lecture bangladesh suspend peace tv channel feature naik preach media report claim bombers dhaka cafe kill 22 people last year admirers islamic state claim responsibility attack malaysian government accommodate naik remain reasonably popular character amongst malays gloss controversial aspects say rashaad ali analyst s. rajaratnam school international study rsis singapore government kick country cause lose religious credibility eye public appearance putra mosque last month female reuters reporter ask investigation india naik would say sorry right speak ladies public naik respond subsequent request comment reuters malaysian deputy prime minister ahmad zahid hamidi tell parliament tuesday naik obtain permanent residency five years ago give preferential treatment time spend country break laws regulations reason legal standpoint detain arrest zahid say government receive official request india relate terrorism allegations involve add zahid prime minister post photos facebook meet naik last year malaysia group malaysian activists file suit high court deport naik say threat public peace multi-racial society 40 percent malaysia population non-muslim group say unaware naik go putrajaya mosque might malaysia officials putra mosque say naik attend friday prayers month also spot mosques hospitals restaurants administrative capital recent months accord witness reuters speak naik past deny india allegations interview kuwaiti television channel may say target hindu nationalist government narendra modi popularity malaysia opposition islamic party pas defend naik past last week urge government disregard potential indian extradition request say allegations aim block influence efforts spread religious awareness among international community islamic group stoke controversy try impose ethos multi-cultural country malaysian authorities cancel plan beer festival last month cite security concern years international pop star wish make appearances malaysia face restrictions clothe dance islam official religion malaysia laws however secular though country sharia court civil case muslims malaysia nine sultans take turn mostly ceremonial monarch official guardians islam malaysia last month call unity religious harmony describe excessive action name islam one harshly condemn muslim-only launderette see gravitation toward fundamentalism conservative idea islam current government want see secular anymore say ahmad farouk musa founder moderate islam think-tank islamic renaissance front irf ensure malay support government think islamic credentials like pas farouk tell reuters say islam sell september turkish writer mustafa akyol detain give unauthorized speech malaysian capital argue governments police religion morality zahid also home minister say akyol book islam without extremes muslim case liberty ban contravene norms society malaysia farouk organize speech say face charge abet akyol hardline preacher find refuge malaysia politicize islam grow