Key Points
- Controversial preacher admitted: Zakir Naik was taken to Sunway Medical Centre in Petaling Jaya for undisclosed treatment on 12 September.
- Serious viral illness reported: Local media claim doctors are treating him for a potentially incurable infection, but no medical bulletin has been released.
- AIDS gossip rejected: Naik’s lawyer Akberdin Abdul Kadir called social-media claims that the preacher has AIDS “rubbish” and “fake news”.
- High-security handling: Hospital staff and Malaysian officials are maintaining strict secrecy because of the case’s diplomatic and religious sensitivity.
- India still seeks extradition: New Delhi wants Naik returned on money-laundering and hate-speech charges; previous Interpol requests were rejected for lack of evidence.
New Delhi: Zakir Naik, the Islamic televangelist wanted by Indian authorities, was quietly admitted to Sunway Medical Centre, one of Malaysia’s top tertiary hospitals specialising in infectious diseases, cardiology and metabolic care. Sources inside the facility describe his condition as “serious” but refuse to disclose details, citing patient confidentiality and “instructions from higher authorities”.
Within hours, unverified posts on X and WhatsApp claimed the 59-year-old preacher was battling AIDS a rumour his legal team swiftly dismissed. “It’s rubbish, completely baseless,” lawyer Akberdin Abdul Kadir told local media, adding that Naik’s health “is not compromised in any way”.
Why the Secrecy Matters
Naik has enjoyed permanent-resident status in Malaysia since 2016, the year he left India amid probes into alleged terror funding and radicalisation through his now-banned Peace TV network. Kuala Lumpur has resisted multiple extradition requests, and officials fear any confirmed health crisis could reignite political debate at home and in New Delhi.
Medical privacy is further tightened because Sunway Medical Centre routinely treats VIP patients and has dedicated isolation wings for high-risk infections. Hospital spokespeople declined comment, and the Malaysian health ministry has issued no statement.
Background and Legal Cloud
- Indian cases: The National Investigation Agency accuses Naik of laundering ₹193 crore and delivering speeches that inspired extremist violence; he denies all allegations.
- Malaysian backlash: In 2019, seven of Malaysia’s 13 states banned him from public lecturing after he called ethnic Chinese and Indian citizens “guests,” prompting 115 police reports.
- Interpol setback: India’s bid for a red-corner notice was turned down in 2021 when Interpol said evidence was insufficient for global arrest warrants.
What Happens Next
Neither Naik’s family nor Malaysian officials have clarified his diagnosis or issued a prognosis. Until an official health update emerges or India renews its extradition push speculation will likely continue, even as Naik’s counsel warns of legal action against rumour-mongers.
