Dr Zakir Abdul Karim Naik has thanked the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) for giving free publicity to his upcoming lecture in Malacca this Sunday.
The International Islamic preacher said now, he could speak to an even bigger audience.
"First of all I would like to thank Hindraf. I would like to thank them for giving me free publicity. Now I speak to a bigger audience.
"The second thing I would like to thank them for is in getting the Muslims together [...] When the enemies come, it unites the Muslims," he said when asked about his upcoming speech.
Dr Zakir said this during a Q&A session after delivering his lecture titled "Does God Exist?" at Sekolah Menengah Imtiaz Besut, Terengganu, last night.
READ: 8 facts you need to know about controversial preacher Dr Zakir Naik
At the same time, he also thanked the Malaysian government for allowing him to give a public lecture at the Technical University of Malaysia Malacca (UTeM) despite him having to change his topic from "Similarities between Hinduism and Islam" to "Women's Rights in Islam".
"With what has happened, I feel that the attendees in Malacca will increase.
"What I believe is that, if I can unite even a small number of Muslims, I am grateful and pray that Allah will bless my efforts," Dr Zakir added.
The public lecture in UTeM was initially cancelled following objections from Hindraf and other Indian-based groups. However, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi yesterday said the Malaysian government has allowed for the lecture to proceed provided Dr Zakir change his topic.
Last night's lecture was attended by about 30,000 people, including Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Razif Abd Rahman and Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh.
READ: Talk by Dr Zakir Naik's son in Penang allowed on two conditions
READ: Penang's P. Ramasamy regrets calling Dr Zakir Naik "syaitan"
Astro Awani
Wed Apr 13 2016

Dr Zakir (centre, right) and Ahmad Razif (centre, left) surrounded by thousands of attendees during last night's lecture at SM Imtiaz Besut. - BERNAMApic

Selepas 40 jam, mayat remaja lemas ditemui terapung di tepi sungai
Mayat mangsa dijumpai oleh penduduk kampung dan dibawa naik ke darat dengan bantuan pihak polis dan bomba.

Politik | MCA kekal bersama BN pada PRU-15
Presiden MCA, Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong menegaskan parti itu akan terus kekal bersama Barisan Nasional (BN) pada Pilihan Raya Umum ke-15.

Jenayah | Lelaki didakwa lakukan amang seksual pada anak
Seorang lelaki didakwa di Mahkamah Sesyen, Johor Bahru pada Ahad atas dua pertuduhan melakukan amang seksual terhadap anak kandungnya. Tertuduh, berusia 42 tahun merupakan pekerja pendawaian bagaimanapun mengaku tidak bersalah selepas pertuduhan dibacakan.

UFC 259: Tewaskan Megan Anderson, Amanda Nunes kekalkan kejuaraan featherweight
Amanda Nunes berjaya mengekalkan kejuaraan dunia yang disandangnya selepas menewaskan Megan Anderson dalam aksi UFC 259, di Las Vegas, pada Ahad.

Lima bilik darjah SK Tengku Budriah rosak akibat ribut
Buat sementara ini, 136 murid Tahun Satu sekolah itu akan menumpang di bilik Tahun Enam, manakala murid Tahun Enam akan ditempatkan di sebuah bilik khas yang disediakan.

432 petugas barisan hadapan di Bekenu divaksin
Kesemua petugas barisan hadapan itu menerima suntikan vaksin COVID-19 keluaran Pfizer-bioNTech

Demi makhluk unik... Australia bina santuari platypus pertama di dunia
Ini bagi mempromosikan pembiakan dan pemulihan kerana mamalia tersebut kini menghadapi kepupusan akibat perubahan iklim.

AWANI Ringkas: MCA komited kekal bersama BN

UFC 259: 7 kemenangan berturut-turut, Islam Makhachev kini sasar kejuaraan lightweight
Petarung Rusia, Islam Makhachev menewaskan Drew Dober dari Amerika Syarikat menerusi submission pada pusingan ketiga.

Lawatan PM | Pintu Kaabah dibuka untuk Perdana Menteri
Perdana Menteri Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin diberi penghormatan untuk memasuki Kaabah ketika menunaikan ibadah Umrah. Pintu Kaabah dibuka untuk Muhyiddin bersama isteri Puan Sri Noorainee Abdul Rahman serta beberapa tetamu lain.