Friday 18 March 2016

Did Ravi Zacharias Spread a False Story About Ahmed Deedat?


This video has also been uploaded elsewhere, if this video does not play please see here

Ravi Zacharias relayed a strange story about Sheikh Ahmed Deedat in an interview in which he was addressing the atheist, Richard Dawkins. Ravi Zacharias claimed Sheikh Ahmed Deedat slapped a Christian on stage and asked the Christian to give him his trousers and the Christian took them off on stage.

Strange story. There's no video evidence of this incident.

In fact Sheikh Deedat's son, who was asked about this, has denounced this as untrue. See the screenshot (click to enlarge):



A South African pastor (Bobby Freddy) who knew Sheikh Deedat wrote:

"The story about the late Deedat from Zacharias is highy Questionable. I don't think Zacharias verifed his source/information.I knew the Late Ahmed Deedat personally and engaged with him often since early 70s. I personally don't think he would have done such a thing."


A Malaysian who is a former student at the university Ravi Zacharias refers to denounces Ravi's story as a fib (click to enlarge):


One of Sheikh Deedat's students who spent a lot of time with him suspects it's a made up story:

"I spent a lot of time with Deedat and know cameras were even in his office to record encounters with missionaries. If it were the case it would be on film as he recorded everything" [Yusuf Bux]


I have skimmed through 3 different Sheikh Deedat lectures held in Malaysia which are online (see links below) and I did not see this alleged incident! Here are the three I skimmed through:

The Message to Mankind (in Malaysia) by Ahmed Deedat

Ahmed Deedat - Islam the Message of Peace and Truth - English FULL - Kuala Lampur, Malaysia

The Miracle of Miracles (in Malaysia) by Ahmed Deedat


Lastly, the story does not even seem plausible. Why would a grown man take their trousers off on stage at a university. Much less a lecturer? And  evenIF this part of the story was true how can one use such a story to malign Ahmed Deedat? Shouldn't one be looking at this 'lecturer' who chose to strip on stage?


Conclusion

This story seems like a lie. Whether Ravi was a victim or perpetrator of this suspected lie is in question.  A public comment from Ravi Zacharias' organisation as per the scandal concerning his credentials would be most welcome.

If Ravi is unwilling to commit to this story a public apology to Sheikh Ahmed Deedat's students, friends and family would be highly encouraged too. This of course must be upsetting and emotional for them.

May Allah give Sheikh Ahmed Deedat paradise and may Allah bless Sheikh Deedat's family and friends with further good. Ameen.


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Learn about Islam

Email: yahyasnow@yahoo.co.uk