Islamic preacher Zakir Naik testified today that his speeches are not intended to mock and belittle non-Islamic religions.

During hearing of the well-known Indian national’s defamation suits against Penang deputy chief minister II P Ramasamy, Zakir claimed that any alleged belittling of non-Islamic faiths were caused by certain quarters misquoting his lectures on comparative religion.

While replying to cross-examination by the defendant’s counsel Ranjit Singh, plaintiff Zakir said that his comparative religion lectures seek to spread...