Interviewer: “Here is a question from a non-Muslim from India. Are non-Muslims allowed to preach their religion and to build their places of worship in an Islamic state? If so, why is building of temples and churches disallowed in Saudi Arabia, whereas Muslims are building their mosques in London and Paris?”

Zakir Naik: “I ask the non-Muslims, suppose you are the principal of a school and you intend to select a mathematics teacher. Three candidates come and you ask them, what’s the total of 2 plus 2? The first replies: 2 plus 2 equals 3. The second answers: 2 plus 2 equals 4. And the third one answers that 2 plus 2 equals 6. Now, I ask these non-Muslims, will you allow the candidate to teach in your school who says that 2 plus 2 equals 3 or that 2 plus 2 equals 6? They’ll say, no. I ask, why? They’ll say, because he does not have correct knowledge of mathematics. Similarly, as far as matters of religion are concerned we (Muslims) know for sure that only Islam is a true religion in the eyes of God. In the Holy Quran (3:85), it is mentioned that God will never accept any religion other than Islam. As far as the second question, regarding building of churches or temples is concerned, how can we allow this when their religion is wrong and when their worshipping is wrong? Therefore, we will not allow such wrong things in our Islamic country.”“Hilarious Mulla, Hilarious Logic 2+2=Zakir Naik,” YouTube Video, 4:54, posted by “feeziman007,” November 29, 2008, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHpd2T7mi5c; Sudheendra Kulkarni, “Who’s Responsible for the Stereotypes of Islam?” Indian Express, April 01, 2007, http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/who-s-responsible-for-the-stereotypes-of-islam-/27206/0.