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Naik won’t return to India unless assured fair trial

Naik won’t return to India unless assured fair trial

by | May 25, 2021 | News, Politics

Zakir NaikNew Delhi : Controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, wanted by Indian agencies on charges of inciting youths to take up terror activities, on Wednesday said he will not return to India unless he was assured fair prosecution.

“The news of my coming to India is totally baseless and false. I have no plans to come to India till I don’t feel safe from unfair prosecution. When I feel that the government will be just and fair, I will surely return to my homeland,” the founder of NGO Islamic Research Foundation said in a statement.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) said it had no information about the return of the televangelist to India.

Naik is accused of spreading hatred by his provocative speeches, promoting enmity between communities and funding terrorists.

Rumour about Naik’s return to India spread after a section of Indian news channels, quoting sources in the Malaysian government, reported that the 51-year-old could be deported on Wednesday night.

Naik, who fled India on July 1, 2016 after terrorists in Bangladesh said they were inspired by his speeches, is currently living in Malaysia.

In November 2016, the NIA registered a case against the televangelist under the Indian Penal Code and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. His Mumbai-based NGO Islamic Research Foundation has been declared an unlawful association.

The preacher came under the lens of security agencies after some terrorists, allegedly involved in the attack on a cafe in Dhaka in July 2016, reportedly claimed they were inspired by his speeches.

—IANS

Dr.Zakir Naik: Nowhere to speak in Mumbai

Dr.Zakir Naik: Nowhere to speak in Mumbai

by | May 25, 2021 | Media, News

zakirMumbai (IANS),  Controversial Mumbai-based televangelist and Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, who addresses audiences around the world, has no place to speak in Mumbai — now.

At least four venues, including three five star hotels and the World Trade Centre (WTC), have declined permission to conduct Naik’s press conference via Skype.

The WTC had confirmed the venue for Thursday’s media interaction with Naik who is abroad but cancelled it today, an official spokesperson of the Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) said.

“It’s weird and unfair. What’s going on? Apparently, hotels in Mumbai have been told not to give out venues for Naik’s press conference,” the spokesperson said.

Critics say Naik’s Islamic teachings are radicalizing the young.

Earlier, Naik’s spokesperson claimed at least four hotels had confirmed availability of venue and some even took the bookings but suddently cancelled them at the last minute.

“The latest is the WTC who called on Wednesday to cancel the booking.” He said the IRF was trying to organize an alternate venue on a fresh date.

This is the second time in at least four days that Naik’s scheduled media interaction via Skype was called off amid speculation about his impending return to India.

Naik – at the centre of a storm – is on a lecture tour in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Africa. He is likely to return to Mumbai after some two weeks, the spokesperson said.

While the Shiv Sena and others have called for his arrest, others like the AIMIM have come out in support of Naik, saying he was a victim of witchhunt.