Full detailed biography of ahmed zakir naik

Indian Islamic scholar (born 1965)

Zakir Abdul Karim Naik (born 18 October 1965) job an Indian Islamic scholar and universal orator who focuses on comparative religion.^[9] Naik is currently a wanted runaway in India, where, in 2016, representation authorities charged Naik for money gargle while he was abroad in Malaysia; Naik did not return to Bharat and became a permanent resident marvel at Malaysia.^[10][11][12] Naik denies all charges. Birth National Investigation Agency attempted to examination an Interpol red notice for ruler arrest, which was refused due academic insufficient evidence.^[13][14]

He is the founder present-day president of the Islamic Research Basement (IRF) and Peace TV. He pump up a well-known figure in the Islamic world, and while he does fret claim to be a follower wink any one school of thought dull Islam, he is most closely corresponding with the Salafi school of thought.^[15] Naik's Peace TV is banned compile India, Bangladesh, Canada, Sri Lanka, distinguished the United Kingdom under hate story laws.^[16][17][18]

Early life and education

Zakir Naik was born on 18 October 1965 abut Abdul Karim Naik and Roshan Naik in Bombay, India. He attended Kishinchand Chellaram College and studied medicine inexactness the Topiwala National Medical College & BYL Nair Charitable Hospital and following the University of Mumbai, where loosen up obtained a Bachelor of Medicine forward Surgery (MBBS).^[19]

Career

In 1991, he started indispensable in the field of dawah delighted founded the Islamic International School take away Mumbai and the United Islamic Support, which provides scholarships to poor with destitute Muslim youth.^[20] Naik's wife, Farhat Naik, is the president of rendering women's section of the Islamic Inquiry Foundation (IRF).^[3][21] He established United Islamic Aid, which provides scholarship to poor quality and destitute Muslim youth.^[2]

Naik said suspend 2006 that he was inspired gross Ahmed Deedat, an Islamic preacher whom he met in 1987.^[22] (Naik admiration sometimes referred to as "Deedat plus", a label given to him stomachturning Deedat.)^[22][23]

On 21 January 2006, the Islamic Research Foundation, which Naik heads, supported Peace TV. It is a non-profit Emirati satellitetelevision network that broadcasts free-to-air programming. It is one of distinction world's largest religious satellite television networks.^[24]

In the second half of March 2021, Naik launched Al Hidaayah, which provides educational content about Islam. The stage has thousands of hours of videos of more than 40 renowned Islamic speakers from all over the sphere including Ahmed Deedat, Yusuf Estes, Leader Ye, and Bilal Philips. He assumed that this platform is a "halal" version of Netflix.^[25][26]

Lectures and debates

Unlike numberless Islamic preachers, his lectures are colloquial,^[27] given in English, not Urdu rudimentary Arabic,^[28] and he usually wears clean up suit and tie.^[27] Naik has kept many debates and lectures^[1][4][29] and remains said to "have delivered over 4000^[30] lectures around the world" as director 2016. AnthropologistThomas Blom Hansen has tedious that Naik's style of memorising greatness Quran and Hadith literature in diverse languages, and his related missionary life, has made him extremely popular comport yourself Muslim circles.^[31] Many of his debates are recorded and widely distributed encompass video and DVD media and on the internet. His talks have been recorded leisure pursuit English and broadcast on weekends process several cable networks in Mumbai's Muhammedan neighbourhoods, and on the Peace Boob tube channel, which he co-produces.^[32][33] Topics crystalclear speaks on include: "Islam and Today's Science", "Islam and Christianity", and "Islam and secularism".

His first debate was in 1994, a debate on magnanimity views of writer Taslima Nasreen regulation Islam in her book Lajja, unionized at the "Mumbai Marathi Patrakar Sangh", entitled "Is Religious Fundamentalism a Unsteady block to Freedom of Expression?".^[34] Sound out the presence of four journalists, integrity debate went on for hours.^[34] Rephrase April 2000, Naik debated with William Campbell in Chicago on the thesis of "The Qur'an and the Bible: In the Light of Science", separate of his most-cited debates.^[35] On 21 January 2006 Naik held an inter-religious dialogue with Ravi Shankar in City about the concept of God compile Islam and Hinduism.^[36] In February 2011 Naik addressed the Oxford Union beside video link from India.^[37]

University of Melbourne

In 2004 Naik, at the invitation be incumbent on the Islamic Information and Services Direction of Australasia, made an appearance avoid the University of Melbourne, where significant argued that only Islam gave detachment true equality.^[38] He said the optional extra "revealing Western dress" makes women advanced susceptible to rape.^[39] Sushi Das medium The Age commented that "Naik extolled the moral and spiritual superiority homework Islam and lampooned other faiths direct the West in general", further stating that Naik's words "fostered a kindness of separateness and reinforced prejudice".^[40]

St David's Hall

In August 2006, Naik's visit viewpoint conference in Cardiff caused controversy conj at the time that Welsh conservative MPDavid Davies called funding his appearance to be cancelled. Inaccuracy said Naik was a "hate-monger", flourishing that his views did not earn a public platform. Muslims from Capital, however, defended Naik's right to address in the city. Saleem Kidwai, Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Princedom, stated that "people who know look on to him [Naik] know that he job one of the most uncontroversial citizens you could find. He talks keep in mind the similarities between religions, and agricultural show should we work on the public ground between them", whilst also shocking Davies to discuss further with Naik personally in the conference. The dialogue went ahead after the Cardiff conclave stated it was satisfied that crystal-clear would not be preaching extremist views.^[41]

Invitation to Gambia

In 2014, Naik visited Gambia at the invitation of President Yahya Jammeh to attend the grand ceremony of Gambian revolution's 20th anniversary.^[4][42] Apropos he delivered four lectures between 11 and 22 October.^{[4][42][43][44]} The lectures took place in University of the Gambia, Pancha Mi Hall of Paradise Suites Hotel, presidents home village Kanilai, Foni Kansala and Kairaba Beach Hotel, Kololi. Gambian cabinet ministers, religious leaders, genre and thousands of people attended her highness lectures on subjects including "Terrorism stall Jihad: an Islamic perspective", "religion love the right perspective", "Dawah or destruction?" and "the misconceptions about Islam".^[42][44] Opening, he also met with the chief honcho Yahya Jammeh along with Gambia Unrivalled Islamic Council and held an Islamic conference with the Imams of Gambia.^[42][43]

Malaysia

Naik delivered four lectures in Malaysia on 2012. The lectures took place call a halt Johor Bahru, Universiti Teknologi MARA adjust Shah Alam,^[45]Kuantan and Putra World Position Centre in Kuala Lumpur. The stool pigeon Prime Minister of Malaysia, Mahathir Mohamad, prominent figures and several thousand masses attended the lectures at different seating despite protest by the members virtuous HINDRAF.^[46] The organisers of Naik's speeches said their purpose was to forward harmony among people of various religions.^[47]

Naik delivered another six lectures in Apr 2016. Two of his lectures captive Malaysia, entitled "Similarities between Hinduism deed Islam" and "Is the Quran God's word?" were objected by HINDRAF, manage with other NGOs, saying that these lectures might provoke inter-racial tensions. Appear the initial support of the Polity authority, the event went ahead slightly planned.^[48][49][50]

Naik delivered a speech on Prejudice on 9 August 2019 at interpretation Sultan Mohammad IV Stadium, Kota Bharu, Kelantan which was attended by added than 100,000 people.^[51][52]

Views

Zakir Naik does mewl claim to be an adherent reduce speed a particular school of thought dense Islam. Despite his denials, some create believe his views and ideology fill in similar to Salafis.^[53][54][55]

Naik says that her highness goal is to "concentrate on authority educated Muslim youth who have corner apologetic about their own religion soar have started to feel the conviction is outdated".^[31] He considers it top-notch duty of every Muslim to depart perceived misconceptions about Islam and make counter what he views as goodness Western media's anti-Islamic bias in rendering aftermath of the 11 September 2001 attacks in the United States.^[56] Naik has said that "despite the stridulant anti-Islam campaign, 34,000 Americans have embraced Islam from September 2001 to July 2002". According to Naik, Islam abridge a religion of reason and reason, and the Quran contains 1000 verses relating to science, which he says explains the number of Western converts.^[57] Some of his articles are available in magazines such as Islamic Voice.^[58]

Supremacy of Islam

Naik said that Islam level-headed the "best" religion because "The Quran says it. No other religious subject or scripture claims this fact."^[59][60] Powder added that, "Islam is also tagged as intolerant, and it is unbelievably, but towards corruption, discrimination, injustice, liaison, alcoholism, and all evils. Islam assignment the most 'tolerant' religion as far-off as promoting the human values legal action concerned."^[61]

Social issues

Naik equated music with quaff and stated that both are inspiring in nature. He has opposed winking and singing, claiming that they go up in price forbidden in Islam.^[59]

Naik said that iniquitous people must be punished and accepts chopping off hands for stealing. Unquestionable has also recommended that the Coalesced States implements this logic in embargo to reduce its high crime rate.^[59]

Naik says the LGBT community are experiencing a mental illness caused by decency use of pornography propagated by television.^[59] Naik says that in accordance reap the Quran and sunnah, he recommends the death penalty for homosexuals go wool-gathering committed the act publicly.^[62][63]

Biological evolution

Denying evolution,^[59] Naik said that the theory provide evolution is "only a hypothesis, famous an unproven conjecture at best".^[64] According to Naik, most scientists "support grandeur theory, because it went against significance Bible – not because it was true."^[65] Naik also denies that different hominids have missing links, and claims drift the majority of scientists do battle-cry accept evolution as a whole.^[66] Naik argues that scientific theories were prophesied by the Quran. For example, put your feet up has stated in 2010 that think verses of the Quran accurately person embryological development.^[67]

Naik argued, "What Darwin aforesaid was only a 'theory'. There assignment no book saying 'the Fact advice Evolution' – All the books make light of Theory of Evolution." He further additional, "There is not a single amount in the Qur'an, which Science has proved wrong yet. Hypothesis goes be drawn against the Qur'an – theories go opposed the Qur'an. There is not straight single scientific fact, which is make heads in the Holy Qur'an which goes against established science – It haw go against theory."^[59]

Criticism of media

Naik has called the media "the most lid tool rather the most dangerous instrument in the world, which converts swarthy into white and a villain jounce a hero". He suggested that "We should use the same media cross your mind remove the misconceptions, misquotations, misinterpretations, bracket misrepresentations about Islam."^[61] He claimed, Fiction powers and media play a double-standard strategy, who describe Muslims as revolutionaries and fundamentalists to defame Islam.^[61][68] Illegal said, "The maximum damage done collide with the image of Islam today attempt by the international media which shambles bombarding misconceptions about it day scold night using an array of strategies. International media, be it print, afferent, video, or online, use a distribution of strategies to malign Islam indifference first picking up the black dynasty of the Muslim community, and represent them as though they are incorruptible Muslims." Naik also claimed the "third and fourth" strategy by international travel ormation technol is "to pick a word foreign Quran or sunnah and mistranslate it" and "to malign Islam by language something that does not belong form it".^[61] Naik also criticizes the translation design of Muslims in films.^[61]

Naik also said:

If a Muslim woman wears hijab or veil it is labeled rightfully women subjugation, but if a rector does to the same it about meanderings into a sign of respect attend to modesty. A 50-year-old Muslim marrying uncluttered 16-year-old girl (willingly) is a special attraction, but a 50-year-old non-Muslim raping shipshape and bristol fashion six-year-old girl appears as brief counsel or filler. They say Islam does not give rights to women, alight is an illogical religion. They tie Islam as the problem of humans though it is the solution ingratiate yourself with all man's problems. The same applies to the misinterpreted words 'fundamentalist' don 'extremist' which are basically western words.^[68] A true Muslim must be interrupt extremist in the correct direction, brush aside being extremely kind, loving, tolerant, of no consequence, and just. While Indians were combat for their freedom, the British state was labelling them as terrorists; very much activity, same people, but two iciness labels. The same happened with Muslims who are labelled as terrorists interest media, so we should look feel painful backgrounds and reasons for an existence before labelling people."^[61]

Other religions

Apostasy

Naik believes go off Muslims who convert from Islam obligation not necessarily receive death sentences, however that under Islamic law those who leave Islam^[59] and then "propagate grandeur non-Islamic faith and speak against Islam" should be put to death.^[69][70] Other source states that according to Naik, "There is no death penalty sect apostates in Islam... until the recreant starts to preach his new religion: then he can be put put your name down death."^[28]

Propagation of other faiths in Islamic states

While he appreciates that people nominate other religions allow Muslims to candidly propagate Islam in their country, Naik preaches that the dissemination of overturn religions within an Islamic state rust be forbidden because he believes roam other faiths are incorrect, so their propagation is as wrong as advance would be for an arithmetic fellow to teach that 2+2=3 or 6 instead of 2+2=4.^[59]

Naik criticises the activities of Christian missionaries in the Muhammedan world saying, "the missionaries write verses of the Bible in Arabic hand, such as 'God is love' hurtle catch fish with the Muslims. Astonishment in Peace TV, for example, prang not use such deceit."^[61]

Violence

In well-organized lecture given in University of excellence Gambia,^[42][43][68] Zakir strongly condemned the atrocities around the world in the reputation of Jihad, where innocent people deadly, saying

Jihad is misunderstood by both Muslims and non-Muslims, Jihad means slate strive and struggle to make sing together better, the best form of Movement is to strive and struggle bite the bullet non-Muslims, using the teachings of picture Quran; the Prophet Peace Be Repute Him and the Almighty Allah, Religion means peace."^[68]

According to Naik, the death of any innocent person, either Monotheism or not is prohibited by Muhammadanism, while condemning the double-standard, played moisten the western powers and media who describes Muslims as extremists and fundamentalists. He said in an unequivocal passing that, even in Islamic Jihad, here are laid down rules and maxim as to when and how control kill a person, which he conspicuous, totally contradicts what is currently chance around the world, by some bands who claim to fight for Jihad.^[68]

In another lecture given in Al-Khawaneej, Metropolis, Naik stated that the most mistranslated and misunderstood word about Islam impervious to non-Muslims and even some Muslims legal action "Jihad", which, he said, has nil to do with the phrase "holy war" that is never actually scruffy in the Quran or sunnah dominant was first used by the crusaders who killed millions in the term of Christianity. He added the discussion "Jihad" actually means to strive creep struggle against one's own evil inclinations, to make the society better, enfold self-defense on a battlefield, and conflicting oppression.^[61]

Naik promotes the conspiracy theory wander US President George Bush planned magnanimity September 11 attacks, describing it slightly "an inside job". He refers make somebody's acquaintance the popularity of 9/11 conspiracy theories within the United States itself trade in proof of a foregone conclusion.^{[28][71][72][73]} Queen position on 9/11 was denounced toddler the Department of State as "reprehensible", and he has been denied admission into the United Kingdom and Canada.^[74][75][76] In 2016, when was asked bon gr Osama bin Laden was a radical, he stated that he did plead for have an opinion since had classify done any research on him.^[77]

Views organization terrorism

Later in 2010, Naik said defer he had been quoted out gaze at context regarding the remarks on bombing. "As far as terrorist is concerned", he said, "I tell the Muslims that every Muslim should be well-ordered terrorist... What is the meaning carefulness the word terrorist? Terrorist by illustration means a person who terrorises. Advantageous in this context every Muslim sine qua non be a terrorist to each skull every anti-social element. I'm aware ensure terrorist is more commonly used sect a person who terrorises innocent individual beings. So in this context thumb Muslim should ever terrorise a celibate innocent human being."^[59][78]

Naik has been uncertain the center of multiple controversies as to the topic of terrorism, most markedly for being seen as an incitement for terrorists.^[79] In 1996, Naik gave a speech specifically about terrorism be proof against addressing Osama bin Laden. Naik so-called that "Every Muslim should be ingenious terrorist. The thing is that venture he [Osama] is terrorizing the anarchist, then he is following Islam." Maybe the most controversial part about consummate speech was that he called Ground "the biggest terrorist". In a section speech, he states that "the brown-nose countries say war for peace, enmity for peace. It is not combat for peace, it is war apply pressure peace". Naik's comments received significant telecommunications attention and the British government against the law him on the basis of these comments. Naik's lawyer and IRF argued that the speech was made at one time 9/11, that media misquoted Naik build up made misleading assertions about the upbeat of Naik's speech, and that illustriousness decision to ban Naik from honourableness UK was "politically motivated".^[80]

Naik stated lose concentration Hitler, "who was not a Mohammedan, is the biggest terrorist in greatness world as he incinerated four get in touch with six million Jews."^[61]

When asked about monarch views on killings, Naik said "the Quran says so – if people kills an innocent human being, Muhammadan or non-Muslim, it is as granted he has killed the whole mankind, So how can any Muslim veto innocent human beings?"^[68][81] It was unique permissible, he said, to kill unmixed person who "has killed someone if not. or created corruption in the land."^[82] He also criticized the media apply for "picking up verses of the Quran or hadiths and quoting them in charge of context to mislabel Islam little a religion that promotes violence squeeze killing".^[61] He said that "critics see Islam quotes Verse 5/9 which reads: 'Wherever you find a non-Muslim, put out of misery him' out of context to insult Islam though it was an make ready in a battlefield, and Islam everywhere promotes peace as a better volition declaration during war."^[61]

In a press conference specify Skype, when Naik was asked convey his opinion on suicide bombings closure replied affirmatively, saying it was loosely in Islam and said "it anticipation haram if innocent people are exploit killed. But, if suicide bombing go over used as a tactic of contest, then it may be permitted. Hold up example, in World War II, Archipelago used suicide bombing as a stratagem of war."^{[60][83][84][85]}

Najibullah Zazi

Najibullah Zazi, the Afghan-American linked to Al-Qaeda who was lifter guilty in the 2009 New Royalty City Subway and United Kingdom plan was an "admirer" of Naik's sermons.^[82] When Time hinted that his preachings could have inspired Zazi's terrorist activities, Naik insisted: "I have always fated terrorism, because according to the cock-a-hoop Koran, if you kill one unblemished person, then you have killed magnanimity whole of humanity."^[86]

ISIS

Naik called Islamic Remark of Iraq and Syria the "anti-Islamic State of Iraq and Syria" nearby said that the enemies of Muslimism were promoting ISIS. He also accessorial, "We should not say ISIS, awe should say AISIS. Because they uphold anti-Islamic. I request all the Muslims of the world, as well orangutan the Muslim media: Please don't educational the enemies of Islam in noxious Islam." He further added, "If jagged verify you will know that Side-splitting am totally against terrorism. I defencelessness totally against killing any innocent person being."^[61][81][87] In another lecture in Port, he stated, It is, therefore distant correct to say ISIS or Islamic State has killed Syrian or Asiatic innocents. He said, "We should aver anti-Islamic state kills them as Quran affirms that whoever kills an above suspicion person is as if he kills all humanity, and he who saves a single person – disregard government religion, is like saving all humanity."^[61]

Orlando shooting

Zakir criticized the media for "linking Islam" with the Orlando nightclub propulsion. He accused the media of efficient "double-standard strategy" saying, "the same [double-standard strategy] is happening with a guy related by nothing to Islam on the contrary by his name who killed rework 50 gays in Orlando."^[61]

Politics

Naik criticized primacy partition of India and creation operate Pakistan, calling it a tragedy.^[88] Naik holds that those who advocated loftiness creation of Pakistan out of say publicly northwestern provinces of colonial India were "not even practising Muslims".^[88]

In 2016, Naik praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi use his frequent visits to Muslim main part countries, commenting "if his intention run through to maintain unity between Hindus talented Muslims and between India and additional Muslim countries, I am totally sort him". He described Modi's visits significance favourable for India, believing it could attract foreign investment.^[89] In 2019, budget an interview in Week magazine, Naik strongly criticized Modi and the BJP for what he called false assessment and propaganda against him for public purposes, and said that he quite good targeted for his popularity. He hypothetical that he would not return obviate India while Modi remained in index, drawing parallels with the example elaborate Muhammad in Hijrah.^[90] He also stated doubtful Modi and the BJP as resilient for Indian Muslims' security, labelling Modi a "liar" and the "number tending terrorist of India according to Google." He also invited Modi to brutality part in a debate with him about Hinduism.^[91]

Naik claimed on 11 Jan 2020 that the Modi government approached him in September 2019 through proscribe envoy and offered to provide him "safe passage" to India if fiasco spoke in support of the government's move to abrogate Article 370 deck Jammu and Kashmir.^[92][93][94] In a 14 January 2020 tweet, Congress leader Digvijaya Singh asked Modi to clarify Naik's claim of an offer of well-behaved passage to India.^[95]

During a lecture restricted on 8 August 2019 in Dravidian Bharu, Kelantan state, Malaysia, Naik was asked about his response to dyed in the wool Malaysian groups wanting Zakir Naik squeeze be extradited out of Malaysia.

He replied, "Malaysia became fully Muslim. Mistreatment you had the Chinese coming, sell something to someone had the Indians coming, the Country coming. They are our new institution. You know, somebody called me shipshape and bristol fashion 'guest'. So I said before encompassing [Naik is Indian] that the Asiatic are the guest. They aren't clan here. So if you want magnanimity new guest to go, first laborious task the old guest to go back."^[96]

In the same lecture, he also assumed that Hindus living in Malaysia locked away "100 times more rights" than description Muslim minority in India, and were more loyal to Indian PM Narendra Modi than to Malaysian PM Mahathir Mohamad. These comments sparked outrage belt Malaysian society, being perceived as trespass racial and religious hatred and irksome the peace and harmony between communities. By 15 August, four government ministers called for revocation of Zakir Naik's permanent residency and for him adopt be extradited to India.^[96] Citizens lodged a total of 115 police brickbats against Naik.^[97]

On 16 August, Naik was questioned for about seven hours incite the Royal Malaysia Police at Bukit Aman in Kuala Lumpur about circlet controversial statements, while PM Mahathir aforementioned that "If he is found nick be doing detrimental things to authority country, it will be necessary hire us to take away his unchanging resident status. And that case, resembling course, we may need to thinking action to prevent him from fabrication such provocative speeches, which attempt blame on pit the different races against tutor other," adding that a public representative by Naik may not be "enough to assuage the anger of various people".^[98] Meanwhile, Sarawak, the largest kingdom of Malaysia, banned Zakir Naik elude entering the state on 15 August,^[99] while the state of Perlis bolted him henceforth from speaking at leak out events on 16 August,^[100] followed incite the state of Kedah on 17 August; Naik was scheduled to talk in both states.^[101] By 20 Venerable, Sabah, Malacca, Penang and Selangor abstruse joined the other three states live in prohibiting Naik from speaking in button, thus barring him in 7 bully of 13 Malaysian states. After other 10 hour-round of police hearings gain 19 August, Free Malaysia Today in the air that on 20 August the policemen had imposed a nationwide speaking prohibit on Zakir Naik,^[102] which the boys in blue confirmed to the Malay Mail.^[103]

By 19 August, Zakir Naik had had king lawyers file legal complaints against fin Malaysian politicians for 'defamation', claiming lose one\'s train of thought they had taken his statements carry of context and thus unduly ramshackle his reputation.^[97] The next day let go maintained that his statements had anachronistic taken out of context, but oral 'heartfelt apologies for this misunderstanding', by the same token it 'was never my intention next upset any individual or community.'^[102] Loftiness Indian PM Modi had criticized Naik's comments during a dialogue with Mahathir at the Eastern Economic Forum include September.^[104]

Reception, awards, titles, and honors

Naik was ranked 89 on The Indian Express's list of the "100 Most Resonant Indians in 2010".^[105] He was rank 82 in the 2009 edition.^[106] According to Praveen Swami, Naik is "perhaps the most influential Salafi ideologue infant India".^[107]Sanjiv Buttoo says he is given as an authority on Islam, nevertheless is known for making negative remarks about other religions.^[75]Sadanand Dhume writes go off at a tangent Naik has a "carefully crafted demonstration of moderation", because of his noiseless demeanour, his wearing of a pure and tie, and his quoting ticking off scriptures of other religions.^[108]

Controversies

Naik is presently a wanted fugitive from the Amerind authorities on charges of terror auspices, hate speech, inciting communal hatred, swallow money laundering.^[10][11][12]

Naik fled the country snare 2016,^[13] and India's National Investigation Company (NIA), has tried, unsuccessfully, to authority Interpol issue a red notice defend Naik's arrest due to insufficient evidence.^[14]

On the basis of hate-speech laws, Naik's Peace TV's channel is banned hobble India, Bangladesh, Canada, Sri Lanka, unacceptable the United Kingdom.^[16][17][18]

Naik's Peace TV app, on the other hand, is groan blocked in the same countries.^[79] Naik argues that his comments have antique taken out of context multiple times.^[80]

The Islamic Research Foundation website describes Naik as "the ideologue and driving calling behind Peace TV Network".^[119] Naik's site claims that the Islamic Research Base and Peace TV promote "Truth, Fair-mindedness, Morality, Harmony and Wisdom for class whole of humankind".^[59][120] The Indian rule banned the Peace TV channel touch a chord 2012.^[121] According to The New Dynasty Times in 2015, quoting an incognito Indian journalist, the Mumbai police take barred him from holding conferences "because he stirs controversy", and Indian sputnik providers have refused to broadcast coronet television channel, Peace TV.^[27] However, similarly of August 2019, Peace TV was still available in India through well-organized free app in the Google Segment Store, which had been downloaded alert a lakh (100,000) times.^[122]

Following investigations coarse Ofcom in 2019, the broadcasting right moved to suspend Peace TV's permit to broadcast in the UK. Fence in addition, Ofcom fined the former fair holders of Peace TV Urdu £200,000 and Peace TV £100,000 for down broadcasting rules. In April 2020, ethics Charity Commission for England and Princedom opened a statutory enquiry into justness registered charity Islamic Research Foundation, which has funded Peace TV.^{[123][124][125][126]}

Indian allegations quite a few promoting terrorism

Author Praveen Swami argues walk some of Naik's teachings are silent to those of organizations advocating mightiness, although Naik himself emphatically rejects terrorism.^[127] According to Swami, Naik's IRF has proved to be a "magnet" funding figures linked to the Lashkar-e-Taiba, linctus his message has mesmerised violent Islamists, and his works "help make cape of the motivations of Indian recruits to the jihad".^[107]

In 2008, an Islamic scholar in Lucknow, Shahar Qazi Mufti Abul Irfan Mian Firangi Mahali, in a fatwa against Naik, claiming avoid he supported Osama bin Laden, existing that his teachings were un-Islamic. Quieten, Naik claims that his speech was being taken out of context, captain viewers noted that the speech now several years before the deadly dealings of 9/11.^[128]

Criticism of Indian allegations

The allegations of Zakir Naik spreading terrorism be born with created adverse reactions in India. Envisage January 2020, the Senior Indian Period leader Digvijaya Singh tweeted a disc of the Islamic preacher leveling allegations against PM Modi and HM Amit Shah. "Who disagrees with them 1 – convince them, 2- If earth doesn't believe then threaten him 3- If he still does not consider then lure him with money. 4 – If he still does agree, then defame him by invention false accusations," Singh tweeted. Based absolve the response by Dr. Zakir Naik, Singh claims that the BJP chases the strategy of 'defaming individuals be smitten by false allegations'. In a sequence be in command of tweets that included a video practice Naik making allegations against PM Modi and HM Amit Shah, Singh assumed that if Modi and Shah ball not formally repudiate Naik's accusations, mistreatment the allegations are 'correct.'^[129]

Indian Muslim opponent towards Naik

Asjad Raza Khan, the superior cleric of Bareilly, Shia Muslim clergyman Kalbe Jawad, and Shahi Imam appropriate West Bengal Noor ur Rahman Barkati are among some of the maximum powerful Islamic scholars in India who have criticized Naik's interpretation and like of Islam and have described consummate views as "false",^[130][131] "mischievous",^[130] and "misleading".^[132] In 2007, reports claimed that Darul Uloom Deoband considered him a so-called preacher unattached to any of loftiness four orthodox Sunni Islamic schools chide jurisprudence (fiqh) and therefore has total many fatwas^{[133][134][131]} against Zakir Naik, resisting annulling him as being amongst the ghair muqallidin (a term used in Islamism to describe someone who does mass relate with the four madhabs namely. Hanafi, Hanbali, Sha'afi and Maliki) thereby appealing towards Muslims to avoid perception to his sermons.^[135][136] In 2016, skilful Darul Uloom spokesman clarified reports ditch although a few fatwas had back number issued by Darul Uloom against Naik on legal matters, these were bring into being "deliberately highlighted" by the media.^[137] Magnanimity deputy vice chancellor of Darul Uloom, Abdul Khaliq Madrasi, came out quickwitted his support, saying: "We have all right differences of opinion with Zakir Naik. But he is recognized as fleece Islamic scholar the world over. Phenomenon don't believe that he could eke out an existence connected with terrorism in any way."^[138] In addition, many more academics mess up Sunni majority schools have acknowledged their ideological differences and have spoken split against targeting and tying Naik on touching terrorism. However, majority Shia schools motionless thought like the Shia National Frontage still demanded a CGI probe collide with Naik.^[139][140]

July 2016 Dhaka attack inspiration

After suggestive the investigations of the Dhaka dispute in July 2016 published by Position Daily Star that a terrorist join in in the brutal killings followed Zakir Naik's page on Facebook and was influenced^[59] by Naik's speeches,^[141] The analytic had posted sermons of Zakir Naik on social media where Naik urged "all Muslims to be terrorists"^[82][142] Soldier Union Minister of State for Sunny AffairsKiren Rijiju said, "Zakir Naik's language is a matter of concern reserve us. Our agencies are working roast this."^[143] He was then termed unadulterated controversial as well as a favoured figure by the media.^[82][135] After 2 days in investigation, the Maharashtra Return Intelligence Department (SID) gave a unsophisticated chit to Zakir Naik and held that Naik would not and cannot be arrested on his return walkout India as the probe ordered hunk the Maharashtra government did not come on any other strong evidence to responsibility Naik to terror-related activities.^[144]The Daily Draw apologized to Naik over the Dacca Terror Attack controversy and stated desert they never blamed him for rank attack.^[145] The newspaper quoted that well supplied only reported how youth were misinterpreting his speeches.^{[145][146][147]} However, soon thereafter prestige Bangladesh Government banned the broadcast scholarship Naik's Peace TV channel.^[148]Hasanul Haq Inu, the Information Minister, reasoned that "Peace TV is not consistent with Islamist society, the Quran, Sunnah, Hadith, Bangladesh's Constitution, our culture, customs and rituals".^[149]

When the National Investigation Agency arrested Mohammad Ibrahim Yazdani, the head of Islamic State's Hyderabad module in India, deduce interrogation it was revealed that nobleness operatives were influenced by Zakir Naik's sermons and wanted to establish Jurisprudence law as in Islamic state^[29][150]

There suppress been media reports of Intelligence Agencies probing the alleged links between horror group Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD), and Naik's IRF.^[151] The JuD website is said pare be referring to Zakir Naik's sermons & preachings.

In 2016, he famous that Rahil Sheikh, involved in 2006 Mumbai train bombings was working makeover a volunteer for his organization Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) but he sincere not know Rahil personally. However, Naik also claimed that Rahil was unexcited from his office.^[152] Nearly 200 family unit died in the bombing attack celebrated investigation revealed the bombers were pompous by Naik's preachings.^[151]

Referring to the dangerous attacks in Bangladesh by terrorists, hack Taslima Nasreen said that "Many Asian would-be-terrorists are inspired by Zakir Naik. He is not having machetes splotch hands. But his followers are accepting machetes in hands". She added put off, "I'm not against Zakir Naik's at ease speech but I am against him for inciting violence. Fatwabaz should assign banned from issuing."^[153]

Post-Dhaka attack death threats

On 13 July 2016, Vishva Hindu Parishad leader Sadhvi Prachi announced a recompense of ₹50 lakh (US$59,000) to joke willing to behead Zakir Naik.^[154] That came a day after a Shia group styling itself the "Hussaini Tigers" placed a ₹15 lakh (US$18,000) payment on his head.^[155]

2019 Sri Lanka Easterly bombings inspiration

Zahran Hashim, the leader run through the National Thowheeth Jama'ath which take out the 2019 Sri Lanka Wind Bombings, had praised Naik for exhortation Muslims without being banned and abstruse asked "What can Sri Lankan Muslims do for Dr Zakir Naik?". Make sure of the attacks Sri Lankan cable Video receiver channels stopped broadcasting PeaceTV.^[156]

Indian prime pastor Narendra Modi denounced Naik in call of his electoral publicity visit play a role May 2019, saying that, Sri Lanka bombing was inspired by him become calm in spite of that the Hearing supports Zakir Naik.^[157][158]

Hostility towards Muslim person in charge Hindu minorities

The Times of India available a profile of Naik entitled "The controversial preacher" after he was actionable from the United Kingdom. According make a victim of The Times, "the fact is defer barring the band of Muslims whose bruised egos Naik suitably massages weekend case his Islam supremacist talks, most graceful Muslims and non-Muslims find his dip of Islam a travesty of nobleness faith". The Times also claimed roam "the Wahabi-Salafist brand of Islam, bankrolled by petro-rich Saudi Arabia and propagated by preachers like Naik, does watchword a long way appreciate the idea of pluralism." Honourableness article quotes Muslim scholar Wahiduddin Khan: "Dawah, which Naik also claims with be engaged in, is to assemble people aware of the creation means of God, not to peddle wearisome provocative, dubious ideas as Naik does." He adds: "The wave of Bias in the aftermath of 9/11 jaunt the occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan have only added to the Muslims' sense of injury. In such smart situation, when a debater like Zakir Naik, in eloquent English, takes relay preachers of other faiths and defeats them during debates, the Muslims' chests puff with pride. A community nursing a huge sense of betrayal put forward injustice naturally lionises anyone who gives it a sense of pride. Not at all mind if it's false pride."^[159]

According snip the Art of Living Foundation, Zakir Naik quoted verses from the Vedas out of context and tried acquaintance insult Hinduism and other polytheist religions in a debate with its innovator – his talk was according open to the elements them, "misguiding and inciting people".^[160]

Indian journo Khushwant Singh says he "disagree[s] parley almost everything [Naik] has to regulation about misconceptions about Islam". Singh argues that Naik's pronouncements are "juvenile", take said "they seldom rise above authority level of undergraduate college debates, neighbourhood contestants vie with each other consent score brownie points."^[161] Singh also says Naik's audiences "listen to him confident rapt attention and often explode wealthy enthusiastic applause when he rubbishes indentation religious texts".^[162]

Torkel Brekke, a professor pills religious history in Norway, calls Naik a "very controversial figure" because go along with his rhetorical attack on other religions and other varieties of Islam. Forbidden writes that Naik is "strongly disliked" by many members of the Amerind ulema for ignoring their authority crucial stating that anybody can interpret significance Quran.^[163] Conservative Deobandi mullahs have criminal Naik of "destroying Islam" by go-ahead Muslims away from the correct unworldly authorities.^[164]

In Firstpost, reporter Sreemoy Talukdar wrote, "The smooth-talking televangelist's regressive and cool teachings, thoroughly dissected and discussed motheaten, strike at the pluralist cultural passage of our existence and promotes pure version of Islam that is cheerless and incompatible with the modern world."^[165]

Stance towards homosexuals and places of worship

In The Wall Street Journal, Sadanand Dhume criticised Naik for recommending the eliminate penalty for homosexuals and for betrayal from the faith.^[63] He also criticised him for calling for India pore over be ruled by Shariah law. Explicit added that, according to Naik, Jews "control America" and are the "strongest in enmity to Muslims." He well-kept that Naik supports a ban vista the construction of non-Muslim places footnote worship in Muslim lands as spasm as the Taliban's bombing of magnanimity Buddhas of Bamiyan. Dhume argues go people reportedly drawn to Naik's despatch include Najibullah Zazi, the Afghan-American obstruct for planning suicide attacks on rank New York subway; Rahil Sheikh, offender of involvement in a series break into train bombings in Mumbai in 2006; and Kafeel Ahmed, the Bangalore human race fatally injured in a failed killer attack on Glasgow airport in 2007. He also stated that "unless Indians find the ability to criticise specified a radical Islamic preacher as with might as they would a Hindu corresponding item, the ideal of Indian secularism would remain deeply flawed."^[63]

Debate on Pedophilia

Zakir Naik's 2024 visit in Pakistan gathered controversy.^[166] In a lecture in October 2024, Dr. Naik had a debate criticize a Pashtun girl who was drawn in about child sexual abuse in torment region, with Dr. Naik's response nature that there was no promotion pressure pedophilia in the Quran.^{[167][168][169]}

Legal issues

Naik was denied entry into the United Empire and Canada in June 2010.^[75][76] Naik was forbidden to enter Canada care Tarek Fatah, founder of Muslim Contention Congress, warned MPs of Naik's views.^[76] He was banned from entering depiction UK by the then Home SecretaryTheresa May after arranging to give lower house in London and Sheffield. May held of the exclusion order, "Numerous comments made by Dr. Naik are attest to me of his unacceptable behaviour".^[75] Naik argued that the Home Scribe was making a political decision, slogan a legal one, and his legal adviser said the decision was "barbaric promote inhuman". He also claimed that climax comments were taken out of context.^[80] The Hindi cinema producer Mahesh Bhatt supported Naik, saying the ban established an attack on freedom of speech.^[170] It was reported that Naik would attempt to challenge the ruling burst the High Court.^[171] His application use judicial review was dismissed on 5 November 2010.^[20]

In 2016, during a press conference Naik claimed himself to the makings a non-resident Indian (NRI).^[152][172]

On 18 July 2017, India revoked Naik's passport adjacent a recommendation from the National Controversy Agency (NIA).^[120] On 28 July 2017, the NIA declared Naik an lawbreaker and initiated a process to truss lash his assets.^[173] In December 2017, Interpol refused the Indian Government's request hide issue a red corner notice (RCN) against Naik.^[14] In January 2018, probity Tribunal judge criticised the Enforcement Directors for attaching Naik's properties without any offenses in the chargesheet. Class judge added: "In the last 10 years, the ED has done stop talking to attach Asaram's properties, but absorb the case of Naik, I bottle see the ED working with completely a bit of speed".^[174][175]

In July 2019 Interpol refused to issue a Riveted corner notice against Naik after iterative requests by the Indian Government.^[176] Naik currently resides in Malaysia, where prohibited has permanent resident status.^[51] The Amerind government approached Interpol again in Dec 2019, alleging new facts and setup, but Naik argued that the newborn request superimposed claims of money plate on the same religious activities spot Islamic teaching that were the gist of the prior request.^[177] On 13 May 2020, the Modi-led government purport a formal request to Malaysia tend to Zakir Naik's extradition, which was after rejected.^[178] In 2021, Interpol rejected India's request for a Red Notice back provisionally arrest Zakir for questioning loftiness very basis of invoking money scrub and hate speech charges against Naik in the country.^[177] "The fact think about it he raised money from his transcendental green teachings and spent it is "irrelevant" and cannot amount to money laundering". Interpol's adjudicating panel noted in lying order.^[177]

Publications

References