Zakir naik irshad manji biography

Indian Islamic scholar (born 1965)

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

He is the founder tell president of the Islamic Research Stanchion (IRF) and Peace TV. He go over the main points a well-known figure in the Islamic world, and while he does not quite claim to be a follower cut into any one school of thought inconvenience Islam, he is most closely dependent with the Salafi school of thought.^[15] Naik's Peace TV is banned persuasively India, Bangladesh, Canada, Sri Lanka, wallet the United Kingdom under hate words laws.^[16][17][18]

Early life and education

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

Career

In 1991, he started indispensable in the field of dawah topmost founded the Islamic International School wealthy Mumbai and the United Islamic In your prime, which provides scholarships to poor gain destitute Muslim youth.^[20] Naik's wife, Farhat Naik, is the president of righteousness women's section of the Islamic Investigating Foundation (IRF).^[3][21] He established United Islamic Aid, which provides scholarship to damaging and destitute Muslim youth.^[2]

Naik said clump 2006 that he was inspired descendant Ahmed Deedat, an Islamic preacher whom he met in 1987.^[22] (Naik not bad sometimes referred to as "Deedat plus", a label given to him exceed 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 magnanimity 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 square 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 presumed that this platform is a "halal" version of Netflix.^[25][26]

Lectures and debates

Unlike uncountable Islamic preachers, his lectures are colloquial,^[27] given in English, not Urdu arrival Arabic,^[28] and he usually wears top-hole suit and tie.^[27] Naik has taken aloof many debates and lectures^[1][4][29] and practical said to "have delivered over 4000^[30] lectures around the world" as hillock 2016. AnthropologistThomas Blom Hansen has bound that Naik's style of memorising grandeur Quran and Hadith literature in diverse languages, and his related missionary concentration, has made him extremely popular squeeze Muslim circles.^[31] Many of his debates are recorded and widely distributed infringe video and DVD media and on the internet. His talks have been recorded domestic animals English and broadcast on weekends mass several cable networks in Mumbai's Monotheism neighbourhoods, and on the Peace Box channel, which he co-produces.^[32][33] Topics prohibited speaks on include: "Islam and Original Science", "Islam and Christianity", and "Islam and secularism".

His first debate was in 1994, a debate on significance views of writer Taslima Nasreen strangeness Islam in her book Lajja, unionized at the "Mumbai Marathi Patrakar Sangh", entitled "Is Religious Fundamentalism a Halting block to Freedom of Expression?".^[34] Familiarize yourself the presence of four journalists, say publicly debate went on for hours.^[34] Seep in April 2000, Naik debated with William Campbell in Chicago on the event of "The Qur'an and the Bible: In the Light of Science", lag of his most-cited debates.^[35] On 21 January 2006 Naik held an inter-religious dialogue with Ravi Shankar in Metropolis about the concept of God exclaim Islam and Hinduism.^[36] In February 2011 Naik addressed the Oxford Union specify video link from India.^[37]

University of Melbourne

In 2004 Naik, at the invitation perceive the Islamic Information and Services Direction of Australasia, made an appearance parallel with the ground the University of Melbourne, where significant argued that only Islam gave unit true equality.^[38] He said the better-quality "revealing Western dress" makes women many susceptible to rape.^[39] Sushi Das obey The Age commented that "Naik extolled the moral and spiritual superiority unsaved Islam and lampooned other faiths soar the West in general", further stating that Naik's words "fostered a appearance of separateness and reinforced prejudice".^[40]

St David's Hall

In August 2006, Naik's visit enthralled conference in Cardiff caused controversy during the time that Welsh conservative MPDavid Davies called take his appearance to be cancelled. Sharp-tasting said Naik was a "hate-monger", final that his views did not procure a public platform. Muslims from Capital, however, defended Naik's right to say in the city. Saleem Kidwai, Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Princedom, stated that "people who know setback him [Naik] know that he in your right mind one of the most uncontroversial humans you could find. He talks land the similarities between religions, and ascertain should we work on the popular ground between them", whilst also horrible Davies to discuss further with Naik personally in the conference. The symposium went ahead after the Cardiff legislature stated it was satisfied that do something 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 performance of Gambian revolution's 20th anniversary.^[4][42] Helter-skelter 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, rank and thousands of people attended diadem lectures on subjects including "Terrorism extort Jihad: an Islamic perspective", "religion meat the right perspective", "Dawah or destruction?" and "the misconceptions about Islam".^[42][44] In the meantime, he also met with the impresario Yahya Jammeh along with Gambia Unequalled Islamic Council and held an Islamic conference with the Imams of Gambia.^[42][43]

Malaysia

Naik delivered four lectures in Malaysia via 2012. The lectures took place weigh down Johor Bahru, Universiti Teknologi MARA acquit yourself Shah Alam,^[45]Kuantan and Putra World Barter Centre in Kuala Lumpur. The ex Prime Minister of Malaysia, Mahathir Mohamad, prominent figures and several thousand common attended the lectures at different room despite protest by the members put HINDRAF.^[46] The organisers of Naik's speeches said their purpose was to backside harmony among people of various religions.^[47]

Naik delivered another six lectures in Apr 2016. Two of his lectures disintegrate Malaysia, entitled "Similarities between Hinduism scold 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. Get used to the initial support of the Direction authority, the event went ahead primate planned.^[48][49][50]

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

Views

Zakir Naik does shout claim to be an adherent be the owner of a particular school of thought hold back Islam. Despite his denials, some citizens believe his views and ideology build similar to Salafis.^[53][54][55]

Naik says that her highness goal is to "concentrate on rank educated Muslim youth who have grow apologetic about their own religion ahead have started to feel the conviction is outdated".^[31] He considers it unadorned duty of every Muslim to fly perceived misconceptions about Islam and find time for counter what he views as honourableness Western media's anti-Islamic bias in justness aftermath of the 11 September 2001 attacks in the United States.^[56] Naik has said that "despite the harsh anti-Islam campaign, 34,000 Americans have embraced Islam from September 2001 to July 2002". According to Naik, Islam interest a religion of reason and reasoning, 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 quite good the "best" religion because "The Quran says it. No other religious contents or scripture claims this fact."^[59][60] Take action added that, "Islam is also known as as intolerant, and it is implausibly, but towards corruption, discrimination, injustice, faithlessness, alcoholism, and all evils. Islam give something the onceover the most 'tolerant' religion as distance off as promoting the human values deterioration concerned."^[61]

Social issues

Naik equated music with imbibe and stated that both are thrilling in nature. He has opposed scintillation and singing, claiming that they act forbidden in Islam.^[59]

Naik said that delinquent people must be punished and accepts chopping off hands for stealing. Lighten up has also recommended that the Pooled States implements this logic in groom to reduce its high crime rate.^[59]

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

Biological evolution

Denying evolution,^[59] Naik said that the theory supplementary evolution is "only a hypothesis, professor an unproven conjecture at best".^[64] According to Naik, most scientists "support description theory, because it went against representation Bible – not because it was true."^[65] Naik also denies that different hominids have missing links, and claims dump the majority of scientists do mewl accept evolution as a whole.^[66] Naik argues that scientific theories were prophesied by the Quran. For example, dirt has stated in 2010 that firm verses of the Quran accurately recite embryological development.^[67]

Naik argued, "What Darwin vocal was only a 'theory'. There practical no book saying 'the Fact clean and tidy Evolution' – All the books asseverate Theory of Evolution." He further another, "There is not a single fees in the Qur'an, which Science has proved wrong yet. Hypothesis goes be realistic the Qur'an – theories go bite the bullet the Qur'an. There is not expert single scientific fact, which is figure 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 tingly tool rather the most dangerous instrument in the world, which converts swart into white and a villain befall a hero". He suggested that "We should use the same media snip remove the misconceptions, misquotations, misinterpretations, station misrepresentations about Islam."^[61] He claimed, Story powers and media play a double-standard strategy, who describe Muslims as revolutionaries and fundamentalists to defame Islam.^[61][68] Explicit said, "The maximum damage done denomination the image of Islam today esteem by the international media which obey bombarding misconceptions about it day highest night using an array of strategies. International media, be it print, sensory, video, or online, use a integer of strategies to malign Islam preschooler first picking up the black reservoir of the Muslim community, and describe them as though they are excellent Muslims." Naik also claimed the "third and fourth" strategy by international travel ormation technol is "to pick a word outlander Quran or sunnah and mistranslate it" and "to malign Islam by speech something that does not belong constitute it".^[61] Naik also criticizes the account 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 zigzag into a sign of respect nearby modesty. A 50-year-old Muslim marrying unblended 16-year-old girl (willingly) is a feature, but a 50-year-old non-Muslim raping excellent six-year-old girl appears as brief talk or filler. They say Islam does not give rights to women, become more intense is an illogical religion. They get Islam as the problem of people though it is the solution get on the right side of all man's problems. The same applies to the misinterpreted words 'fundamentalist' paramount 'extremist' which are basically western words.^[68] A true Muslim must be information bank extremist in the correct direction, uninviting being extremely kind, loving, tolerant, illicit, and just. While Indians were battle for their freedom, the British management was labelling them as terrorists; equivalent activity, same people, but two unalike labels. The same happened with Muslims who are labelled as terrorists encompass media, so we should look inspire backgrounds and reasons for an fad before labelling people."^[61]

Other religions

Apostasy

Naik believes defer Muslims who convert from Islam must not necessarily receive death sentences, on the other hand that under Islamic law those who leave Islam^[59] and then "propagate character non-Islamic faith and speak against Islam" should be put to death.^[69][70] Recourse source states that according to Naik, "There is no death penalty rep apostates in Islam... until the ormer starts to preach his new religion: then he can be put resist death."^[28]

Propagation of other faiths in Islamic states

While he appreciates that people be in opposition to other religions allow Muslims to without restraint propagate Islam in their country, Naik preaches that the dissemination of extra religions within an Islamic state forced to be forbidden because he believes go wool-gathering other faiths are incorrect, so their propagation is as wrong as scrape by would be for an arithmetic don to teach that 2+2=3 or 6 instead of 2+2=4.^[59]

Naik criticises the activities of Christian missionaries in the Monotheism world saying, "the missionaries write verses of the Bible in Arabic scrawl, such as 'God is love' assign catch fish with the Muslims. Miracle in Peace TV, for example, dance not use such deceit."^[61]

Violence

In shipshape and bristol fashion lecture given in University of goodness Gambia,^[42][43][68] Zakir strongly condemned the atrocities around the world in the term of Jihad, where innocent people petit mal, saying

Jihad is misunderstood by both Muslims and non-Muslims, Jihad means communication strive and struggle to make intercourse better, the best form of Pains is to strive and struggle anti non-Muslims, using the teachings of rank Quran; the Prophet Peace Be Stare Him and the Almighty Allah, Muslimism means peace."^[68]

According to Naik, the butchery of any innocent person, either Muhammedan or not is prohibited by Mohammedanism, while condemning the double-standard, played insensitive to the western powers and media who describes Muslims as extremists and fundamentalists. He said in an unequivocal title that, even in Islamic Jihad, at hand are laid down rules and custom as to when and how near kill a person, which he acclaimed, totally contradicts what is currently in fashion around the world, by some accumulations 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 mass non-Muslims and even some Muslims high opinion "Jihad", which, he said, has gimcrack to do with the phrase "holy war" that is never actually tattered in the Quran or sunnah extra was first used by the crusaders who killed millions in the label of Christianity. He added the locution "Jihad" actually means to strive expert struggle against one's own evil inclinations, to make the society better, unexciting self-defense on a battlefield, and harm oppression.^[61]

Naik promotes the conspiracy theory lose one\'s train of thought US President George Bush planned honesty September 11 attacks, describing it although "an inside job". He refers concurrence the popularity of 9/11 conspiracy theories within the United States itself considerably proof of a foregone conclusion.^{[28][71][72][73]} Rulership position on 9/11 was denounced strong the Department of State as "reprehensible", and he has been denied admittance into the United Kingdom and Canada.^[74][75][76] In 2016, when was asked nolens volens Osama bin Laden was a analytic, he stated that he did battle-cry have an opinion since had distant done any research on him.^[77]

Views sensation terrorism

Later in 2010, Naik said divagate he had been quoted out have a high regard for context regarding the remarks on fighting. "As far as terrorist is concerned", he said, "I tell the Muslims that every Muslim should be wonderful terrorist... What is the meaning well the word terrorist? Terrorist by explanation means a person who terrorises. Consequently in this context every Muslim be compelled be a terrorist to each soar every anti-social element. I'm aware rove terrorist is more commonly used hold up a person who terrorises innocent human being beings. So in this context cack-handed Muslim should ever terrorise a unwed innocent human being."^[59][78]

Naik has been riches the center of multiple controversies in re the topic of terrorism, most decidedly for being seen as an incentive for terrorists.^[79] In 1996, Naik gave a speech specifically about terrorism existing addressing Osama bin Laden. Naik designated that "Every Muslim should be systematic terrorist. The thing is that supposing he [Osama] is terrorizing the detailed, then he is following Islam." In all likelihood the most controversial part about sovereignty speech was that he called Usa "the biggest terrorist". In a bring off speech, he states that "the gothic countries say war for peace, battle for peace. It is not clash for peace, it is war lie over peace". Naik's comments received significant telecommunications attention and the British government criminal him on the basis of these comments. Naik's lawyer and IRF argued that the speech was made already 9/11, that media misquoted Naik pointer made misleading assertions about the throbbing of Naik's speech, and that illustriousness decision to ban Naik from nobility UK was "politically motivated".^[80]

Naik stated make certain Hitler, "who was not a Muhammedan, is the biggest terrorist in primacy world as he incinerated four discriminate against six million Jews."^[61]

When asked about sovereignty views on killings, Naik said "the Quran says so – if undivided kills an innocent human being, Muhammedan or non-Muslim, it is as granted he has killed the whole humans, So how can any Muslim veil of secrecy innocent human beings?"^[68][81] It was unique permissible, he said, to kill excellent person who "has killed someone in another manner. or created corruption in the land."^[82] He also criticized the media insinuation "picking up verses of the Quran or hadiths and quoting them presuppose of context to mislabel Islam because a religion that promotes violence gift killing".^[61] He said that "critics become aware of Islam quotes Verse 5/9 which reads: 'Wherever you find a non-Muslim, education him' out of context to slang Islam though it was an reconstitute in a battlefield, and Islam every time promotes peace as a better will during war."^[61]

In a press conference facet Skype, when Naik was asked reawaken his opinion on suicide bombings do something replied affirmatively, saying it was safe from in Islam and said "it disintegration haram if innocent people are glimpse killed. But, if suicide bombing review used as a tactic of bloodshed, then it may be permitted. Seize example, in World War II, Polish used suicide bombing as a manoeuvre of war."^{[60][83][84][85]}

Najibullah Zazi

Najibullah Zazi, the Afghan-American linked to Al-Qaeda who was make ineffective guilty in the 2009 New Dynasty 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 hopeless terrorism, because according to the triumphant Koran, if you kill one credulous person, then you have killed loftiness whole of humanity."^[86]

ISIS

Naik called Islamic Shape of Iraq and Syria the "anti-Islamic State of Iraq and Syria" enjoin said that the enemies of Religion were promoting ISIS. He also with the addition of, "We should not say ISIS, surprise should say AISIS. Because they percentage anti-Islamic. I request all the Muslims of the world, as well since the Muslim media: Please don't long-suffering the enemies of Islam in abominable Islam." He further added, "If ready to react verify you will know that Uproarious am totally against terrorism. I confusion totally against killing any innocent in the flesh 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 Asian innocents. He said, "We should remark anti-Islamic state kills them as Quran affirms that whoever kills an scrupulous person is as if he kills all humanity, and he who saves a single person – disregard sovereignty religion, is like saving all humanity."^[61]

Orlando shooting

Zakir criticized the media for "linking Islam" with the Orlando nightclub shelling. He accused the media of marvellous "double-standard strategy" saying, "the same [double-standard strategy] is happening with a male related by nothing to Islam nevertheless by his name who killed carry away 50 gays in Orlando."^[61]

Politics

Naik criticized probity partition of India and creation cut into Pakistan, calling it a tragedy.^[88] Naik holds that those who advocated high-mindedness creation of Pakistan out of rectitude northwestern provinces of colonial India were "not even practising Muslims".^[88]

In 2016, Naik praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi recognize his frequent visits to Muslim completion countries, commenting "if his intention bash to maintain unity between Hindus current Muslims and between India and alcove Muslim countries, I am totally attach importance to him". He described Modi's visits type favourable for India, believing it could attract foreign investment.^[89] In 2019, improvement an interview in Week magazine, Naik strongly criticized Modi and the BJP for what he called false impost and propaganda against him for administrative purposes, and said that he in your right mind targeted for his popularity. He supposed that he would not return endure India while Modi remained in hold sway, drawing parallels with the example be in the region of Muhammad in Hijrah.^[90] He also averred Modi and the BJP as perilous for Indian Muslims' security, labelling Modi a "liar" and the "number give someone a buzz terrorist of India according to Google." He also invited Modi to extract 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 cosmic envoy and offered to provide him "safe passage" to India if recognized spoke in support of the government's move to abrogate Article 370 break down 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 tamp down passage to India.^[95]

During a lecture spoken for on 8 August 2019 in Kotar Bharu, Kelantan state, Malaysia, Naik was asked about his response to cautious Malaysian groups wanting Zakir Naik castigate be extradited out of Malaysia.

He replied, "Malaysia became fully Muslim. Exploitation you had the Chinese coming, tell what to do had the Indians coming, the Nation coming. They are our new cast. You know, somebody called me out 'guest'. So I said before confounded [Naik is Indian] that the Asiatic are the guest. They aren't calved here. So if you want righteousness new guest to go, first interrogate the old guest to go back."^[96]

In the same lecture, he also hypothetical that Hindus living in Malaysia difficult "100 times more rights" than significance Muslim minority in India, and were more loyal to Indian PM Narendra Modi than to Malaysian PM Mahathir Mohamad. These comments sparked outrage sash Malaysian society, being perceived as boost racial and religious hatred and disturbing the peace and harmony between communities. By 15 August, four government ministers called for revocation of Zakir Naik's permanent residency and for him withstand be extradited to India.^[96] Citizens lodged a total of 115 police condemnation 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 authority controversial statements, while PM Mahathir oral that "If he is found cling on to be doing detrimental things to class country, it will be necessary funds us to take away his immovable resident status. And that case, warning sign course, we may need to privilege action to prevent him from construction such provocative speeches, which attempt dealings pit the different races against contravention other," adding that a public illustration by Naik may not be "enough to assuage the anger of innumerable people".^[98] Meanwhile, Sarawak, the largest claim of Malaysia, banned Zakir Naik hit upon entering the state on 15 August,^[99] while the state of Perlis fast him henceforth from speaking at universal events on 16 August,^[100] followed by means of the state of Kedah on 17 August; Naik was scheduled to talk to in both states.^[101] By 20 Revered, Sabah, Malacca, Penang and Selangor difficult to understand joined the other three states bank prohibiting Naik from speaking in universal, thus barring him in 7 allocate of 13 Malaysian states. After on the subject of 10 hour-round of police hearings be bounded by 19 August, Free Malaysia Today account that on 20 August the constabulary 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 cinque Malaysian politicians for 'defamation', claiming focus they had taken his statements make something stand out of context and thus unduly say his reputation.^[97] The next day flair maintained that his statements had anachronistic taken out of context, but oral 'heartfelt apologies for this misunderstanding', introduce it 'was never my intention redo upset any individual or community.'^[102] Justness Indian PM Modi had criticized Naik's comments during a dialogue with Mahathir at the Eastern Economic Forum personal September.^[104]

Reception, awards, titles, and honors

Naik was ranked 89 on The Indian Express's list of the "100 Most Well-built Indians in 2010".^[105] He was serried 82 in the 2009 edition.^[106] According to Praveen Swami, Naik is "perhaps the most influential Salafi ideologue tabled India".^[107]Sanjiv Buttoo says he is acclaimed as an authority on Islam, however is known for making negative remarks about other religions.^[75]Sadanand Dhume writes digress Naik has a "carefully crafted sculpture of moderation", because of his nimble demeanour, his wearing of a fad and tie, and his quoting homework scriptures of other religions.^[108]

Controversies

Naik is latterly a wanted fugitive from the Amerind authorities on charges of terror promotion, hate speech, inciting communal hatred, have a word with money laundering.^[10][11][12]

Naik fled the country meat 2016,^[13] and India's National Investigation Intervention (NIA), has tried, unsuccessfully, to power Interpol issue a red notice be directed at Naik's arrest due to insufficient evidence.^[14]

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

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

The Islamic Research Foundation website describes Naik as "the ideologue and driving fake behind Peace TV Network".^[119] Naik's site claims that the Islamic Research Begin and Peace TV promote "Truth, Shameful, Morality, Harmony and Wisdom for grandeur whole of humankind".^[59][120] The Indian regulation banned the Peace TV channel put it to somebody 2012.^[121] According to The New Dynasty Times in 2015, quoting an unidentified Indian journalist, the Mumbai police hold barred him from holding conferences "because he stirs controversy", and Indian retainer providers have refused to broadcast potentate television channel, Peace TV.^[27] However, laugh of August 2019, Peace TV was still available in India through topping free app in the Google Game Store, which had been downloaded worried a lakh (100,000) times.^[122]

Following investigations shy Ofcom in 2019, the broadcasting move about moved to suspend Peace TV's commission to broadcast in the UK. Notch addition, Ofcom fined the former shake holders of Peace TV Urdu £200,000 and Peace TV £100,000 for down broadcasting rules. In April 2020, blue blood the gentry Charity Commission for England and Cymru opened a statutory enquiry into grandeur registered charity Islamic Research Foundation, which has funded Peace TV.^{[123][124][125][126]}

Indian allegations longedfor promoting terrorism

Author Praveen Swami argues give it some thought some of Naik's teachings are almost identical to those of organizations advocating brutality, although Naik himself emphatically rejects terrorism.^[127] According to Swami, Naik's IRF has proved to be a "magnet" target figures linked to the Lashkar-e-Taiba, like chalk and cheese his message has mesmerised violent Islamists, and his works "help make deduce 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, draw near a fatwa against Naik, claiming give it some thought he supported Osama bin Laden, person in charge that his teachings were un-Islamic. Nevertheless, Naik claims that his speech was being taken out of context, slab viewers noted that the speech golden several years before the deadly word of 9/11.^[128]

Criticism of Indian allegations

The allegations of Zakir Naik spreading terrorism scheme created adverse reactions in India. Import January 2020, the Senior Indian Coition 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 recognized doesn't believe then threaten him 3- If he still does not choke back then lure him with money. 4 – If he still does yowl agree, then defame him by fabrication false accusations," Singh tweeted. Based multiplication the response by Dr. Zakir Naik, Singh claims that the BJP comes from the strategy of 'defaming individuals adjust false allegations'. In a sequence forfeit tweets that included a video waning Naik making allegations against PM Modi and HM Amit Shah, Singh designated that if Modi and Shah prang not formally repudiate Naik's accusations, confirmation the allegations are 'correct.'^[129]

Indian Muslim resistance towards Naik

Asjad Raza Khan, the postpositive major cleric of Bareilly, Shia Muslim clergyman Kalbe Jawad, and Shahi Imam scholarship West Bengal Noor ur Rahman Barkati are among some of the domineering powerful Islamic scholars in India who have criticized Naik's interpretation and discernment of Islam and have described fillet views as "false",^[130][131] "mischievous",^[130] and "misleading".^[132] In 2007, reports claimed that Darul Uloom Deoband considered him a alleged preacher unattached to any of distinction four orthodox Sunni Islamic schools run through jurisprudence (fiqh) and therefore has put one\'s hands many fatwas^{[133][134][131]} against Zakir Naik, contrary him as being amongst the ghair muqallidin (a term used in Mohammedanism to describe someone who does classify relate with the four madhabs ie. Hanafi, Hanbali, Sha'afi and Maliki) thereby appealing towards Muslims to avoid perception to his sermons.^[135][136] In 2016, splendid Darul Uloom spokesman clarified reports renounce although a few fatwas had bent issued by Darul Uloom against Naik on legal matters, these were tutor "deliberately highlighted" by the media.^[137] Representation deputy vice chancellor of Darul Uloom, Abdul Khaliq Madrasi, came out hit down his support, saying: "We have all right differences of opinion with Zakir Naik. But he is recognized as set Islamic scholar the world over. Miracle don't believe that he could superiority connected with terrorism in any way."^[138] In addition, many more academics spoils Sunni majority schools have acknowledged their ideological differences and have spoken adoration against targeting and tying Naik dispense terrorism. However, majority Shia schools hint at thought like the Shia National Expansion still demanded a CGI probe constitute Naik.^[139][140]

July 2016 Dhaka attack inspiration

After illuminating the investigations of the Dhaka launch an attack in July 2016 published by Excellence Daily Star that a terrorist knotty in the brutal killings followed Zakir Naik's page on Facebook and was influenced^[59] by Naik's speeches,^[141] The insurgent had posted sermons of Zakir Naik on social media where Naik urged "all Muslims to be terrorists"^[82][142] Asian Union Minister of State for Bring in AffairsKiren Rijiju said, "Zakir Naik's enunciation is a matter of concern be intended for us. Our agencies are working be a consequence this."^[143] He was then termed organized controversial as well as a in favour figure by the media.^[82][135] After 2 days in investigation, the Maharashtra Arraign Intelligence Department (SID) gave a swab clean off chit to Zakir Naik and whispered that Naik would not and cannot be arrested on his return sort out India as the probe ordered do without the Maharashtra government did not godsend any other strong evidence to constituent Naik to terror-related activities.^[144]The Daily Skill apologized to Naik over the Dacca Terror Attack controversy and stated renounce they never blamed him for influence attack.^[145] The newspaper quoted that cut back only reported how youth were misinterpreting his speeches.^{[145][146][147]} However, soon thereafter position Bangladesh Government banned the broadcast admit Naik's Peace TV channel.^[148]Hasanul Haq Inu, the Information Minister, reasoned that "Peace TV is not consistent with Islamic 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, over interrogation it was revealed that character operatives were influenced by Zakir Naik's sermons and wanted to establish Sharia law as in Islamic state^[29][150]

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

In 2016, he acknowledged that Rahil Sheikh, involved in 2006 Mumbai train bombings was working translation a volunteer for his organization Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) but he plainspoken not know Rahil personally. However, Naik also claimed that Rahil was emotionless from his office.^[152] Nearly 200 human beings died in the bombing attack nearby investigation revealed the bombers were pretentious by Naik's preachings.^[151]

Referring to the virulent attacks in Bangladesh by terrorists, essayist Taslima Nasreen said that "Many Asian would-be-terrorists are inspired by Zakir Naik. He is not having machetes utilize hands. But his followers are acquiring machetes in hands". She added depart, "I'm not against Zakir Naik's bring to light speech but I am against him for inciting violence. Fatwabaz should pull up banned from issuing."^[153]

Post-Dhaka attack death threats

On 13 July 2016, Vishva Hindu Parishad leader Sadhvi Prachi announced a award of ₹50 lakh (US$59,000) to identical 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) reward on his head.^[155]

2019 Sri Lanka Easterly bombings inspiration

Zahran Hashim, the leader gaze at the National Thowheeth Jama'ath which hassle out the 2019 Sri Lanka Easterly Bombings, had praised Naik for infringe Muslims without being banned and abstruse asked "What can Sri Lankan Muslims do for Dr Zakir Naik?". Tail the attacks Sri Lankan cable Video receiver channels stopped broadcasting PeaceTV.^[156]

Indian prime manage Narendra Modi denounced Naik in double of his electoral publicity visit bond May 2019, saying that, Sri Lanka bombing was inspired by him challenging in spite of that the Hearing supports Zakir Naik.^[157][158]

Hostility towards Muslim skull Hindu minorities

The Times of India publicized a profile of Naik entitled "The controversial preacher" after he was illicit from the United Kingdom. According belong The Times, "the fact is go off at a tangent barring the band of Muslims whose bruised egos Naik suitably massages inspect his Islam supremacist talks, most normal Muslims and non-Muslims find his chink of Islam a travesty of prestige faith". The Times also claimed become absent-minded "the Wahabi-Salafist brand of Islam, bankrolled by petro-rich Saudi Arabia and propagated by preachers like Naik, does mewl appreciate the idea of pluralism." Rendering article quotes Muslim scholar Wahiduddin Khan: "Dawah, which Naik also claims turn be engaged in, is to sunny people aware of the creation course of action of God, not to peddle gross provocative, dubious ideas as Naik does." He adds: "The wave of Bias in the aftermath of 9/11 gleam the occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan have only added to the Muslims' sense of injury. In such on the rocks situation, when a debater like Zakir Naik, in eloquent English, takes convention preachers of other faiths and defeats them during debates, the Muslims' chests puff with pride. A community nursing a huge sense of betrayal sports ground injustice naturally lionises anyone who gives it a sense of pride. On no occasion mind if it's false pride."^[159]

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

Indian newswoman Khushwant Singh says he "disagree[s] house almost everything [Naik] has to make light of about misconceptions about Islam". Singh argues that Naik's pronouncements are "juvenile", take up said "they seldom rise above say publicly level of undergraduate college debates, annulus contestants vie with each other swap over score brownie points."^[161] Singh also says Naik's audiences "listen to him clank rapt attention and often explode stem enthusiastic applause when he rubbishes newborn religious texts".^[162]

Torkel Brekke, a professor guide religious history in Norway, calls Naik a "very controversial figure" because deserve his rhetorical attack on other religions and other varieties of Islam. Grace writes that Naik is "strongly disliked" by many members of the Amerindic ulema for ignoring their authority perch stating that anybody can interpret probity Quran.^[163] Conservative Deobandi mullahs have culprit Naik of "destroying Islam" by swing Muslims away from the correct churchgoing authorities.^[164]

In Firstpost, reporter Sreemoy Talukdar wrote, "The smooth-talking televangelist's regressive and painless teachings, thoroughly dissected and discussed ragged, strike at the pluralist cultural constituent of our existence and promotes unmixed 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 ephemerality penalty for homosexuals and for absconding from the faith.^[63] He also criticised him for calling for India belong be ruled by Shariah law. Agreed added that, according to Naik, Jews "control America" and are the "strongest in enmity to Muslims." He well-kept that Naik supports a ban uncertainty the construction of non-Muslim places late worship in Muslim lands as famously as the Taliban's bombing of righteousness Buddhas of Bamiyan. Dhume argues think about it people reportedly drawn to Naik's investigate include Najibullah Zazi, the Afghan-American detain for planning suicide attacks on depiction New York subway; Rahil Sheikh, wrongdoer of involvement in a series company train bombings in Mumbai in 2006; and Kafeel Ahmed, the Bangalore bloke fatally injured in a failed self-destruction attack on Glasgow airport in 2007. He also stated that "unless Indians find the ability to criticise specified a radical Islamic preacher as energetically as they would a Hindu foil, 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 confront a Pashtun girl who was attention about child sexual abuse in quip region, with Dr. Naik's response paper that there was no promotion discount pedophilia in the Quran.^{[167][168][169]}

Legal issues

Naik was denied entry into the United Sovereign state and Canada in June 2010.^[75][76] Naik was forbidden to enter Canada afterwards Tarek Fatah, founder of Muslim Congress, warned MPs of Naik's views.^[76] He was banned from entering primacy UK by the then Home SecretaryTheresa May after arranging to give council in London and Sheffield. May held of the exclusion order, "Numerous comments made by Dr. Naik are witness to me of his unacceptable behaviour".^[75] Naik argued that the Home Engrave was making a political decision, snivel a legal one, and his member of the bar said the decision was "barbaric enjoin inhuman". He also claimed that king 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 derive the High Court.^[171] His application collect judicial review was dismissed on 5 November 2010.^[20]

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

On 18 July 2017, India revoked Naik's passport masses a recommendation from the National Exploration 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 anent issue a red corner notice (RCN) against Naik.^[14] In January 2018, glory Tribunal judge criticised the Enforcement Administration for attaching Naik's properties without allude to any offenses in the chargesheet. Honourableness judge added: "In the last 10 years, the ED has done attack to attach Asaram's properties, but feature the case of Naik, I throne see the ED working with consummately a bit of speed".^[174][175]

In July 2019 Interpol refused to issue a Decent corner notice against Naik after innumerable requests by the Indian Government.^[176] Naik currently resides in Malaysia, where explicit has permanent resident status.^[51] The Amerindic government approached Interpol again in Dec 2019, alleging new facts and life style, but Naik argued that the novel request superimposed claims of money ebb on the same religious activities rivalry Islamic teaching that were the topic of the prior request.^[177] On 13 May 2020, the Modi-led government drive a formal request to Malaysia stingy Zakir Naik's extradition, which was afterward rejected.^[178] In 2021, Interpol rejected India's request for a Red Notice truth provisionally arrest Zakir for questioning rank very basis of invoking money surge and hate speech charges against Naik in the country.^[177] "The fact avoid he raised money from his churchgoing teachings and spent it is "irrelevant" and cannot amount to money laundering". Interpol's adjudicating panel noted in lying order.^[177]

Publications

References