Controversial speaker Zakir Naik is in the eye of the storm after it emerged that the Bangladeshi terrorists listened to his sermons. The Mumbai-based preacher has often been controversy’s child for a host of comments. Bangladesh has even asked the GOI to examine his speeches and Bangladesh information minister Hasanul Haq Inu said: “Already there are certain complaints from the Maulanas of Bangladesh that his (Naik) teachings are not in line with the Quranic teachings and Hadith. How much Naik's teachings influenced the terrorists that are to be investigated. We are investigating the whole matter. I also request the Indian government and information minister that they also examine the context of Dr Naik's teachings."
A medical doctor by profession, Zakir Naik is a scholar on comparative religion and president of the Islamic Research Foundation and claims he brings clarity about Islam to Muslims and non-Muslims. Similar to the Christian televangelists in America, he owns Peace TV which he claims has a viewership of 100 million. The channel has been banned the Indian government in 2012 but the channel continues to be aired via local cable channels and is available in Dubai as well.
Naik studied MBBS in the Topiwala Medical College and BYL Nair Charitable Hospital in Mumbai and was reportedly inspired by South African Islamic preacher Ahmed Deedat. Naik operates out of Dongri where he runs the establishment known as the Islamic Research Foundation (IRF). One of his most controversial comment on terrorism includes: “When a robber sees a policeman he’s terrified. So for a robber, a policeman is a terrorist. So in this context, every Muslim should be a terrorist to the robber.” He has also maintained that the 9/11 attack was an inside job and doesn’t believe Osama Bin Laden was a terrorist. He was quoted saying:
“Beware of Muslims saying Osama Bin Laden is right or wrong. I reject them … we don’t know. “But if you ask my view, if given the truth, if he is fighting the enemies of Islam, I am for him. I don’t know what he’s doing. I’m not in touch with him. I don’t know him personally. I read the newspaper.” The recent controversy surrounding his influence on the Dhaka terrorists saw him deny his influence and he will be back in India on July 11.
When dna contacted Islamic Research Foundation, Manzoor Shaikh, administration head who also handles its public relations said, "That attackers were his followers itself is news to me. I have not read it anywhere. There are followers all over the world of Dr. Zakir Naik."
The PR added, "If somebody does something wrong how do you say that he can be blamed for it. At any point can someone say that he has encouraged terrorism. As a matter of fact, he has always condemned it. Suppose someone is following and does something wrong and he should be blamed for it then it is very funny. He has gone for Umrah to Saudi Arabia with his family and he goes every year. Second week of July he will be coming back."
In the past, he has also hit out at sportspersons like Sania Mirza for her choice of attire, claiming she should dress more moderately while playing. The NIA is also likely to question the preacher in which an IS module in Hyderabad had members who were inspired by his speeches.
He also once said that wife-beating wasn’t necessarily a bad thing and said: "Girls shouldn't be sent to schools where they lose their virginity by the time they pass out. Schools should be shut down. They should not be allowed to wear gold ornaments.” Naik has been banned from Canada and UK for his inflammatory speeches. Currently, the Shiv Sena is also demanding a ban on Naik.
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