Peace TV is not a permitted satellite channel for transmission on the cable network and hence cannot be carried by cable operators," Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir said.
The government said no links between terrorist groups and the foundation headed by controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik have come to its notice yet, but reports indicate that some known terrorists have reportedly been inspired by his speeches.
"So far, no links between terrorist organisations and Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) have come to the notice. However, reports indicate that some known terrorists have reportedly been inspired by the preachings of Dr Zakir Naik, President IRF," Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir said in a written reply in Lok Sabha.
"Peace TV is not a permitted satellite channel for transmission on the cable network and hence cannot be carried by cable operators," he said. "IRF is registered under the Foreign Contributions Regulations Act, 2010. Foreign contributions and their utilisation is checked and in case of violations, action taken under the provisions of the Act," he said.
Who is Dr Zakir Naik?
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.
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