Profile of Zakir Naik, Controversial Preacher Hunted by Indian Police

malaysiakini.com

DELTASION.com – Zakir Naik, a fundamentalist Islamic preacher, has once again made headlines after rumors of his extradition from Oman to Malaysia on terrorism charges. Naik has been accused of spreading hate and money laundering and has been wanted by the Indian government since 2016. In this article, we will delve into the accusations against Naik, his past arrests, and his asylum in Malaysia.

Who is Zakir Naik?

Zakir Abdul Karim Naik was born in Mumbai and completed his education, including an MBBS degree, in the city. He became involved in socio-religious activities in his 20s and eventually founded the Islamic Research Foundation (IRF). However, the Indian government has banned the organization for its alleged involvement in unlawful activities.

Naik gained international attention after one of the suspects in the 2016 Dhaka cafe attack, which killed 22 people, said he was inspired by a speech by Zakir Naik. India's counterterrorism agency filed a complaint against Naik in the same year, accusing him of promoting religious hatred and other unlawful activities. On 17 November 2016, IRF was declared an unlawful organization under the Unlawful (Prevention) Activities Act, 1967 by the Centre.

Accusations against Zakir Naik

When confronted with accusations of hate speech, Zakir Naik consistently maintains that his statements are twisted and misinterpreted. His speech was broadcast on the Peace TV channel, which is banned in India, Canada, Britain, and Bangladesh.

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs extended the ban on IRF for another five years in November 2021, stating that the organization was engaged in activities that were detrimental to state security and had the potential to disturb communal peace and harmony. Naik is said to have encouraged his followers to carry out acts of enmity, hatred, or ill-will between various communities and religious groups that are detrimental to the integrity and security of the state.

Past arrests

Naik fled India in 2016 after being accused of spreading hate and money laundering. Since then, India has been trying to extradite him, although little progress has been made in this regard. Interpol has refused to issue a Red Notice for Zakir Naik.

In 2019, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said his country had the right not to extradite Naik if he did not get justice in India. That same year, he was banned from public speaking in Malaysia, after allegedly making racial remarks against the country's ethnic Hindu and Chinese community.

Asylum in Malaysia

In 2017, Zakir Naik sought asylum in Malaysia and is currently a permanent resident of the country. However, his asylum has been a controversial issue. Naik's speeches in Malaysia have also faced criticism, with some groups accusing him of spreading extremist ideas.

Despite the accusations against him, Naik remains a popular figure among some Muslims. His supporters claim that he is being unfairly targeted and that his speeches have been taken out of context.

Conclusion

Zakir Naik is a controversial figure who has been accused of spreading hate and money laundering. He fled India in 2016 and sought asylum in Malaysia, where he remains a permanent resident. His speeches and organizations have faced bans in several countries, including India, Canada, Britain, and Bangladesh. While some Muslims view him as a respected scholar, others have criticized his extremist ideas.