Islamic preacher Zakir Naik addressed the media via skype on Friday. He claimed that he did not inspire any terrorist and said he is a “messenger of peace”.
Addressing a press gathering through skype, the controversial Islamic preacher quoting the Holy Quran said ‘those who kill one innocent, kill humanity’. Zakir Naik is under fire over allegation of inspiring some of the Dhaka attackers through his speeches.
Naik, the founder of Mumbai-based Islamic Research Foundation, began his press conference by condoning the latest attack in France, where at least 84 people were killed as a man ploughed a truck into a crowd in the French resort of Nice after a Bastille Day fireworks.
“I will be giving pen drives that have answers to all allegations against me. Look at it with an unbiased mind, you’ll see I’m innocent,” Naik said on Friday.
“Suicide bombing is not permitted in Islam where innocent people are killed. It is wrong,” he said.
His sermons are telecast on Peace TV, run by his Islamic Research Foundation, and he also organises public lectures. His speeches on Peace TV were said to be popular in Bangladesh, where the network has been banned post the terror attack.
“I have never met any terrorist knowingly, but if some people stand next to me take photographs, I smile. I dont know who they are,” he added.
The 50-year-old Mumbai-based televangelist, who had earlier cancelled a press conference and had announced his visit to Africa from Saudi Arabia putting off his return to the country, challenged anyone to show him an unedited answer wherein he has not condemned suicide bombings.
Naik also maintained that no government agency has approached him to join investigation in connection with charges leveled against him until now.
“I am willing to co-operate with any probe agency if they approach me,” he added.
He also claimed that he had even addressed IPS officials in the past.
