He came under scanner for his controversial statements on religion.
Shiv Sena has requested the India Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to take stringent action against Islamic televangelist Dr Zakir Naik who was followed by one of the five Bangladeshi militants, who killed 22 people at a restaurant in Dhaka. Naik, in his lecture aired on Peace TV, an international Islamic channel, had reportedly “urged all Muslims to be terrorists”. He came under scanner for his controversial statements on religion. Naik is hugely popular in Bangladesh through his Peace TV, although his preachings often demean other religions and even other Muslim sects. He has already been under police radar for more than a decade. Sena also wanted the government to keep an eye on those who radicalise youth to join terror outfits. Already there have been reports about youth joining terror groups after they are being radicalised through social media.
Shiv Sena MP Arvind Sawant will urge the Home Ministry to impose a ban on Zakir Naik. He said, “People whose language propagates violence against nation’s unity, they should be banned. I will write to the Home Minister that such people and the youngsters need to be kept a tab on.”
“We should know the seriousness of this situation. Radicalized minds can now take any step. In the name of Islam, they are slaughtering people who cannot recite verses,” Sawant added.
Bangladesh has already sought India’s assistance for tightening investigation against Naik. The Mumbai police have questioned office bearers of Naik’s Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) on Wednesday. The government is likely to take action against Naik.
“Zakir Naik’s speech is a matter of concern for us. Our agencies are working on this. But as a minister, I will not comment what action will be taken,” Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju said.
Rijiju said India has good relations and mutual understanding with Bangladesh, especially in the matter of co-operation on fighting terrorism.
“Terror can be defeated only through close coordination and by fighting together (against it),” he said.
Mahtab Alam, a student of Delhi University said, “I think Dr Zakir Naik has nothing to do with these Dhaka terrorists. He not only possesses knowledge of Islam but also is aware about other religions too. Even Ravan was a follower of Lord Shiva so can anybody blame the deity? Due to the presence of 5 per cent bad elements fingers are pointed against the Muslim community.”
Nazir Alig a student from Aligarh Muslim University said, “I have not heard about any controversial statements issued by Dr Zakir Naik. He is a preacher and wants interreligious unity and peace among all communities. If Dhaka terrorists misinterpret his speech and teaching, how can he be held responsible for that? Moreover, he never motivated people to indulge in violence.”
Rais Khan a businessman said, “I am unaware about his role in Dhaka attack, whether terrorists get inspired by him or not. But personally I don’t listen to him and disapprove of his thoughts and ideas.”
“The Saudi regime, which executed most Muslims based on its salafist cum Wahabist theology and has destroyed most Islamic monuments across history had bestowed an award on Zakir Naik last year. Same theology is depicted and flows across in ISIS and Zakir Naik in such factual condition what we can expect from him. Now it is the responsibility of NIA to investigate with utmost integrity without any appeasement” said Yusuf Khan Vice Chairman atInternational Human Rights protection council Goa State.
“Zakir never ever supported terrorism most of the time he quoted Qur’anic verses. If someone killed one innocent person that means he has killed the whole humanity. I disagree with many points of Zakir but I am sure he cannot support violence,” said Nadeem Khan a Muslim think tank.
On the other hand, Naik defended himself and said that the term Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) is “un-Islamic”. He said, “By using the name Islamic State, we are condemning Islam… They are the anti-Islamic state of Iraq and Syria that has killed innocent foreigners. The name is given by enemies of Islam.”
