|
| 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.