Islamic preacher Zakir Naik denies reports of coming to India

Controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik has outrightly denied media reports of his arriving in India on Wednesday night. He termed the reports to be ‘totally baseless and false’. Naik is also the founder of Mumbai based NGO, Islamic Research Foundation. His NGO was declared unlawful association by the Union Home Ministry.

Naik is facing charges of inciting communal disharmony. The Government of India has sent a request to Malaysian government seeking extradition of Naik.

News agency ANI quoted a statement from Zakir Naik as saying, ‘The news of my coming to India is totally baseless and false. I have no plans to to come to India till I don’t feel safe from unfair prosecution. Insha Allah when i feel that the government will be just and fair, I will surely return to my homeland.’

ANI also quoted sources in government stating that they have seen media reports regarding the deportation of Zakir Naik by the Malaysian government but there was no official confirmation in this regard.

Naik had fled India in July 2016, after terrorists in Bangladesh had claimed that they were inspired by his speeches. Last year in December, Interpol had rejected India’s request of issuing Red Corner Notice (RCN) against Zakir Naik seeking his deportation.

In November 2016, National Investigating Agency (NIA) had registered a case against Zakir Naik under various sections of the IPC and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

By EP Web Desk