By: Azhar Azam
Zakir Abdul Karim Naik – a famous Indian doctor-turned-televangelist, Islamic preacher, and an authority on comparative religion – is now declared a ‘proclaimed offender’ by a special court in India; initiating the process to attach his assets in the country.
Naik, forced to leave his native country, is being probed by Indian National Investigation Agency (NIA) over terror and money laundering allegations after neighboring country Bangladesh claimed that one of the perpetrators of July 2016 Dhaka attack, that left 22 dead, was inspired by him. The country responded to banning his Peace TV; broadcasted from Dubai since 2006 and reportedly has over 100-million worldwide.
In the aftermath of Babri mosque demolition by Hindu extremists in the hometown (Mumbai) of Zakir Naik, which left around 1,700 dead (mostly Muslims), Muslims in India felt betrayed. Naik not only emerged as a savior to Muslim youth in India but also came up with answering Islamophobic questions, Mohammad Reyaz, a communications teacher in Kolkata, said while talking to aljazeera.
His whereabouts currently are unknown although he is rumored to have granted the citizenship of Saudi Arabia. He has also been traveling frequently between Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, and UAE, although stays mostly in Saudi Arabia.
The backdrop of this made-up enquiry hinges on a Bangladesh newspaper ‘The Daily Star’ deceitful report which interpreted that one of terrorists was inspired by Dr. Zakir Naik. The daily latter denied the accusation for making him responsible for inspiring one of the terrorists.
But the Indian media and investigative agencies picked up the report to propagate Naik as an inspiration to the terrorists and NIA finally filed criminal cases against the invaluable Islamic clerk in November last year. His organization, Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) along with its website was also imposed 5-years suspension without any substantial evidence and despite newspaper’s renunciation.
In March this year, Delhi High Court held the center’s decision to ban Naik’s foundation, dismissing its plea that challenged the ban. The court harmonized Indian government step in a bid ‘to safeguard national security’ and prevent Indian youth to radicalize by his speeches.
Naik’s lawyer pronounced the ban ‘illegal, unjustified, unwarranted’.
Since controversial 9/11 attacks, almost everyone is screaming at Muslims calling them terrorists, extremists, jihadists, and islamists. Many of the Munafiqeen (hypocrites) have always distinguished themselves from Muslims to unconditionally support such voices just to prove their allegiance to tyrants.
We should expect such an imposter attitude from both of them but shame on unprejudiced social activists, intellectuals who lock up their cheeks to speak the truth in the shadows of fear or going against fabricated-built public opinion in the context of Dr. Zakir Naik.
Dr. Zakir Naik is not only preaching Islam for years but also bridging up the gap between religions to develop interfaith harmony so closing this petite connection between religions would only delink the love, care, and urge for peace he is thinning out.
This perhaps is the unpardonable offense in the sight of the biased media manipulated by real hatemonger(s) sitting in the governing bodies of different states. How predisposed is this Indian media who remained sarcastic on the ‘selection’ of Modi as Prime Minister over the rapes, killings, and tortures on Muslims and mayhem in Indian Gujarat but razor-sharp on Dr. Zakir Naik.
It goes to make absolute nonsense when media quotes that the terrorists in Bangladesh were inspired by him. He is an eminent personality and followed by millions all over the world including Bangladesh by followers of various religions; Dr. Zakir can certainly not be blamed for the acts or deeds of each and every one.
Even if we buy this argument then before prosecuting him shouldn’t Naredra Modi, George Bush, Barrack Obama, Vladimir Putin, and Tony Blair be pushed in international court of justice for killing huge number of innocents in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Libya, Sudan, Syria, Palestine, and Kashmir.
If someone inspired by Modi, Obama or Putin commits a terrorist attack or an evil act; would anyone of these be banned, barred or interrogated? They have apparently double-standards for Muslims who themselves opt to be complaisant all the time despite being killed in millions.
When Dr. Zakir Naik is quoting Bible, Bhagwad Geeta or Mulmantra; he is serving Christians, Hindus and Sikhs and when he quotes Glorious Quran: "Say: 'O People of the Book! Come to common terms as between us and you: That we worship none but Allah; That we associate no partners with him; that we erect not, from among ourselves, Lords and patrons other than Allah'. If then they turn back, Say ye: "Bear witness that we (at least) are Muslims (bowing to Allah's Will)", he is striving for peace and is serving humanity.
Read “Concepts of God in Major Religions by Dr. Zakir Naik” and tell is he inspiring terrorists or provoking hate? Instead he is rejoining humans with the forgotten origin according to their scriptures so there is no question of abhorrence. He personally has denied all the allegations regarding supporting or inciting terrorism. He also rightly said that most of the clips shown on television were either out of context, half statements, or doctored.
“In conclusion, I repeat what I have always maintained – I DO NOT SUPPORT TERRORISM OR VIOLENCE in any form whatsoever. I have never supported any terrorist organization and have mentioned this over and over again in thousands of my public talks worldwide. I STRONGLY CONDEMN anyone taking my statements out of context and using it for VIOLENCE OF ANY FORM.”
Tarek Fatah is the man who misled MPs about Dr. Zakir to forbid his entrance in Canada. Earlier United Kingdom (UK) banned him for his lecture about Osama bin Laden and Taliban. Read this news that half-quotes Dr. Zakir Naik “every Muslim should be a terrorist” but watch the video it contains and check he actually says “every Muslim should be a terrorist if he is terrorizing the terrorists”.
So if a Christian, Hindu, Sikh, or Jew does not act in lines with the commandments of the scriptures; would the followers be blamed or the scriptures? You cannot obviously prosecute Bhagwad Geeta or Bible because one of its followers behaved inhumanly???
Stopping the voice of Dr. Zakir Naik would mean stopping the efforts of peace, reconciliation, and interfaith harmony so come across and #SupportZakirNaik as it isn’t about winning or losing; it’s about right or wrong!