‘Zakir Naik misleading people’

THEIR VIEW Sunni, Shia clerics demand ban on his activities in India

LUCKNOW: Controversial preacher, Zakir Naik of Mumbai has drawn flak from both Sunni and Shia clerics of Lucknow.

In separate statements issued here on Friday, Sunni cleric shahar qazi Mufti Abul Irfan Mian Firangi Mahali and Shia cleric Maulana Kalbe Jawad demanded action against Naik and ban on all his activities in India.

Zakir Naik is in the thick of controversy after the Bangladesh government accused him of inspiring (through his speeches) terrorists responsible for the deadly attack in Dhaka.

Late on July 1, terrorists had stormed the famous Holey Artisan Bakery in Dhaka and hacked to death 20 hostages, including an Indian girl Tarishi Jain, who was a native of Firozabad district.

Bangladesh had said Naik, a televangelist and Islamic preacher, whose sermons on television and online platforms draw large audience across the world, inspired two of the seven young terrorists who hacked 20 people in a Dhaka café.

“Zakir Naik is no scholar. He is misleading people and is an agent of those countries which are spreading terrorism in the world. Earlier also, I had issued a fatwa against him, ex-communicating him from Islam,” said shahar qazi Mufti Abul Irfan Mian Firangi Mahali.

“The government must not only impose a ban on all activities of Zakir Naik in India but also order a probe into all his activities,” said Irfan Mian.

Who is behind Zakir Naik and where is he getting funds from, asked the shahar qazi.

Irfan Mian Firangi Mahali had issued a fatwa (edict) against Zakir Naik way back in November 2008 which had described him as a ‘kafir’ (agnostic). The fatwa had also demanded that Naik should be ex-communicated from Islam.

Renowned Shia cleric Maulana Kalbe Jawad also castigated Zakir Naik and sought a ban on his books and activities in India.

“Terrorist organisations are preparing scholars and maulvis all across the world who are misleading youths. Zakir Naik is also a part of such an organisation,” said Jawad.

“In his speeches, Zakir Naik has on several occasions, lauded Osama Bin Laden and Mullah Omar. He has tried to incite Muslim youths against non-Muslims. The government must impose a ban on Zakir Naik and all his CDs and books available in the market,” added Jawad.

The Shia cleric also asserted that Zakir Naik was part of Pakistani spy agency ISI’s network.