Facing probe, Islamic preacher Zakir Naik postpones return to India

New Delhi: Controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, who was supposed to return to India from Saudi Arabia on Monday, will not be coming back, for now.

The Islamic Research Foundation (IRF), a charitable organisation founded by Naik, has confirmed this.

Earlier, reports had claimed that Naik, who has been in news ever since it emerged that two of the Dhaka attack terrorists were inspired by him, has delayed his return to India amid probes by multiple agencies into his controversial activities.

An IRF spokesperson further said that a press conference which Naik was due to address in Mumbai tomorrow also stands cancelled.

 

Zakir Naik is not coming back to India neither today nor tomorrow, the spokesperson said, adding he will return only after things become clear on investigations by agencies.

It was being reported that Naik will be summoned by the Mumbai Police as well as the National Investigation Agency (NIA) upon his return to India.

Further, reports had said citing sources that he will be constantly monitored by various central and state intelligence as well as counter-terrorism agencies after he lands in Mumbai.

Earlier, security was tightened in Mumbai as different groups were planning to hold protests as well as marches in Naik's support after his return.

Further, policemen were posted outside the Mumbai office of the Islamic Research Foundation.

 

A television channel run by Naik, a televangelist, has already been banned by the Bangladesh government.

'Peace TV' has also come under the scanner of the Indian government with ministers saying it had no license to downlink in India.

The focus of probes by multiple agencies are Naik's speeches and videos in which he is alleged to have advocated Muslims to take up terrorism.

The Mumbai-based preacher has, however, denied asking Muslims to resort to terrorism, saying no innocent person should be killed.

Naik has also described the Islamic State terror group as “un-Islamic”.

It may be recalled that the Islamic State had claimed responsibility for the recent terror attack in Dhaka where hostages were held and killed at a popular cafe in the Bangladeshi capital's diplomatic zone.