Controversial Islamic Preacher Zakir Naik's Recent Activities and Controversies

Controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik has been in the spotlight recently due to his high-profile visit to Pakistan and several contentious incidents. Naik, who is wanted in India for alleged money laundering and inciting extremism through hate speeches, left India in 2016 and has been living in Malaysia with permanent residency granted by the previous government led by Mahathir Mohamed.

Meeting with Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif

On October 2, 2024, Zakir Naik met with Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during his month-long visit to Pakistan. This visit marks Naik's first trip to Pakistan in three decades, with his last visit being in 1992. Prime Minister Sharif praised Naik's lectures, describing them as 'insightful and impactful' and noting their significant following among young audiences.

Naik's visit to Pakistan includes a series of public lectures in major cities such as Karachi, Islamabad, and Lahore. He was received at the New Islamabad Airport by high-ranking officials, including the Chairman of the Pakistan Prime Minister's Youth Program, Rana Mashhood, and the Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Syed Atta-ur-Rehman.

Controversy Over Referring to Orphan Girls

During his visit, Naik was involved in a controversy when he abruptly left an event where he was invited to present awards to young orphan girls. The incident occurred when the host referred to the girls as 'daughters,' a term Naik deemed inappropriate. He stated that the girls were considered 'non-mahrams,' meaning they were eligible for marriage, and thus could not be referred to as 'daughters'.

This incident highlights the ongoing controversies surrounding Naik's views and public interactions. His strict adherence to Islamic principles often leads to misunderstandings and conflicts in public settings.

Legal and Diplomatic Implications

Zakir Naik is currently wanted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) of the Government of India under a 2016 money laundering case. His channel, PeaceTV, is banned in India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka due to its controversial content. Naik has also been denied entry into Canada and the United Kingdom.

The Indian government has been seeking Naik's extradition, and the issue was recently raised with Qatar during the 2022 FIFA World Cup, where Naik was invited to deliver lectures. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has indicated that Malaysia may consider India's request for extradition if sufficient evidence is provided.

Naik's activities and speeches have been under scrutiny for their potential to incite extremism. His organization, the Islamic Research Foundation (IRF), has been declared an 'unlawful association' under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in India.

For more information on the legal framework surrounding such cases, see the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

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