India : Islamic Preacher Denies Inciting Terrorism

Jeddah, 11 Syawal 1437/16 July 2016 (MINA) – Controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, whose sermons allegedly influenced at least two militants who attacked a café in Bangladesh earlier this month, told reporters Friday that Indian agencies were targeting him unfairly in probes into his activities.

“I did not inspire any terrorists. Suicide bombings targeting innocent people are condemnable. My statements have been taken out of context. I am a messenger of peace,” Naik, 50, whose Peace TV channel was banned in Bangladesh in the wake of the July 1 Dhaka attack, told Indian journalists from Saudi Arabia during a press conference held via Skype on Friday.

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He said his statements on terrorism and suicide bombings reported by the Indian media were “tampered and doctored.”

Naik said he had applied for permission from Indian authorities to air Peace TV through his Mumbai-based Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) in 2008, but the request was denied “possibly because the channel was Islamic.”

Although Peace TV does not have a license to air in India, it is widely broadcast in several parts of the country through private cable TV operators.

The doctor-turned-preacher, who mostly delivers his sermons clad in western suits and in English, said he was not planning to return to India this year, but added that he was willing to cooperate with any investigation if approached.

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‘Not running away’

“I am not running away. As per my travel plans, I am supposed to come to India by next year, not before that,” Naik said.

Even though Naik said he had not been contacted by any Indian investigating agency, Mumbai-based intelligence sources told BenarNews that all angles related to the televangelist, including his speeches, were being probed.

In an apparent reference to Naik, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who belongs to the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has said “preachers of hate and violence are threatening the fabric of our society.”

Last week, Information and Broadcasting Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu hinted at “appropriate action” against Naik, calling his speeches “highly objectionable.”

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The home ministry is checking for possible violations that Naik’s IRF may have committed under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) while receiving foreign funds in India, the official said. (T/R07/R01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)