 "Wanted in India, welcomed in Pakistan: What's controversial preacher Zakir Naik doing in neighbouring nation?")
They say one man’s hero is another man’s villain. And this adage proves right when it comes to radical Islamic preacher Zakir Naik. Wanted in India on alleged money laundering charges and promoting communal hatred, he has been welcomed by India’s neighbour and foe, Pakistan, with a red carpet.
On October 2, Naik, the doctor-turned-televangelist, also posted images of him with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during which the PM lauded Naik, saying he had personally benefitted from his lectures.
But what is Naik doing in Pakistan exactly? Why is he wanted in India? And will his visit to Pakistan escalate tensions between the two neighbouring countries?
We have all the answers for you.
Who is Zakir Naik?
Zakir Naik, a 58-year-old doctor by profession, is an Indian Islamic televangelist and the founder and president of the Islamic Research Foundation and the Peace TV Network.
His foray into televangelism occurred after he attended a lecture by South African Islamic preacher Ahmed Deedatʼs lecture in the late 1980s. Speaking on the same, he told the Times of India, “After I attended Deedatʼs lecture, I realised I would not go too far as a medical doctor. I aspired to be like him [Deedat].”
Following this, Naik began transforming himself, with some of his family friends and members noting that he was styling himself to be a clone of Deedat.
Since becoming a preacher — he has reportedly delivered over 1,500 public lectures since 1994 — Naik has often asserted that Islam is the only true religion and has even criticised other religions. He is also known for his support of Osama bin Laden, the founder of terror group Al Qaeda. He was quoted as saying, “If bin Laden is fighting the enemies of Islam, I am for him. If he is terrorising America, the biggest terrorist, I am with him. Every Muslim should be a terrorist.” He later said that he had been misquoted.
Apart from his views on Islam, he has also made headlines for his views on homosexuality and women’s rights. On the latter, he supports polygamy and even justifies domestic abuse, saying that men have the right to beat their wives “gently”.
He was once even quoted as saying, “Girls shouldn’t be sent to schools where they lose their virginity by the time they pass out. Schools should be shut down. They should not be allowed to wear gold ornaments.”
What’s Zakir Naik doing in Pakistan?
A current resident of Malaysia — he fled India in 2016 — he is in Pakistan on the invitation of the government and landed in Islamabad on Monday, September 30. This is his first visit to Pakistan since 1992. Accompanied by his son, Fariq, who is also an Islamic scholar, Zakir Naik is expected to be in the country until October 28 during which he will deliver a number of speeches as well as meet the top echelons of the Pakistan establishment.
On his arrival at Islamabad, the 58-year-old was accorded a red-carpet welcome by senior Pakistan officials, including the additional secretary of the ministry of religious affairs and interfaith and parliamentary secretary for religious affairs. He also met with Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Pakistan’s deputy prime minister and foreign minister.
In a post on X, Zakir Naik’s team announced, “On the invitation of the Government of Pakistan Dr Zakir Naik & Shaikh Fariq Naik’s Pakistan Tour 2024 Public Talks: Karachi - 5th & 6th Oct Lahore - 12th & 13th Oct Islamabad - 19th & 20th Oct.”
On Tuesday (October 1), Zakir Naik also met with National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and at the meeting praised the love and hospitality he had received in the country.
The controversial preacher in his meeting urged Muslim countries to shun their differences and unite and also praised Pakistan’s role in promoting the true teachings of Islam and fostering unity among Muslims.
Naik also met with Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman at his house in Islamabad during which the two discussed about spreading Islam’s true message of peace and love across the world.
He also visited an orphanage for girls; but, this visit created a controversy after Naik left the stage when the announcer invited the orphaned girls on stage to be felicitated. Reports say that the preacher took umbrage to the fact that the announcer called them “daughters”.
“You cannot touch them or call them your daughters,” he was quoted as saying, adding that the girls were considered “non-mahrams”.
The following day, Wednesday, Naik also met with Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif. The Pakistan PM praised Naik for projecting the real image of Islam across the world. “It is heartening to note that a vast majority of youth listened to his lectures,” the PM said, as per a report in The Dawn.
While government officials have been welcoming of Naik, the same can’t be said for all. Social activist Pervez Hoodbhoy told DW, “I am saddened but not shocked that Zakir Naik has been invited as a state guest.” He added, “The state is adding more fuel to the fire.”
Why is Zakir Naik wanted in India?
Zakir Naik’s visit to Pakistan is being closely watched by India, where he is wanted by the Enforcement Directorate as well as the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
Naik’s Peace Channel through which he spews his agenda is banned in India in connection with alleged money laundering and hate speeches. Moreover, he is accused of acquiring $28 million worth of criminal assets to buy property in India and finance events.
His Islamic Research Foundation is also banned in India on the charges that it encourages followers to promote enmity and hatred.
He is also linked to terror-related activities. Two individuals from Kerala who joined the Islamic State said they did so after meeting the preacher. He, however, has said that he had no role to play.
The alleged bombers who carried out an explosion in a café in Bangladesh’s Dhaka in July 2016, which killed 29, said they were admirers of Naik. While Islamic State took responsibility for the strike, one of the bombers told investigators that he watched Naik’s preachings on YouTube.
After his name came up in the blast, Naik fled the country and sought solace in Malaysia in 2016 and since then has not returned.
The probe in the 2020 Delhi riots also revealed that one of the accused — Kahlid Saifi — met Naik abroad and sought his support for “spreading his agenda”. In 2022, the IIT graduate Murtaza Ahmed Abbasi, who attacked two constables with a sharp-edged weapon outside the Gorakhnath temple in Uttar Pradesh, was an avid watcher of Naik’s videos.
Besides India, Naik is also banned in the United Kingdom, Canada, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka for allegedly inciting hate through his speeches.
A potential for rising tensions?
Pakistan’s choice to invite Zakir Naik, some analysts believe, could be a new pain point between India and Pakistan. After all, he is a wanted man in India.
Amit Ranjan, a research fellow at the Institute of South Asian Studies, National University of Singapore, told DW, “As Pakistan is already facing violence related to social and political problems, giving space to Naik is nothing but an addition to the existing tensions.”
Former Indian diplomat Kanwal Sibal also noted that giving a grand welcome to Naik serves as a lesson to those who advocate for peaceful ties with Islamabad. “There is a lesson in this invitation to Zakir Naik for those who advocate some diplomatic opening towards Pakistan, be it in sports, trade etc… Not a discourse intended to lower tensions with India. Shehbaz [Sharif] may get ‘shabash’ domestically, but it won’t improve Pakistan’s condition,” he wrote on X.
With inputs from agencies
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