Denying Zakir Naik presser before proving him 'guilty' isn’t right, it’ll only backfire

Controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik has reportedly been denied venues in Mumbai to hold his press conference scheduled for 14 July. Naik, who is facing allegations of inspiring terrorists involved in the Dhaka attacks and some members of Islamic State’s Hyderabad module, was planning to hold a press conference via Skype at the World Trade Centre (WTC) in Mumbai on Thursday. Besides WTC, Naik has reportedly also been denied permission by three other hotels. [caption id=“attachment_2891616” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File image of Zakir Naik. YouTube screengrab[/caption] “At least 4 hotels, after confirming availability, and some even after taking the booking, have cancelled. The latest one is the World Trade Centre, who after taking the booking yesterday (Tuesday), called today (Wednesday) to cancel it,” said a person close to Naik, in Mumbai, said. “We had already sent out media invites with the WTC hall details yesterday (Tuesday). And we’re talking about a press conference (PC). Not a public speech, not a public performance, but a press conference! We’re now trying to organise another venue for the PC and the PC will happen at its scheduled time and date, albeit at a different venue,” said the person. However, WTC spokesperson has denied that Naik even approached them for a press conference venue. “This is to inform and clarify that the World Trade Centre Mumbai has not been booked for the Zakir Naik Press Conference ‘via Skype’ on 14 July, 2016 at 11:30 am, as mentioned in the Online News Portals,” the spokesperson said. According to Naik’s aide, besides WTC three other hotels,  including Taj and ITC Grand Central, too denied them permission to hold a press conference. Naik, currently believed to be in Saudi Arabia, had earlier said that he’ll return to Mumbai on Monday and will meet the press in person. This was cancelled later. However, Naik said he’ll hold a Skype presser on Thursday. “We had planned Trident and later changed the plan because of investigations by central agencies. Anyways, Naik is an NRI and keep travelling abroad. So, we decided to hold the presser and approached three more hotels – Taj, Sahil Hotel and ITC. WTC said there is an issue of power failure in the building. This is a weird reason and just an excuse. We are not in a position to say who could have instructed these hotels,” Mobin Solkar, Naik’s advocate told Firstpost. If indeed Naik has been denied venue for his presser by the government or any other authorities even before any legal charges are established against him, that’s a wrong move and can eventually backfire. Naik should be given an opportunity to answer the questions of the local media and face investigations. Ever since the controversies began, Naik has responded through short video responses and a written statement. Preventing him from addressing the press could prove to be counterproductive because it will help the controversial preacher, whose talk advocates the supremacy of Islam over other religions, gain more public support. Beside the media hullabaloo and certain comments from government functionaries, so far, there are no cases registered against Naik in India. As _Firstpost_ noted earlier , it is hard to pinpoint a legal case on Naik. There is no serious charge against the suave, English-speaking preacher from Dongri in Mumbai, apart from the possible charges of hurting religious sentiments. There isn’t any strong evidence of Naik’s terror-links apart from the allegations that he has inspired Dhaka and Hyderabad terrorists linked to the Islamic State. Even when Naik advocates the false notions of religious supremacy or the merits of Taliban-like social codes, offers a defence of Osama Bin Laden, pledges allegiance to Islamic terrorists, argues against girls’ education and the LGBT community, he has been doing it through carefully-worded and clever caveats. Naik’s allegiance to terrorism before the camera isn’t unconditional. So, in a way Naik has always played safe not to get entangled in these legal charges. Naik, in his statement made on Monday, maintained that he did not support terrorism or violence ‘in any form whatsoever’." I have never supported any terrorist organisations and have mentioned this over and over again in thousands of my public talks worldwide. I strongly condemn anyone taking my statements out of context and using it for violence of any form," he said. Nevertheless, there are reasons to believe that Naik’s speeches have indeed raised concerns for the government and have been identified as a threat to the religious harmony of the country. His speeches and activities therefore, needs a close examination. But, the main point here is that preventing Naik from holding a presser and facing the media will only help to generate more public support for the controversial preacher. It will not address the problem.