Zakir Naik allegedly denied permission for conference by Mumbai hotels

FP Staff • July 13, 2016, 16:08:23 IST

Controversial Islamic Preacher Zakir Naik called off his return to India and press conference on Monday. His Public Relations team has issued a statement regarding his press conference.

Zakir Naik allegedly denied permission for conference by Mumbai hotels

Miffed over the fourth cancellation of venue in Mumbai, the Public Relations team of the controversial Islamic preacher, Zakir Naik, issued a statement on Tuesday saying that hotels in Mumbai have been told not to give out venue for the press conference.

Although the PR team says that at least four hotels have cancelled their booking – the latest one being the World Trade Centre in Cuff Parade – they however said that they will hold the press conference at its scheduled time on 14 July but at a different venue. The statement, available with Firstpost, reads as follows:

File image of Zakir Naik. YouTube screengrab

“It’s weird - and unfair - what’s going on. Apparently, hotels in Mumbai have been told not to give out venue for Dr Zakir Naik’s press conference. 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. We had already sent out media invites with the WTC hall details yesterday (Tuesday).

And we’re talking about a press conference. 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.”

Naik was supposed to address the media on 14 July at 11.30 am at the World Trade Centre. Initially, he was to talk to the media on Monday after reaching Mumbai from Saudi Arabia.

Later his spokesperson informed the media that his trip to India has been cancelled and a new date would be set soon. The reason for the cancellation of his India trip was attributed to his “ever-changing” schedule.

Naik is set to leave on a tour of African countries in the next few weeks.

Bangladesh on Sunday banned the broadcasting of his Peace TV channel and despite allegations of influencing Islamic terrorists in India and abroad, he maintains that he does not support or propagate killing of innocent people.