Who is Zakir Naik? 10 things to know about the preacher

Naik has been in the news for having inspired the attackers involved in the Dhaka attack

With fiery statements ranging from calling out all Muslims to be terrorists to not acknowledging Osama Bin Laden as a terrorist, Zakir Naik has been controversy’s child for a while now. 

The Mumbai-based preacher has been in the news recently after reports emerged that the attackers in Dhaka may have been inspired from his teachings. 

In fact, Bangladesh has even asked India to examine his speeches. "Already there are certain complaints from the Maulanas of Bangladesh that his (Naik) teachings are not in line with the Quranic teachings and Hadith," information minister Hasanul Haq Inu said. "How much Naik's teachings influenced the terrorists that are to be investigated. We are investigating the whole matter. I also request the Indian government and information minister that they also examine the context of Dr Naik's teachings."

Here’s a look at a few things to know about the preacher. 

1. A medical doctor by profession, Naik is known to be a scholar on comparative religion and is the president of the Islamic Research Foundation. He claims to bring further clarity of Islam to Muslims and non-Muslims alike with the help of his speeches.

2. Described as a radical televangelist, he owns Peace TV and claims to have a viewership of 100 million. The channel was banned by the Indian government in 2012. However, according to a report in The Times of India, the channel continues to be aired in India via cable channels. The channel uplinks from Dubai and is available in the subcontinent. 

3. One of his most infamous comments has been on Muslims and terrorism. “When a robber sees a policeman he’s terrified. So for a robber, a policeman is a terrorist. So in this context, every Muslim should be a terrorist to the robber.”

4. He has maintained his stance that 9/11 attacks were an inside job and refuses to acknowledge Osama Bin Laden as a terrorist. "Beware of Muslims saying Osama Bin Laden is right or wrong. I reject them … we don’t know. “But if you ask my view, if given the truth, if he is fighting the enemies of Islam, I am for him. I don’t know what he’s doing. I’m not in touch with him. I don’t know him personally. I read the newspaper,” Naik is believed to have said, according to a report in ABP news.

5. With the recent controversy surrounding him, Naik will be holding a media briefing to present his side. His aides have constantly maintained that the allegations are a part of false propaganda. He is currently in Mecca and will be back in India on July 11. 

6. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is likely to question the preacher after the agency busted an IS module in Hyderabad and those arrested pointed to Naik’s speeches for inspiration. 

7. He has hit out at sportspersons like Sania Mirza for her choice of attire. He had said that Mirza must dress moderately while playing.

8. In fact, his rant against women’s choices continued when he said that wife-beating was not necessarily a bad thing in the Muslim world.  "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," was one of his statements, according to an India Today report.

9. Naik has been banned from entering Canada and the United Kingdom and many other countries for his inflammatory speeches. 

10. Apart from a crackdown by the government, Shiv Sena has also asked for a ban on Naik and his TV channel on the back of reports emerging out of Dhaka.