Local Goa News

Monday, July 25, 2016

Zakir Naik says Indian media doctored his statements, Modi govt hasn't 'bothered' him so far

Controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik in an interview to India Today TV in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, alleged on Monday that the Indian media had doctored his statements and the Modi government had not "bothered" him till now.

"Indian media doctored my statements," Naik said in the interview. "Our channel is promoting peace...the present government (of India) has not called me so far," he said.
"I am not prepared for a media trial...I challenge Indian media to show my full lectures," he said.
Naik, who is currently in Saudi Arabia, is under the scanner of state and central agencies for his alleged incendiary speeches. He had rejected charges that his sermons inspired terror activity and had claimed that he has never encouraged anyone to kill innocents.
The preacher, who is facing heat over charges that he inspired some of the Dhaka cafe attackers, had condemned all terror attacks and dubbed himself as "a messenger of peace".
Further blaming the media in his interview to India Today TV, Naik said, "Bangladesh papers first said I was a terroirst...As far as I'm concered, the present government hasn't bothered me till now."
He also said that he had not said anything against the US in his lectures. "No religion tells us to kill innocents. I condemnded the 9/11 terror attacks. I condemn all terror attacks," he said. "Not a single lecture of mine has spread hatred...I never said people should take up arms against America." he added.
Naik also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his visit to Muslim nations. "He (Modi) is the first PM of India in so many years who has visited a lot of Muslim countries in such a short span of time," he said. "If the government needs co-operation from me, I am ready."
He further said that his lecture on Islam were progressive and he had taken the right stand on many issues. "Show me one lecture of mine which spreads disharmony...I have given a lecture on women's rights in Islam," he said.
"I call ISIS anti-Islamic State," Naik said.
When asked about what he thought about a uniform civil code, Naik said, "As far as univorm civil code is concerned, the rules and regulations laid in the Quran are the best for humanity. The teachings of Islam are best for humanity."
One of the slain attackers of the terror attack in Dhaka's high-security Gulshan area, the 22-year-old Rohan Imtiaz, had quoted Naik in a Facebook post in January this year where he had urged "all Muslims to be terrorists". Twenty-two people were killed in the brutal attack. Six days later, militants had attacked police guarding the largest Eid gathering in Bangladesh and killed three more people.
The activities of Naik's Mumbai-based Islamic Research Foundation are also under the scanner of Indian Ministry of Home Affairs amid allegations that funds from abroad received by it have been spent on political activities and inspiring people towards radical views.
(With inputs from PTI)

Firstpost India News

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