Showing posts with label Zakir Naik. Show all posts

Wednesday, 8 November 2017

KUALA LUMPUR: The government is satisfied that controversial preacher Dr Zakir Naik does not promote terrorism, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said.

Zahid, who is also the Home Minister said, it drew the conclusion after the ministry had gone through all the videos and transcript of speeches made by Zakir, both locally and overseas.

He added allegations of Zakir promoting hate speech might be due to his words being taken out of context.

"We have gone through all of his speeches and none of them was found to be promoting terrorism," he said.

"The interpretation (of promoting terrorism) was made by several figures overseas. The incident in Dhaka was a perception of that country," he told parliament yesterday while replying to points raised during the debate on the budget.

The controversial preacher is being sought by India for alleged link to terrorism, including a terror attack in Dhaka, Bangladesh, last year that had left scores of people dead.

In April, Zahid had confirmed that the government has granted permanent resident status to Zakir five years ago.

Zahid also dismissed foreign news report indicating that Zakir had tried to apply for citizenship in Malaysia.

He added the government would repatriate the preacher to India if it received a request of Mutual Legal Assistance.

Zahid said so far the Indian government had not sent any request to Malaysia to extradite the preacher.

"I have met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Zakir was among the matters raised. At that time, there was no request to extradite Zakir," he said.

Zahid said Zakir would continue to enjoy his permanent resident status as long as he did not breach any laws or promote terrorism in Malaysia.

http://www.thesundaily.my/news/2017/11/08/review-zakir-naiks-speeches-shows-no-terrorism-zahid-updated

Thursday, 7 September 2017

Govt files application to strike out suit against Zakir Naik

KUALA LUMPUR: A civil suit attempting to bar Dr Zakir Naik (pix) from entering the country has hit a snag after the Government filed a last minute application to strike it out.

Thursday, 7 Sep 2017

Judge Azizah Nawawi postponed the hearing to Sept 21.

Lawyer S. Karthigesan, who represented the 17 who filed the suit, said he was told the application was made on points of law.

"Sure, such an application can be made at any time, but why do it so late? They've had six months to address this," he told reporters outside the courtroom Thursday.

Malay-rights group Perkasa is acting as intervener in the case, and had also applied to strike out the suit.

In the originating summons filed on March 1, Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) chairman P. Waytha Moorthy and 16 others named Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Immigration Department director-general, National Registration Department director-general, Inspector-General of Police, and the Malaysian Government as the defendants.

They are seeking a declaration that the popular preacher is a threat to public peace and an order to stop him from coming into the country or remaining here.

They also sought a court order to revoke Zakir’s permanent residency in Malaysia.

They claimed that Zakir had promoted terrorism, barred from entering several other countries for alleged collaboration with terrorist groups, and incited foreigners in Malaysia to disturb public order.

http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/09/07/govt-files-application-to-strike-out-suit-against-zakir-naik/

Saturday, 22 July 2017

Zakir Naik cancels appearance at Islamic scholars conference

Controversial preacher Dr Zakir Naik (pic) cancelled his appearance at an Islamic scholars conference in Kelantan due to "unforeseen circumstances".

Saturday, 22 July 2017 | MYT 7:56 PM

PETALING JAYA: Controversial preacher Dr Zakir Naik (pic) cancelled his appearance at an Islamic scholars conference in Kelantan due to "unforeseen circumstances".

Dr Zakir was originally scheduled to appear at the Persidangan Antarabangsa Perpaduan Ummah in Kota Baru, organised by PAS.

PAS deputy president Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said that the party had received a letter from Dr Zakir stating that he was unable to attend the conference due to unforeseen circumstances.

The Times of India reported this week that Dr Zakir's Indian citizenship had been revoked.

According to the daily, the revocation by the regional passport office in Mumbai followed a recommendation from India's National Investigation Agency (NIA).

The agency has already booked Dr Zakir under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act over his speeches, which allegedly incited youth to commit terror acts.

The NIA moved for the revocation after the preacher's failure to respond to multiple notices asking him to cooperate in investigations.

The revocation restricts his movements, as Dr Zakir reportedly travels between Saudi Arabia, where he was granted citizenship recently, Malaysia and other countries after leaving India in 2016.

A non-bailable warrant was issued against the preacher on April 21.

It was reported that the NIA had also approached Interpol seeking a Red Notice against Dr Zakir.

http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/07/22/zakir-cancels-appearance-at-conference/

Wednesday, 19 July 2017

India revokes Dr Zakir Naik's passport

PETALING JAYA: The Indian government has revoked the passport of controversial preacher Dr Zakir Naik.

19 July 2017

- Bernama

PETALING JAYA: The Indian government has revoked the passport of controversial preacher Dr Zakir Naik (pic).

According to The Times of India, the revocation by the regional passport office in Mumbai follows a recommendation from India's National Investigation Agency (NIA).

The agency has already booked him under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act over his speeches, which allegedly incited youth to commit terror acts.

It then moved for the revocation of his passport after his failure to respond to multiple notices asking him to join the investigation and for not cooperating with them.

The revocation will now restrict his movements, say officials, as Zakir reportedly travels between Saudi Arabia, where he was granted citizenship recently, Malaysia and other countries after leaving India in 2016, The Times of India reported.

A non-bailable warrant was issued against him on April 21, and during its issuance, a special NIA court in Mumbai had said that there were "reasonable grounds to believe that Naik is evading arrest and that he will not voluntarily appear before the court or before the agency".

It is also reported that NIA had also approached Interpol seeking a red corner notice against him.

http://www.thestar.com.my/news/regional/2017/07/19/india-revokes-dr-zakir-naik-passport/

Saturday, 20 May 2017

Zakir Naik granted Saudi citizenship

PETALING JAYA: Saudi Arabia has granted citizenship to controversial preacher Dr Zakir Naik, who has an Interpol Red Notice on him calling for his arrest.

Saturday, 20 May 2017 | MYT 12:07 PM

PETALING JAYA: Saudi Arabia has granted citizenship to controversial preacher Dr Zakir Naik (pic), who has an Interpol Red Notice on him calling for his arrest.

Dr Zakir is a wanted man in India for allegedly financing terror activities and money-laundering.

According to the Middle East Monitor, the 51-year-old preacher left India last year in an apparent bid to evade arrest.

This was after some of those involved in the Dhaka terror attack, which saw people hacked to death, claimed that they were inspired by him.

Indian enforcement officials have revoked Dr Zakir's passport and approached Interpol to issue a Red Notice, which requests member nations to locate and provisionally arrest an individual pending extradition.

The Middle East Monitor reported that Dr Zakir, who was in Saudi Arabia, would be forced to return to India if his passport was revoked.

The portal said the Mumbai passport office did not appear to have anticipated Saudi Arabia granting citizenship to him and moved to revoke his passport while a special court sent out an arrest warrant for him.

Dr Zakir was denied entry into Canada and the United Kingdom in 2012 after reportedly expressing support for terrorist group Al-Qaeda.

Peace TV, his television channel, has also been banned in Bangladesh, Canada and in the United Kingdom.

However, it recently came to light that he was given Permanent Resident (PR) status in Malaysia five years ago.

Dr Zakir's recent presence in Malaysia had ruffled the feathers of MIC Youth, which has lodged multiple police reports against him.

http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/05/20/zakir-naik-granted-saudi-citizenship/

Thursday, 27 April 2017

2 Mar 2015: Outspoken Indian preacher wins Saudi prize for service to Islam

RIYADH: An Indian television preacher who has called the 9/11 attacks an "inside job" received one of Saudi Arabia's most prestigious prizes on Sunday, for "service to Islam." Zakir Naik, president of the Islamic Research Foundation in India, was one of five recipients of the King Faisal International Prize from Saudi Arabia's King Salman during a ceremony at a luxury Riyadh hote...

RIYADH: An Indian television preacher who has called the 9/11 attacks an "inside job" received one of Saudi Arabia's most prestigious prizes on Sunday, for "service to Islam."

Zakir Naik, president of the Islamic Research Foundation in India, was one of five recipients of the King Faisal International Prize from Saudi Arabia's King Salman during a ceremony at a luxury Riyadh hotel.

The annual prizes are a project of the King Faisal Foundation, established in 1976 by the children of King Faisal bin Abdul Aziz who died in 1975.

Naik was honoured for being one of the most renowned non-Arabic speaking promoters of Islam. He founded the Peace TV channel, billed as the world's only channel specialising in comparative religion.

It has an estimated English-language audience exceeding 100 million, according to his award citation.

"Islam is the only religion that can bring peace to the whole of humanity," he said in a video biography aired at the ceremony.

In a July 2008 Peace TV broadcast Naik suggested that Al-Qaeda was not responsible for flying hijacked airliners into New York's World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, killing almost 3,000 people.

"Even a fool will know that this was an inside job," he said in the video, claiming then-President George W. Bush was behind the attacks.

In 2010 Naik was reportedly barred from entering Britain after the Home Secretary cited "numerous comments" which showed his "unacceptable behaviour".

Naik told Sunday's ceremony that he would donate all of his $200,000 prize money to Peace TV.

The other prize winners were:

» In Islamic studies, Saudi Arabia's Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Kaki for his research on the cultural heritage of the Muslim holy city of Medina

» In medicine, Jeffrey Ivan Gordon of the United States, whose research has enhanced understanding of diseases such as obesity, which is a growing problem in Saudi Arabia

» In science: Michael Gratzel of Switzerland for his development of solar cells, and co-winner Omar Mwannes Yaghi of the United States for his work in the new field of metal organic frameworks. – AFP

http://www.thesundaily.my/news/1342212

Zakir Naik's articles in The Sun

Tamil daily denies link with Zakir Naik, calls allegation 'baseless and fake'

KUALA LUMPUR: Tamil daily Malaysia Nanban has refuted allegations of sponsoring and supporting the controversial televangelist Zakir Naik, stating that such claims was "baseless" and "fake". The newspaper's director, Datuk Shafee Zaman Sikandar Batcha, said the issue started with the spread of a Whatsapp message that went viral and was later blown out of proportion. "We...

Article - 24/04/2017 - 8:06pm - 0 comments

Malaysia to assist India in Dr Zakir Naik probe (Updated)

PUTRAJAYA: Controversial Muslim preacher Dr Zakir Naik has permanent resident (PR) status in Malaysia, which was granted to him about five years ago, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. Nonetheless, Ahmad Zaid who is also the Home Minister said Malaysia will assist India to investigate the Islamic Research Foundation president if that country made a reque...

MCCBCHST calls govt to ban Zakir Naik

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) has called on the government to withdraw the visa granted to controversial Indian preacher Dr Zakir Naik to enter the country. In a statement, the council expressed its "profound regret" that Malaysian authorities have chosen to ignore all representations and repor...

Article - 08/03/2017 - 7:39pm - 0 comments

Citizens file originating summons against Zakir Naik

KUALA LUMPUR: Some 19 citizens including human rights activists have jointly filed an originating summons against controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik on grounds that he is a threat to national security and public order. The group, led by lawyer and Hindraf chairman P....

Article - 01/03/2017 - 8:16pm - 0 comments

Letters - We are what we do, not what we claim to be

A NEWS report with a heading Zakir Naik: I'm a messenger of peace ... caught my eye. I do hope that Zakir is what he claims to be, but a man of peace does not label others as terrorists. A man of peace is determined by his actions. The focus should be on lifting up one's community instead of pulling others down through condemnation. ...

Article - 12/03/2017 - 4:25pm - 0 comments

Another four non-Muslims embrace Islam at Dr Zakir's lecture

KUALA LUMPUR: After the conversion to Islam of a Christian teenager by international preacher Dr Zakir Naik in Kemaman last Thursday, another four non-Muslims recited the syahadah (declaration of the Islamic faith) last night. One of them was 23-year-old Hurender Bal Singh, from India, who made the decision after he was satisfied with the explanation by the preacher about a non-M...

Article - 17/04/2016 - 2:19pm - 0 comments

Organiser expect full house for Zakir Naik's forum

PETALING JAYA: The organiser of the forum featuring controversial Muslim preacher Dr Zakir Naik at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil expect a full house on Saturday. Programme director Abu Shariz Sarajun Hoda told Utusan Malaysia that to date 18,000 tickets for the event have been fully distributed to the public. He said more than 30,000 people are expected to ...

Article - 14/04/2016 - 4:38pm - 0 comments

Teenager converts to Islam during Dr Zakir Naik's talk

KEMAMAN: Members of the audience who attended the talk by famed Muslim preacher from India Dr Zakir Naik here last night will probably never forget the moment they witnessed him guiding a teenager who converted to Islam. In full view of the audience who numbered almost 40,000 at Padang Astaka here, Woo Nina Grace, 19, recited the syahadah (declaration of faith) and became a Musli...

Article - 15/04/2016 - 4:48pm - 0 comments

Zakir Naik thanks govt for allowing his lecture in Melaka

BESUT: International Islamic preacher Dr Zakir Naik has thanked the Malaysian Government for allowing him to give a public lecture in Melaka on Sunday. He expressed gratitude even though the title of his lecture had to be changed from 'Similarities between Hinduism and Islam' to 'Women's Rights in Islam'. "With what has happened, I could feel that the attendees in Melaka will in...

Article - 13/04/2016 - 4:22pm - 0 comments

‘Zakir not promoting terrorism’

KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has dismissed suggestions that controversial Muslim preacher Dr Zakir Naik is promoting terrorism. Ahmad Zahid said he had obtained information on several of Zakir's speeches in other countries, including in his home country India, and believes that the latter's speeches had been taken out of context. "From the in...

Article - 15/04/2016 - 1:40am - 0 comments

Shahidan: Forum by Zakir Naik will go on albeit with different title

KUALA LUMPUR: Both forums by controversial Muslim preacher Dr....

Article - 12/04/2016 - 8:57pm - 0 comments

Cops forbid Zakir Naik from speaking at UTeM forum

KUALA LUMPUR: Controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik (pix) who was scheduled to speak at a forum in a university in Malacca on Sunday has been barred from the event by police. In a Facebook posting, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said considering "public order and religious sensitivities", the Indian orator will be disallowed from speaking at th...

Article - 11/04/2016 - 2:48pm - 0 comments

Terengganu govt only provides accommodation, food for Dr Zakir, says Ahmad Razif

KUALA NERUS: The Terengganu government only provides accommodation and food for Muslim preacher Dr Zakir Naik during his stay in the state, while other expenses are borne by himself through the Islamic Research Foundation, said Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman. He said the Terengganu people were fortunate to have Dr Naik come to the state to give his lectures....

Article - 11/04/2016 - 2:18pm - 0 comments

Umno senator wants authorities to facilitate lectures by controversial Islamic preacher

KUALA LUMPUR: An Umno senator called on the authorities to facilitate public lectures by controversial Islamic preacher Dr Zakir Naik. Senator Engku Naimah Engku Taib said Zakir is helping to promote the word of Islam and his lectures had so far drew crowds of tens of thousands. "Zakir's lectures drew up to 30,000 people, and not just Muslims as non-Muslims are attending these l...

Outspoken Indian preacher wins Saudi prize for service to Islam

‘Zakir not promoting terrorism’

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has dismissed suggestions that controversial Muslim preacher Dr Zakir Naik is promoting terrorism. Ahmad Zahid said he had obtained information on several of Zakir's speeches in other countries, including in his home country India, and believes that the latter's speeches had been taken out of context.

Posted on 14 April 2016 - 09:41pm
Last updated on 15 April 2016 - 01:40am

Amar Shah Mohsen and Timothy Achariam
newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Ahmad Zahid tries his hand at making tosai at the tea reception hosted by the Gurdwara Sahib Sentul. — Sunpix by Zulkifli Ersal

KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has dismissed suggestions that controversial Muslim preacher Dr Zakir Naik is promoting terrorism.

Ahmad Zahid said he had obtained information on several of Zakir's speeches in other countries, including in his home country India, and believes that the latter's speeches had been taken out of context.

"From the information that I have, he did not mean it; he did not mean to promote terrorism. We saw that he was awarded the 'Tokoh Maal Hijrah' (in 2013) because of his contributions.

"It's only that he was seen as questioning other religions. Even though he is a medical doctor, his interest is to do dakwah, the preaching of Islam ... We believe he is a very wise man," he told a press conference after attending the 2016 National Level Key Target Area Seminar here today.

Earlier, Ahmad Zahid announced the allocation of RM400,000 to renovate and upgrade the Gurdwara Sahib Sentul.

He said the refurbishment of the gurdwara will be fully funded by the government and advised the Sentul gurdwara to channel the donations they get from the Sikh community to other gurdwaras that are in need.

"Therefore any donations this gurdwara gets, it should be channelled to help other gurdwaras in the country," he said when addressing the more-than-a-thousand-strong crowd at the Sentula gurdwara during the Vaisakhi celebrations.

Ahmad Zahid said although the Sikh community in Malaysia is a religious minority, the mutual respect among religious factions in Malaysia is what makes the nation unique.

Meanwhile, the Gurdwara Sahib in Petaling Jaya saw a crowd of about 5,000 to 7,000 devotees.

Vaisakhi marks the formation of the Khalsa in 1699 which formed the core of Sikhism and elevated it to newer heights.

http://www.thesundaily.my/news/1762212

DPM confirms Zakir's PR status

Malaysia to assist India in Dr Zakir Naik probe (Updated)

Filepix of preacher Dr Zakir Naik. — Bernama

Nonetheless, Ahmad Zaid who is also the Home Minister said Malaysia will assist India to investigate the Islamic Research Foundation president if that country made a request for legal assistance.

"I would like to confirm that he (Zakir) holds a permanent residence status but he is not a Malaysian citizen.

"He has been awarded with the permanent status about five years ago, even before i was appointed as Home Minister.

"If there is a request(from India) for our assistance, we are going to give full cooperation to India," Ahmad Zahid said after he officiated at the Human Ecology International Conference 2017 at Dorsett hotel here today.

Zahid was appointed home minister after Barisan Nasional won the 13th general election in May 2013.

He took over from Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, who is now the Defence Minister and a special functions minister.

On Sunday, Dr Zakir told the Indian government to look for him in Malaysia amid its plans to seek Interpol assistance in a terrorism investigation against him.

Dr Zakir accused the Indian authorities of practising double standards, and he is not willing to present himself before India's National Investigation Agency (NIA), claiming that instances of abuse are rife among Muslim activists.

He then urged NIA to investigate him at a neutral ground.

Earlier, The Times of India reported that the NIA had decided to seek Interpol in issuing a Red Corner Notice, aiming at curbing Zakir's movements.

A Red Notice is an international arrest warrant issued by Interpol. It was issued on behalf of the Indian government after Dr Zakir defied repeated summonses by it.

Earlier in his speech, Ahmad Zahid said future leaders must think unconventionally to transform the economic foundation, and place Malaysia in an advantageous position without succumbing to the
business powerhouses and greedy businessmen.

He said there is a rise of corporations that ignore national boundaries and demand a "level playing field" without respecting policies that protect a nation's interest.

"Economic warfare has given rise to unethical practices that deviate from Adam Smith's moral principles of economies that equal distribution of wealth is the basis of the social framework.

"Currency warfare and market monopolies are shrinking the money markets of most nations," Ahmad Zahid said.

http://www.thesundaily.my/news/2017/04/18/malaysia-assist-india-dr-zakir-naik-probe-updated

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Malaysia to assist India in Dr Zakir Naik probe (Updated)