Controversial preacher Dr Zakir Naik has clarified that he
only urged Muslims to “terrorise” evil doers and insisted he never supported
terrorists, India Today reported.
In a telephone interview with India Today Television, Zakir
also alleged that the clips in which he spoke of former Al Qaeda chief, Osama
bin Laden had been doctored.
Zakir – who has come under the spotlight after it was
revealed that two of the gunmen who attacked a cafe in Dhaka which left 20 dead
were inspired by the preacher – also claimed that the Bangladesh government had
no problem with him.
The Mumbai-based preacher, according to the report, also
claimed there were some quarters trying to spread hate in his name.
Zakir, India Today also noted, “has distanced himself from
the controversial statement that “all Muslim should be terrorists.”
However, in a recording of the interview uploaded by the
Indian broadcaster on its Facebook page yesterday, Zakir admitted that the clip
which featured him saying that every Muslim should be a terrorist was not
doctored.
Following the deadly attack last Friday, both India and
Bangladesh have now launched investigations into the controversial preacher.
Muslim clerics from the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh meanwhile, want the
popular preacher arrested, with a blanket ban on his TV network Peace TV.
Back in Malaysia, opinion is divided over the Salafist
preacher, who created quite a stir when he was invited to give a series of
lectures earlier this year in the country.
Malay right wing NGO, Perkasa called upon Muslims to defend
Zakir, while Multiracial Reverted Muslims, a Muslim NGO, said those linking the
preacher to the attacks were envious of his popularity.
The Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism,
Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) has urged Putrajaya to
rescind the Maal Hijrah award given to Zakir and ban him from speaking in
Malaysia.
Hindraf Makkal Sakthi meanwhile wants the government to bar
the errant preacher from entering the country and outlaw his teachings.
Source –FMT-
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