While Maharastra might indict Islamic tele-evangelist Naik for unlawful activities, the case is stirring up a lot of interest in Muslim and non-Muslim circles all over the country. Several liberal Muslims have been quite uncomfortable with the tone and nature of Naik’s television broadcasts, which they say lean towards the fundamentalist, Wahabi brand of Islam, being funded by Saudi Arabia. Wahabism openly attacks such liberal Islamic Spiritual movements such as Sufism, a tolerant and encompassing form of Islam that was born in South Asia.
A Police report indicting Islamic preacher Zakir Naik for alleged provocative speeches and involvement in unlawful activities has been forwarded to the Centre, a top Maharashtra government official said on Wednesday.
The report was submitted to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also holds the Home portfolio, early this month. The Chief Minister said the police found Naik to be allegedly involved in unlawful activities and delivering provocative speeches.
“The report submitted to the state government by Mumbai Police was in Marathi.
We have translated the 71-page report into English and forwarded it to the Union Home Ministry two days ago,” Additional Chief Secretary (Home) K P Bakshi told reporters here.
The report was also sent to the state Law and Judiciary Department who will advise on initiating action against the 50-year-old televangelist.
The police were asked to probe Naik’s past speeches available online to see if any of them could have motivated youth to join terrorist outfits, a move which came in backdrop of reports that his preaching inspired some of the gunmen who attacked a Dhaka cafe on July 1, killing 22 people.
The city police and other agencies are investigating the Bombay-based Islamic Research Foundation (IRF), founded by Naik, and scrutinising its funds from various parts of the world.
Naik had spoke to media via Skype from Saudi Arabia denying that his sermons had inspired terror activities. Stating that he was a “messenger of peace”, the physician-turned-preacher had accused the media of running a trial against him by highlighting “unverified” reports and “doctored” clippings.
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You are right. As a guy who happened to be born into a ‘ progressive Muslim’ family, I am only grateful that my folks have a liberal worldview. I am born into a certain culture that is identified as Muslim. it does not follow that i endorse anything that people with 11th century mindset preach on some god-forsaken channel on TV.