Muslims groups have sought registration of a criminal case against “terror sympathiser” and owner of controversial Peace TV channel Zakir Naik, who was invited by the India Islamic Cultural Centre (IICC) here last week to give a talk on Holy Quran and Science, ahead of US President Barack Obama’s official visit in the National Capital.
Demanding Naik’s arrest under the stringent Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, the Muslim groups have also questioned the role of IICC functionaries in inviting a “fanatic” character.
Over 250 Muslim scholars and intellectuals had protested at IICC on Saturday last shouting slogans like “Zakir Naik, enemy of the country, go back.”
The protesters were angry on why the IICC, which was built with a vision to promote a dialogue and educate people about the true teachings of Islam and Muslim culture, has invited someone like Naik who is notorious for his divisive views.
“The IICC office bearers need to explain why they have invited Naik who has even expressed his support for known terrorists like Osama Bin laden. He has also been against any kind of concessions to minority religious groups in Islamic countries,” Anjum Zaidi, one of the organisers of the protest, said.
“The Government of India did not give land for the IICC to give a platform to such hate mongers,” Zaidi said.
Moreover, Naik has openly spoken against the US. IICC inviting such a man just days before the American President Barack Obama comes in for the Republic Day celebrations sends out a wrong message about the Muslims of the country, he said.
Meanwhile, Zaidi also lodged a complaint at the Tughlaq Road Police Station demanding that “terror sympathizer” Naik be arrested under the terror law UAPA and his role be be properly investigated.
Functionaries and supporters of Ulama and Mashaikh Board, an organisation of Sufi Muslims, also gathered at the IICC to lodge a protest. “Naik is en enemy of Islam. He is an enemy of Prophet Mohammad and his teachings,” they said.
leading intellectual and politician Arif Mohammad Khan also wrote a scathing letter to IICC president Sirajuddin Qureshi asking why Naik was invited to IICC.