Islamic televangelist Dr Zakir Naik, who was banned from entering the United Kingdom (UK), said he would approach the British high court against the ban. “It is a political decision and not a legal one,” said Naik at a press conference on Tuesday, adding that he plans to approach Union external affairs minister SM Krishna to get the ban revoked.
Naik was denied entry in UK for his controversial statements on terrorism, which home secretary Theresa May found “not conducive for public good”.
Explaining his stand on the controversial statements, Naik, who runs the Islamic Research Foundation and Peace TV, said the quotes had been distorted, or used out of context. He added that the infamous Osama Bin Laden quote, which promotes the world’s most wanted terrorist, was delivered in 1996 and not 2006 as claimed, and even then he was being neutral and not siding with Laden.
The 43-year-old preacher claimed he was quoted out of context for his “every Muslim should be a terrorist” remark. Naik produced the video of this statement, to prove he was misquoted. The video showed him saying, “As far as terrorist is concerned, I tell the Muslims that every Muslim should be a terrorist... What is the meaning of the word terrorist?
Terrorist by definition means a person who terrorises. So in this context every Muslim should be a terrorist to each and every anti-social element. I’m aware that terrorist is more commonly used for a person who terrorises innocent human beings. So in this context no Muslim should ever terrorise a single innocent human being.”
Director Mahesh Bhatt, who was present at the conference, said, “These are dangerous times. People are most entertained and least informed. I salute his (Naik’s) audacity in challenging their (the British government’s) ignorance.”
Also, a rally was organised ata Azad Maidan by Muslim organisations is the city to support Naik. Tanveer Sheikh, member of the human welfare committee, said, “In spite of planning everything at the last minute and the taxi and auto strike in the city, some thousand people have turned up. We shall submit a memorandum to state home minister RR Patil and the British High Commissioner after the protest.”
Meanwhile, Naik, who was to headline next month’s Journey of Faith Conference in Toronto will not be allowed into Canada, sources familiar with the situation have told the National Post. Tarek Fatah, founder of the Muslim Canadian Congress, said he and the congress have been informed that Naik will be “stopped at the airport.”
