Will Zakir Naik, the Islamic preacher that the Indian agencies blame for money laundering and delivering hate speeches and inciting radicalism and terrorism, be extradited to India?
The Indian government says has now sent a formal request to Malaysia to extradite Islamic preacher Zakir Naik. News agency ANI quoted sources as saying that New Delhi is working on the issue of Zakir Naik with the new Malaysian government.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has been tracking the case of Zakir Naik, who had escaped India before the agency took over the probe against him. Ever since leaving India, Naik has been living in Malaysia.
Govt has sent formal request to Malaysia for extradition of Zakir Naik, govt is pursuing it: Sources. (File pic) pic.twitter.com/QdodjgRKFW
— ANI (@ANI) May 14, 2020
The Indian government, through the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), had banned Zakir Naik and his organisation — the Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) — in November 2016, following which all IRF operations were halted and its staff relieved of their duties.
Since the 2016 ban, India has accused Naik of terrorism and money-laundering. The Islamic preacher denies both charges and says the accusations were politically motivated.
Zakir Naik Troubles In Malaysia
Earlier, as EurAsian Times reported, former Malaysian PM Dr Mahathir Mohamad had reportedly stated that Zakir Naik’s PR status can be reversed if the Government authorities provide enough evidence to prove that his actions can disturb social harmony in Malaysia
This comment came after Malaysian authorities launched an inquiry, Zakir Naik, over his provocative remarks which offended the Hindus and Chinese residing in the Muslim-majority nation.
Zakir Naik had reportedly asked the Malaysian Chinese to “go back” first as they were the “old guests” of the country during a religious talk titled “Executive Talk Bersam Dr Zakir Naik” in Kota Baru, Kelantan, in response to calls for his own deportation.
His speech at the same venue was also denounced after he compared the Hindus in Malaysia to the Muslims in India, saying that the Hindus here enjoyed more than 100% rights in Malaysia.
