Qatar: Zakir Naik presence in FIFA world cup turns controversial

Zakir Abdul Karim Naik well known as Zakir Naik was born on 18 October 1965 in Bombay. He is an Indian Islamic television preacher who focuses on comparative religion

By
Sugandhitha G
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Qatar created a storm by inviting Zakir Naik to speak during the FIFA World Cup, as if the current soccer tournament didn’t cause enough controversy. Qatar is currently in a global frenzy over the death of a migrant worker in preparation for the World Cup. Its treatment of the LGBT community, Its ban on alcohol during the Games & its very strict code of conduct for fans in Qatar to enjoy the games. Let us see the most controversial and trending person today.

Who is Zakir Naik?

Zakir Abdul Karim Naik well known as Zakir Naik was born on 18 October 1965 in Bombay. He is an Indian Islamic television preacher who focuses on comparative religion. He is the head of  Islamic Research Foundation, and founder of peace TV, United Islamic Aid, Al Hidaayah.

Career:

He studied medicine and obtained a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBBS). In 1991 he started working in the Dawah area, established an Islamic International School in Mumbai.

Invitations to Lecture and debate:

He is invited to many countries like Gambia, Malaysia and universities like University of Melbourne to give Lectures and debates about Islam religion.

His views:

Naik said that Islam is the “best” religion because “The Quran says it. No other religious text or scripture claims this fact.” Naik said that Islam is the “supreme” religion because the Quran says so. He claimed, Western powers and media play a double-standard strategy, who describe Muslims as extremists and fundamentalists to defame Islam.

Awards, titles, and honors:

Dubai International Holy Quran Award – Islamic Personality of the Year, Service to Islam – King Faisal Prize and many more.

Zakir Naik controversy

Naik is now a fugitive wanted by Indian authorities on charges of terrorist financing, hate speech, inciting hatred within the community & money laundering.
Following investigations by Ofcom in 2019, the broadcasting authority moved to suspend Peace TV’s license to broadcast in the UK. In addition, Ofcom fined the former license holders of Peace TV Urdu £200,000 & Peace TV £100,000 for breaking broadcasting rules.
In April 2020, the Charity Commission for England & Wales opened a statutory enquiry into the registered charity Islamic Research Foundation, which has funded Peace TV.

Due to insufficient evidence, the national bureau of investigation unsuccessfully attempted to issue a Notice of Red to him from Interpol for his arrest. Peace TV is banned in India, Bangladesh, Canada, Sri Lanka and the UK. The main reason behind his bans from different countries is that the terrorist who committed terror attack was  influenced by his speeches.

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