Zakir Naik, Islamic Preacher Wanted By Indian Counterterrorism Agency Travels To Nigeria

Zakir Naik, an Islamic preacher wanted by an Indian counterterrorism agency for...

Zakir Naik, an Islamic preacher wanted by an Indian counterterrorism agency for violence and money laundering, travels to Nigeria on Sultan's request

Mr. Naik, 57, rose to notoriety when a suspect in the 2016 attack in Dhaka, which claimed the horrifying lives of twenty-two people, said that the preacher's teachings had inspired him to kill people.

But there are concerns that his visit to Nigeria, which is rife with religious conflict and home to the primarily Muslim Boko Haram terrorist group, will fan the flames of unrest. His lectures are scheduled to take place over the course of four days in Sokoto, Abuja, and Ilorin.

With the description "Interaction with Muslim Immigration," the controversial Islamic preacher posted pictures of himself with Nigerian Immigration Service and Air Force officers late on Monday. Many Nigerians took offense at this, reminding him that Nigeria is not a Muslim country.

Apart from accusing Mr. Naik of inciting terrorism via his teachings, the Indian authorities also accused him of laundering $28 million to purchase lavish properties in Pune and Mumbai, India, and of utilizing his relatives as proxies to amass questionable wealth. He denied the charges.

The controversial preacher was prohibited from speaking at public events in Malaysia in 2019 due to his offensive remarks toward Malaysians of Indian and Northern heritage. This came about after the preacher fled his home nation of India.

Credit: People Gazette