Who Is Zakir Naik
Zakir Naik
Zakir Naik (born 18 October 1965 in Mumbai, India) is an Indian Islamic preacher and "televangelist",[2][3] who has been called an "authority on comparative religion",[4] "perhaps the most influential Salafi ideologue in India",[5] and "the worlds leading Salafi evangelist".[6] He is the founder and president of the Islamic Research Foundation (IRF),[7][8] and founder of the "comparative religion" Peace TV channel, through which he reaches a reported 100 million viewers.[6][9] Unlike many Islamic preachers, his lectures are colloquial,[10] given in English not Urdu or Arabic,[6] and he wears a suit and tie rather than traditional garb.[10]
Before becoming a public speaker, he trained as a medical doctor.[3] He has published booklet versions of lectures on Islam and comparative religion. Although he has publicly disclaimed sectarianism in Islam,[11] he is regarded by some as an exponent of the Salafi ideology,[12][13] and some as radical Islamic televangelist propagating
Biography
Zakir Naik was born in [Mumbai], Maharastra, India. Later he enrolled at Kishinchand Chellaram College, before studying medicine at Topiwala National Medical College and Nair Hospital and later the University of Mumbai, where he obtained a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBBS).[7][non-primary source needed] His wife, Farhat Naik, works for the womens section of the IRF.[19]
In 1991 he started working in the field of Dawah, and founded the Islamic Research Foundation.[20] Naik says he was inspired by Ahmed Deedat, an Islamic preacher, having met him in 1987.[21] (Naik is sometimes referred to as "Deedat plus", a label given to him by Deedat himself.)[21][22]
Naik is the founder of the Islamic International School in Mumbai.[23] and United Islamic Aid, which provides scholarship to poor and destitute Muslim youth.[24]
The Islamic Research Foundation website describes Naik as "the ideologue and driving force behind Peace TV Network".[25]
Naik was a board member of the London based, Islamic Education and Research Academy.
Lectures and debates
Naik has held many debates and lectures around the world. Anthropologist Thomas Blom Hansen has written that Naiks style of memorising the Quran and Hadith literature in various languages, and his related missionary activity, has made him extremely popular in Muslim circles.[26] Many of his debates are recorded and widely distributed in video and DVD media and online. His talks are usually recorded in English and broadcast on weekends on several cable networks in Mumbais Muslim neighbourhoods, and on the Peace TV channel, which he co-produces.[27][28] Topics he speaks on include: "Islam and Modern Science", "Islam and Christianity", and "Islam and secularism". Peace TV channel has been banned in India since 2012.[29][30]
One of Naiks most-cited debates was with William Campbell in Chicago in April 2000, on the topic of "The Quran and the Bible: In the Light of Science".[31] On 21 January 2006 Naik held an inter-religious dialogue with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in Bangalore about the concept of God in Islam and Hinduism.[32] In February 2011 Naik addressed the Oxford Union via video link from India.[33] Every year since November 2007 Naik has led a 10-day Peace Conference at Somaiya Ground, Sion, Mumbai. Lectures on Islam have been presented by Naik and twenty other Islamic speakers.[34]
Naik argues that scientific theories were prophesised by the Quran. For example, he says certain verses of the Quran accurately describe embryological development.[35]
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Recognition
Islamic Personality of the Year Award 2013 from The Dubai International Holy Quran Award.[36][37] The award was presented by Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance and Industry of the United Arab Emirates.[38]
On 5 November 2013, the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia conferred a Maal Hijrah Distinguished Personality award to Naik.[39] In a ceremony at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre, the award was presented by Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Malaysias head of state.
On 2 February 2015, he was awarded the King Faisal International Prize for Services to Islam.[40]
He is listed in the book The 500 Most Influential Muslims under honourable mention, in the 2009,[41] 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013/2014 editions.[42][43]
Views
Naik says that his goal is to "concentrate on the educated Muslim youth who have become apologetic about their own religion and have started to feel the religion is outdated".[26] He considers it a duty of every Muslim to remove perceived misconceptions about Islam and to counter what he views as the Western medias anti-Islamic bias in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 attacks in the United States.[44] Naik has said that "despite the strident anti-Islam campaign, 34,000 Americans have embraced Islam from September 2001 to July 2002". According to Naik, Islam is a religion of reason and logic, and that the Quran contains 1000 verses relating to science, which he says explains the number of Western converts.[45] Some of his articles are published in magazines such as Islamic Voice.[46]
Biological evolution
Naik has said that the theory of evolution is "only a hypothesis, and an unproven conjecture at best".[47] According to Naik, most scientists "support the theory, because it went against the Bible – not because it was true."[48]
Apostasy
Naik has said that Muslims who convert from Islam should not necessarily receive death sentences, but that under Islamic rule those who leave Islam and then "propagate the non-Islamic faith and speak against Islam" should be put to death.[49][50] Another source states that according to Naik, "there is no death penalty for apostates in Islam, until, the apostate starts to preach his new religion: then he can be put to death."[6]
Propagation of other faiths in Islamic states
While he appreciates that people of other religions allow Muslims to freely propagate Islam in their country, Naik preaches that the dissemination of other religions within an Islamic state must be forbidden because (he believes) other faiths are incorrect, so their propagation is as wrong as it would be for an arithmetic teacher to teach that 2+2=3 or 5 instead of 2+2=4. Likewise, Naik argues, "regarding building of churches or temples, how can we allow this when their religion is wrong and when their worshipping is wrong?"[51]
Terrorism
Naiks views and statements on terrorism have at times been criticised in the media. Speaking of Osama bin Laden, Naik stated in a YouTube video that he would not criticise bin Laden because he had not met him and did not know him personally. He added that, "If bin Laden is fighting enemies of Islam, I am for him," and that "if he is terrorizing America – the terrorist, biggest terrorist – I am with him. Every Muslim should be a terrorist. The thing is that if he is terrorizing the terrorist, he is following Islam. Whether he is or not, I dont know, but you as Muslims know that, without checking up, laying allegations is also wrong."[52] When Time hinted that this remark could have inspired Najibullah Zazis terrorist activities, Naik insisted: "I have always condemned terrorism, because according to the glorious Koran, if you kill one innocent person, then you have killed the whole of humanity".[52]
In 2010, Naik said that he had been quoted out of context regarding the remarks on terrorism. "As far as terrorist is concerned", he said, "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. Im 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."[53]
In a lecture delivered on 31 July 2008 on Peace TV, Naik commented on the attacks of 11 September: "it is a blatant, open secret that this attack on the Twin Towers was done by George Bush himself".[54]
He has also attracted much publicity for declaring that "even a fool will know" that the 9/11 attacks were "an inside job" orchestrated by US President George W. Bush.[9][55][6][56][57][58] Naik has won several awards for his preaching, including the 2015 King Faisal International Prize for Services to Islam,[59] but his expressed opinions on 9/11 have been denounced by the United States[60] and he has been denied entry into the United Kingdom and Canada for speaking engagements.[61][62]
Views on female slaves
Naik has expressed a view that Muslims can have sex with female slaves,[63][64][65] which he says is halal in Islam.[66]
Other countries
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Visit to Australia and Wales
In 2004 Naik, at the invitation of the Islamic Information and Services Network of Australasia, made an appearance at Melbourne University, where he argued that only Islam gave women true equality.[67] He said the more "revealing Western dress" makes women more susceptible to rape.[68] Sushi Das of The Age commented that "Naik extolled the moral and spiritual superiority of Islam and lampooned other faiths and the West in general", further criticising that Naiks words "fostered a spirit of separateness and reinforced prejudice".[69]
In August 2006 Naiks visit and conference in Cardiff caused controversy when Welsh MP David Davies called for his appearance to be cancelled. He said Naik was a "hate-monger", and that his views did not deserve a public platform; Muslims from Cardiff, however, defended Naiks right to speak in the city. Saleem Kidwai, Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Wales, disagreed with Davies, stating that "people who know about him [Naik] know that he is one of the most uncontroversial persons you could find. He talks about the similarities between religions, and how should we work on the common ground between them", whilst also inviting Davies to discuss further with Naik personally in the conference. The conference went ahead, after the Cardiff council stated it was satisfied that he would not be preaching extremist views.[70]
2010 exclusion from the UK and Canada
Naik was denied entry into the United Kingdom and Canada in June 2010.[61][62] He was banned from entering the UK by Home Secretary Theresa May after arranging to give talks in London and Sheffield.[71] May said of the exclusion order, "Numerous comments made by Dr Naik are evidence to me of his unacceptable behaviour".[61] Naik argued that the Home Secretary was making a political decision and not a legal one, and his lawyer said the decision was "barbaric and inhuman". He also claimed that his comments were taken out of context.[72] Film producer Mahesh Bhatt supported Naik, saying the ban constituted an attack on freedom of speech.[73] It was reported that Naik would attempt to challenge the ruling in the High Court.[74] His application for judicial review was dismissed on 5 November 2010.[20] Naik was forbidden from entering Canada after Tarek Fatah, founder of the Muslim Canadian Congress, warned MPs of Naiks views.[62]
Visit to Malaysia in 2012
Naik delivered four lectures in Malaysia during 2012. The lectures took place in Johor Baru, Universiti Teknologi MARA in Shah Alam,[75] Kuantan and Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur.The former Prime Minister of Malaysia, Mahathir Mohamad, prominent figures and several thousand people attended the lectures at different places despite protest by the members of HINDRAF.[76] The organizers of Naiks speeches said their purpose was to promote harmony among people of various religions.[77]
Reception, awards, titles and honors
Naik was ranked 89 on The Indian Expresss list of the "100 Most Powerful Indians in 2010".[78] He was ranked 82 in the 2009 edition.[79] According to Praveen Swami, Naik is "perhaps the most influential Salafi ideologue in India".[80] Sanjiv Buttoo says he is acknowledged as an authority on Islam, but is known for making negative remarks about other religions.[61] Sadanand Dhume writes that Naik has a "carefully crafted image of moderation", because of his gentle demeanour, his wearing of a suit and tie, and his quoting of scriptures of other religions.[81] He is also listed in the book The 500 Most Influential Muslims under honourable mention, in the 2009,[41] 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013/2014 [42] editions.[43] In July 2013, Naik was named as the Islamic Personality of the Year, announced by the 17th Dubai International Holy Quran Award (DIHQA).[82][83]
Year of award or honour Name of award or honour Awarding organisation or government
2013 Islamic Personality of 2013[84] Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for World Peace
2013 Distinguished International Personality Award[85] Agong, Tuanku Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah, Head of state of Malaysia
2013 Sharjah Award for Voluntary Work Sultan bin Mohamed Al-Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah
2014 Insignia of the Commander of the National Order of the Republic of The Gambia[8] President of The Gambia Yahya Jammeh
2014 Honorary Doctorate (Doctor of Humane Letters)[8] University of The Gambia
2015 King Faisal international Prize[86] Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
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Criticism
In The Wall Street Journal, Sadanand Dhume criticised Naik for recommending the death penalty for homosexuals and for apostasy from the faith.[87] He also criticised him for calling for India to be ruled by Shariah law. He added that, according to Naik, Jews "control America" and are the "strongest in enmity to Muslims." He maintained that Naik supports a ban on the construction of non-Muslim places of worship in Muslim lands as well as the Talibans bombing of the Bamiyan Buddhas. Dhume argues that people reportedly drawn to Naiks message include Najibullah Zazi, the Afghan-American arrested for planning suicide attacks on the New York subway; Rahil Sheikh, accused of involvement in a series of train bombings in Bombay in 2006; and Kafeel Ahmed, the Bangalore man fatally injured in a failed suicide attack on Glasgow airport in 2007. He concluded that unless Indians find the ability to criticise such a radical Islamic preacher as robustly as they would a Hindu equivalent, the idea of Indian secularism would remain deeply flawed.[87]
The Times of India published a profile of Naik entitled "The controversial preacher" after he was banned from the United Kingdom. According to The Times, "the fact is that barring the band of Muslims whose bruised egos Naik suitably massages through his Islam supremacist talks, most rational Muslims and non-Muslims find his brand of Islam a travesty of the faith". The Times also claimed that "the Wahabi-Salafist brand of Islam, bankrolled by petro-rich Saudi Arabia and propagated by preachers like Naik, does not appreciate the idea of pluralism." The article quotes Muslim scholar Wahiduddin Khan: "Dawah, which Naik also claims to be engaged in, is to make people aware of the creation plan of God, not to peddle some provocative, dubious ideas as Naik does." He adds: "The wave of Islamophobia in the aftermath of 9/11 and the occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan have only added to the Muslims sense of injury. In such a situation, when a debater like Zakir Naik, in eloquent English, takes on preachers of other faiths and defeats them during debates, the Muslims chests puff with pride. A community nursing a huge sense of betrayal and injustice naturally lionises anyone who gives it a sense of pride. Never mind if its false pride."[88]
Indian journalist Khushwant Singh says he "disagree[s] with almost everything [Naik] has to say about misconceptions about Islam". Singh argues that Naiks pronouncements are "juvenile", and said "they seldom rise above the level of undergraduate college debates, where contestants vie with each other to score brownie points."[89] Singh also says Naiks audiences "listen to him with rapt attention and often explode in enthusiastic applause when he rubbishes other religious texts".[90]
Torkel Brekke, a professor of religious history in Norway, calls Naik a "very controversial figure" because of his rhetorical attack on other religions and other varieties of Islam. He writes that Naik is "strongly disliked" by many members of the Indian ulema for ignoring their authority and stating that anybody can interpret the Quran.[91] Conservative Deobandi mullahs have accused Naik of "destroying Islam" by driving Muslims away from the correct religious authorities.[92]
Khaled Ahmed criticised Naik for "indirectly support[ing]" Al-Qaeda by referring to Osama bin Laden as a "soldier of Islam".[93] In 2008 an Islamic scholar in Lucknow, shahar qazi Mufti Abul Irfan Mian Firangi Mahali, issued a fatwa against Naik, saying that he supported Osama bin Laden, and that his teachings were un-Islamic. Naik claims his speeches were being taken out of context.[94]
Praveen Swami considers Naik to be a part of the ideological infrastructure created to feed "Tempered Jihad", which he defines as Jihad calibrated to advance Islamist political objectives.[80] Swami argued that some of Naik’s teachings are similar to those of organizations advocating violence, although Naik himself emphatically rejects terrorism.[95] According to Swami, Naiks IRF has proved to be a "magnet" for figures linked to the Lashkar-e-Taiba, while his message has mesmerised violent Islamists, and his works "help make sense of the motivations of Indian recruits to the jihad".[80]
Indian Journalist Shoaib Daniyal disagrees with Naiks belief that "Americans swap wives at will because they eat pigs which also swap their wives" He also points out that Naiks statement that Islam allows a man to marry multiple women because "in the USA, there are more women than men", disagrees with US demographic statistics.[6]
According to the New York Times quoting an anonymous Indian journalist, the Mumbai police have barred him from holding conferences in recent years "because he stirs controversy", and Indian satellite providers have refused to broadcast his television channel, Peace TV.[10]
Source: Wikipedia
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