Radical Islamic preacher Zakir Naik to tour Pakistani cities, at invite from Pakistan govt
Radical Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, currently a declared fugitive in India, is set to begin a tour of Pakistan in October at the invitation of the Pakistani government. Along with Sheikh Faruk Naik, he will visit major cities including Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad to address the public.
Naik faces multiple charges in India, including money laundering and terrorism, as well as inciting religious tensions through his speeches under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). He announced on X that he will speak in Karachi on October 5 and 6, followed by Lahore on October 12 and 13, and concluding in Islamabad on October 19 and 20. After fleeing India in 2016, Naik reportedly settled in Malaysia, where he obtained permanent residency but was banned from public speaking in 2019. His organization, the Islamic Research Foundation, was declared unlawful by the Indian government in 2022.
Naik's Peace TV Network has faced bans in several countries, including Bangladesh, Canada, Sri Lanka, and the UK. The channel was specifically blocked in Bangladesh following the 2016 Holy Artisan Bakery attack, leading to investigations and subsequent suspensions in both Dhaka and New Delhi.
Dr. Naik confirmed his upcoming tour through a post on his official Facebook page on September 20, announcing that his son, Dr. Fariq Naik, will also join him in delivering lectures. The Karachi event is scheduled to take place at Bagh-e-Quaid, near the mausoleum of Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Dr. Naik’s lecture on October 5 will focus on "the purpose of our life," while Dr. Fariq Naik will discuss "Is it necessary to understand the Quran while reading?" the following day.
The announcement of Dr. Naik's visit has generated excitement among his followers in Pakistan, many of whom took to social media to express their enthusiasm. In a recent interview, Dr. Naik explained his decision to move to Malaysia rather than Pakistan, despite having many supporters in the latter. He acknowledged that traveling to Pakistan would have been easier, given his prior visits and established support there.