Dhaka terror attack of July 2016 was the inflection point in his life. Within hours, he fled India. One of the bombers told Bangladeshi investigators that he was influenced by his preaching through his YouTube channel.
Zakir Abdul Karim Naik has not returned to India. He is facing multiple charges in the country and features in the list of the most-wanted fugitives.
Currently, Zakir Naik is in Malaysia, where he has courted controversy in recent weeks and legal trouble in past few days. He has permanent residency of Malaysia, which gave him shelter after countries like Britain and Canada denied him visas.
Zakir Naik shot to fame during 1990s over his activities of dawah -- proselytising for Islam -- through his Mumbai-based Islamic Research Foundation (IRF). By early 2000s, his videos had become subject of debate as he attempted to establish superiority of Islam over other religions. His supporters called him an expert on comparative religion.
He launched Peace TV English, a Dubai-based channel for the propagation of Islam. Later he also launched Urdu and Bangla versions of Peace TV, which has been banned in many countries over allegations of hate campaign.
Zakir Naik, who has nearly 17.5 million followers on Facebook, is unwelcome in several countries for his views particularly after his declared support for Al Qaeda and Osama bin Laden.
"If bin Laden is fighting the enemies of Islam, I am for him. If he is terrorizing America, the biggest terrorist, I am with him. Every Muslim should be a terrorist," Zakir Naik was quoted in a section of media, which he said misquoted him.
He called for death penalty for homosexuality and conversion of a Muslim from Islam to any other religion. He said the men have "right" to beat their wives "gently". Zakir Naik defended Islamic State for keeping sex slaves. He also supported the Islamic State over the destruction of non-Muslim religious places.
"How can we allow this [churches or temples in an Islamic state] when their religion is wrong and when their worshipping is wrong," Zakir Naik was quoted as saying by the media.
His hardline interpretation of Islam earned him a distinct following but he attracted attention of security agencies as well. Before the Dhaka bomber spoke about having been inspired by Zakir Naik, two of many Kerala youths who joined the Islamic State said that they took the step after meeting the controversial preacher. Zakir Naik denied having any role in the incident.
Three months after the Dhaka terror attack and Zakir Naik's fleeing the country, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) lodged a case against him under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code. A man places a sign as others light candles during a vigil in Kolkata, India, to show solidarity with the victims of the attack at Holey Artisan restaurant after Islamist militants attacked the upscale cafe in Dhaka, Bangladesh. (Photo: Reuters file)
His Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) had already been declared an unlawful association by the central government.
Zakir Naik was accused of spreading hatred with his provocative speeches, funding terror activities and money laundering of several crores of rupees.
In July 2016 -- one year after he fled the country, India cancelled Zakir Naik's passport. By that time, Zakir Naik had claimed that he was a non-resident Indian (NRI). Some reports said that he had taken the citizenship of Saudi Arabia.
India has made requests to Malaysia for extradition of Zakir Naik but the country has refused to entertain the plea. Currently, India is negotiating with the Interpol to get a Red Corner Notice (RCN) issued against Zakir Naik.
Malaysia has refused to extradite Zakir Naik giving credence to his claim that the Indian agencies are pursuing him because of his religious belief and his criticism of the Narendra Modi government and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
After Dhaka terror attack, Zakir Naik's name cropped up in connection with April bombings in Sri Lanka. Zahran Hashim, the leader of National Thowheeth Jama'ath -- group that owned Easter bombings in Sri Lanka -- praised Zakir Naik asking Sri Lankan Muslims what they can do for him.
Following the terror attacks that killed around 260 people, Sri Lanka too banned the telecast of Peace TV of Zakir Naik.
In Malaysia, Zakir Naik was accused of inciting racial and religious hatred after he said Malaysian Hindus were more loyal to Narendra Modi than his Malaysian counterpart. His statement stirred a huge uproar in Malaysia with several parliamentarians demanded that he be expelled from the country.
Malaysian police questioned Zakir Naik for about 10 hours during which he said that his remarks were "misunderstood" by people. But political and public outcry continued against Zakir Naik. Malaysian government, on Tuesday, banned him from giving public speeches. Read | Islamic preacher Zakir Naik banned from giving public speeches in Malaysia Also read | Malaysian police grills Islamic preacher Zakir Naik for 10 hours over his remarks on Hindus Watch | Also Watch | ED is lying, I have paid taxes for my income: Zakir Naik --- ENDS ---
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