Published On : Fri, Jul 15th, 2016

Zakir Naik, ‘Messenger of peace’, says suicide bombing permitted as tactic of war

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Condemns terror attack in Nice…accuses Zee News reporter of not having tameez…

Dr Zakir Naik
Mumbai/Nagpur:
Pleading that he has never encouraged terrorism, controversial Islamic preacher Dr Zakir Naik on Friday, July 15, alleged that the Indian media was pillorying him just because a Bangladesh newspaper reported that one of the terrorists involved in the Dhaka cafe attack was inspired by his speeches.

‘I see that there is a media cry in India on me just because a report came in one of the Bangladesh newspapers The Daily Star that one of the terrorists who was involved in the attack was inspired by me, and the media trial started. On July 29, the newspaper corrected themselves that they never said that Dr Zakir inspired him and Dr Zakir did not inspire any terrorist to kill innocent people,’ Naik told a press conference in Mumbai via Skype from Medina.

‘Media for ulterior motives changed the meaning of my statements,’ he said.

Dr Naik said he condemned all terror attacks in the world and that he would speak for hours if needed.

‘Suicide bombings where innocents are killed is haraam. But as a tactic of war, it is permitted say many scholars,’ said Dr Naik, who began his press conference by condemning the terror attack in Nice.

‘Verse 32 in Chapter 5 of the Quran says killing innocents is a crime. No scripture other than the Quran says one innocent killed is killing of humanity,’ the televangelist said.

‘Knowingly I have never met any terrorist, but if some people stand next to me to take photographs, I smile. I don’t know who they are. I am a messenger of peace. I do not criticise any sect of Islam, I may disagree on interpretations,’ he said.

There was utter chaos at the press conference after Dr Naik accused a Zee News reporter of not having tameez (courtesy) after he posed a question to the controversial Islamic preacher.

Dr Naik said he had replies to all allegations aired on news television channels, adding they are available on pen drives for reporters.

‘I challenge you to show me any unedited answer of mine where I have not condemned suicide bombing of the kind that is happening. Why are you relying on a doctored clip or an answer which is out of context? I challenge you to show my any unedited clip,’ Dr Naik said.

No government authority had approached him with any questions, he said, adding that he has no problem with the government or police so far.

‘I will cooperate 100 percent with any government authority, which wants to speak with me,’ he said.

Peace TV, his television channel, had applied for downlinking permission in 2008, he said, which was denied by the information and broadcasting ministry.

‘The only reason I can think of why the I&B ministry had not given permission to Peace TV for downlinking in India is because it is a Muslim channel.’