They say one man’s hero is another man’s villain. And this adage turns out to be correct when it comes to the radical Islamic preacher Zakir Naik. He is wanted in India on suspicion of money laundering and promoting communal hatred. He has been welcomed with a red carpet by India’s neighbor and enemy, Pakistan.

On October 2, Naik, the doctor turned televangelist, also posted photos of him with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in which the prime minister praised Naik and said he had personally benefited from his lectures.

But what exactly is Naik doing in Pakistan? Why is he wanted in India? And will his visit to Pakistan escalate tensions between the two neighbors?

We have all the answers for you.

Who is Zakir Naik?

Zakir Naik, a 58-year-old doctor by profession, is an Indian Muslim televangelist and the founder and chairman of the Islamic Research Foundation and the Peace TV Network.

His foray into televangelism occurred after he attended a lecture by South African Islamic preacher Ahmed Deedat in the late 1980s. He spoke about this to the Times of India“After attending Deedat’s lecture, I realized that as a doctor I would not go too far. I aspired to be like him (Deedat).”

After this, Naik started transforming himself, with some of his family, friends and members noticing that he was fashioning himself as a clone of Deedat.

Since becoming a preacher – he is said to have given more than 1,500 public lectures since 1994 – Naik has often claimed that Islam is the one true religion and has even criticized other religions. He is also known for his support of Osama bin Laden, the founder of the terrorist group Al Qaeda. He was quoted as saying: “If Bin Laden is fighting the enemies of Islam, I am with him. When he terrorizes America, the biggest terrorist, I’m with him. Every Muslim should be a terrorist.” He later said he had been misquoted.

In addition to his views on Islam, he has also made headlines with his views on homosexuality and women’s rights. On the latter, he supports polygamy and even justifies domestic violence, saying that men have the right to beat their wives “gently”.

He was once even quoted as saying: ‘Girls should not be sent to schools where they lose their virginity by the time they pass out. Schools must be closed. They are not allowed to wear gold jewelry.”

What is Zakir Naik doing in Pakistan?

A current resident of Malaysia – he fled India in 2016 – he arrived in Pakistan at the invitation of the government and landed in Islamabad on Monday, September 30. This is his first visit to Pakistan since 1992. Accompanied by his son Fariq, who Since Zakir Naik is also an Islamic scholar, he is expected to be in the country until October 28. During this period he will deliver a number of speeches and meet the top brass of the Pakistani establishment.

Upon his arrival in Islamabad, the 58-year-old was welcomed on a red carpet by senior Pakistani officials, including the Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Religious and Interfaith Affairs and the Parliamentary Secretary for Religious Affairs. He also met with Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister.

In a post on Zakir Naik and Shaikh Fariq Naik’s Pakistan Tour 2024 Public Talks: Karachi – October 5 and 6 Lahore – October 12 and 13 Islamabad – October 19 and 20 Oct.”

On Tuesday (October 1), Zakir Naik also met Speaker of the National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and during the meeting he praised the love and hospitality he had received in the country.

The controversial preacher during his meeting urged Muslim countries to shun their differences and unite and also praised Pakistan’s role in promoting the true teachings of Islam and promoting unity among Muslims.

Naik also met with Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman at his home in Islamabad, where the two discussed spreading Islam’s true message of peace and love across the world .

He also visited an orphanage for girls; but this visit caused a controversy after Naik left the stage when the announcer invited the orphan girls on stage to be congratulated. Reports say the pastor took offense to the announcer calling them “daughters.”

“You cannot touch them or call them your daughters,” he said, adding that the girls were considered “non-mahrams”.

Dr. Zakir Naik recently made headlines after he left the stage at an event for orphans in Islamabad. He refused to award awards to young girls, citing the fact that they were ‘Na-Mahram’ (not related by blood or marriage), based on his interpretation of Islamic principles.… https://t.co/QfhNE4L1RZ pic.twitter.com/5TNwYlA3ts

— Ghulam Abbas Shah (@ghulamabbasshah) October 2, 2024

The next day, Wednesday, Naik also met Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The Pakistani Prime Minister praised Naik for projecting the real image of Islam across the world. “It is encouraging to see that a large majority of young people listened to his lectures,” the Prime Minister said, according to a report in The Dawn.

While government officials welcomed Naik, the same cannot be said for everyone. Social activist Pervez Hoodbhoy said DW“I am saddened but not shocked that Zakir Naik has been invited as a state guest.” He added: “The state is adding more fuel to the fire.”

Why is Zakir Naik wanted in India?

Zakir Naik’s visit to Pakistan is being closely watched by India, where he is wanted by both the Enforcement Directorate and the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

Naik’s Peace Channel, through which he spreads his agenda, has been banned in India due to alleged money laundering and hate speech. In addition, he is accused of acquiring $28 million in criminal assets to purchase real estate in India and finance events.

His Islamic Research Foundation has also been banned in India on charges that it encourages followers to promote enmity and hatred.

He has also been linked to terror-related activities. Two people from Kerala who joined Islamic State said they did so after meeting the preacher. However, he has said he had no role to play.

The suspected bombers who carried out an explosion at a cafe in Bangladesh’s Dhaka in July 2016, killing 29 people, said they were admirers of Naik. As the Islamic State took responsibility for the attack, one of the bombers told investigators he had watched Naik’s sermons on YouTube.

After his name came up in the blast, Naik fled the country and sought solace in Malaysia in 2016 and has not returned since.

The investigation into the 2020 Delhi riots also revealed that one of the suspects – Kahlid Saifi – met Naik abroad and sought his support for ‘spreading his agenda’. In 2022, IIT graduate Murtaza Ahmed Abbasi, who attacked two policemen with a sharp weapon outside Gorakhnath Temple in Uttar Pradesh, was an avid viewer of Naik’s videos.

Besides India, Naik has also been banned in the United Kingdom, Canada, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka for allegedly inciting hatred through his speeches.

A potential for rising tensions?

Pakistan’s choice to invite Zakir Naik could be a new sore point between India and Pakistan, according to some analysts. After all, he is a wanted man in India.

Amit Ranjan, a researcher at the Institute of South Asian Studies, National University of Singapore, said DW“Since Pakistan is already facing violence linked to social and political issues, giving space to Naik is nothing but adding to the existing tensions.”

Former Indian diplomat Kanwal Sibal also noted that Naik’s grand welcome is a lesson for those who advocate peaceful ties with Islamabad. “There is a lesson in this invitation to Zakir Naik for those who advocate a diplomatic opening towards Pakistan, be it in the areas of sports, trade etc… Not a discourse intended to defuse tensions with India. Shehbaz (Sharif) can get ‘shabash’ domestically, but it will not improve the condition of Pakistan,” he wrote on X.

With input from authorities