M Rashid Tabassum
India has banned Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) which is run by International Islamic Preacher and renowned scholar Doctor Zakir Naik. The NGO has been banned for five years under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) filed an FIR against Doctor Zakir Naik under section 10, 13, 18 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and section 153A of Indian Penal Code. NIA conducted raids at 10 offices of IRF in Maharashtra. Zakir Naik’s lawyer Mobin Solkar will challenge the move to ban in court. Doctor Zakir denied all the allegations of Indian agency that he inspired the act of killing innocent people. He also criticizes the acts of Daesh and termed ISIS as ‘anti-Islamic state of Iraq and Syria’. Religious Leaders and lawyers of Pakistan have also criticized Indian Ban on IRF. Zakir Naik was born on 18 October 1965. He is famous as a dynamic international speaker on Islam and Comparative Religion. He uses Quran, authentic Hadith and other religious books to explain Islamic beliefs and clears misunderstanding about Islam. As well as, he describes reasons, logics and scientific facts. He is famous for quick-wittedness and convincing answers to critical and challenging questions of audiences. He has delivered over 2000 lectures and public talks in different countries like USA, Canada, UK, Italy, France, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Egypt, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Botswana, Nigeria, Ghana, The Gambia, Morocco, Algeria, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Thailand, Hong Kong, China, Guyana (South America), Trinidad, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Maldives and others. In March 2012, over one Million people have attended his public talk in Kishanganj (Bihar, India). This is one of the largest gatherings in any religious debate. Hundreds of thousands of people has chosen Islam as true religion watching his debate. More than hundred of his talks, dialogues, debates and symposia are available on DVDs and different web sites like youtube, facebook and dailymotion. He has written many books on Islam and comparative religion. His debates and talks have also been published in different languages. Moreover, World famous scholar in comparative religion, Shaikh Ahmed Deedat, called Doctor Naik “Deedat Plus”. He said to Naik: “Son what you have done in 4 years had taken me 40 years to accomplish, Alhamdulillah.”Writing more, he has received many awards. King of Saudi Arabia Shah Salman bin Abdul Aziz gave him ‘King Faisal International Prize’ for ‘Service to Islam’ on 1st March 2015 in Riyadh. In Muslim world this award is equal to Nobel Prize. As well as, he received Dubai International Holy Qur’an Award’s ‘Islamic Personality of 2013’ Award from Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President & Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai. He was presented the highest award of Malaysia the ‘Tokoh Ma’al Hijrah Distinguished International Personality Award for the Year 2013’ on 5th November 2013 by Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah, king of Malaysia.
He also received ‘Sharjah Award for Voluntary Work’ for the year 2013 on 16th January 2014. In October 2014, he was presented ‘The Insignia of the Commander of the National Order of the Republic of The Gambia’ the Highest National Award in The Gambia. He also received an Honorary Doctorate – ‘Doctor of Humane Letters’ (Honoris Causa), by the Vice Chancellor of the University of The Gambia.
Raising more, he is the founder of Peace TV which is spreading preach of Islam beyond sectarianism. Peace TV has started its broadcasting in 2006. Now its viewers have been crossed the limit of 100 Million. 25% viewership of Peace TV is non-Muslim. TV has also been started in different languages like Urdu, Bengali and Chinese.
As well as, Indian Express had published 100 most powerful Indians. In 2009, Naik was ranked 82 and in 2010, he was ranked 89. In “Top 10 spiritual Gurus of India”, He was ranked no 3 in 2009 and top of the list in 2010.
Concluding more, Doctor Zakir Naik is the voice of Islam. India is afraid from spreading Islam. Mostly, non-Muslim specially educated persons impress his talks and debates and they accept Islam. India has tried to stop preaching of Islam, banning IRF. Islam is a burning light which cannot be quenched.