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Zakir Naik

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Zakir Naik
Born
Zakir Abdul Karim Naik

(1965-10-18) October 18, 1965 (age 59)
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
EducationKishinchand Chellaram College
Alma materUniversity of Mumbai
Occupation(s)President of Islamic Research Foundation, Islamic preacher, Medical doctor
Years active1991–present
Board member ofIslamic Research Foundation
SpouseFarhat Zakir Naik
WebsiteIRF.net
PeaceTV

Zakir Abdul Karim Naik (Urdu: ذاکر عبدالکریم نائیک; born 18 October 1965) is the founder and president of the Islamic Research Foundation (IRF),[1][2] which is a non-profit organization that owns Peace TV channel based in Mumbai, India. A prominent Muslim figure in the Muslim world, Naik is also a public speaker and a writer on the subject of Islam and other comparative religion.

Naik originally began his career as a medical doctor, having attained a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) from the University of Mumbai. After being inspired by Ahmed Deedat, Naik began part-time and later switching to a full-time career by giving Islamic speeches to the public.

Biography

Zakir Abdul Karim Naik was born on 18 October 1965 in Mumbai, India.[3] He attended St. Peter's High School (ICSE) in the city of Mumbai. Later he joined the Kishinchand Chellaram College and then studied medicine at Topiwala National Medical College and Nair Hospital in his native city and received his MBBS degree from the University of Mumbai.[citation needed] In 1991 he started working in the field of Da'wah Islam.

Naik says he was inspired by the late Ahmed Deedat,[4] who had been active in the field of Da'wah for more than 50 years.[5] According to Naik, his goal is to "concentrate on the educated Muslim youth who have become apologetic about their own religion and have started to feel the religion is outdated",[6] He considers it a duty of every Muslim to remove perceived misconceptions about Islam to counter what he views as the Western media's anti-Islamic bias in the aftermath of September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks upon the United States.[7] Some of his articles are also published in magazines like the Islamic Voice.[8][9][10]

Anthropologist Thomas Blom Hansen has written[6] that Naik's style of memorizing the Qur'an and hadith literature in various languages and related missionary activity has made him extremely popular in Muslim and non-Muslim circles.[6] Many of his debates are recorded and widely distributed in video and DVD media as well as online. His talks are usually recorded in English, to be broadcast at weekends on several cable networks in Mumbai's Muslim neighborhoods, and on the channel Peace TV, which he co-promotes.[2][11] Topics he speaks on include: "Islam and Modern Science", "Islam and Christianity", and "Islam and secularism".

Apart from IRF, Naik is also the founder and chairman of the Islamic International School (IIS), Mumbai. He is also the founder of Peace Network.

Lectures and debates

Naik has held many debates and lectures around the world as well as in Mumbai, India. One of Naik's most cited debates took place in Chicago in April, 2000 featuring William Campbell of Pennsylvania, USA on the topic "The Qur'an and the Bible: In the Light of Science".[12]

Delivering a lecture titled Why Westerners embrace Islam in November 2002 at King Fahd Hospital auditorium in Jeddah, Naik argued that Islam offers practical solutions to various problems facing the West such as adultery, alcoholism, and filial ingratitude.[citation needed]

Naik also stated that "despite the strident anti-Islam campaign, 34,000 Americans have embraced Islam from September 2001 to July 2002." He cited an article by Edward Said published in the Time magazine, which said that 60,000 books about Islam and the Orient have been written between 1800 and 1950 alone.[13][14]

In the lecture at Melbourne University, Naik argued that only Islam gave women true equality.[15] He stressed the importance of the headscarf by arguing that the more "revealing Western dress" makes women more susceptible to rape.[16]

On 21 January 2006, Naik held an inter-religious dialogue with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. The event was about the concept of God in Islam and Hinduism, the aim being to bring understanding between the two major religions of India, and at best to point out the commonalities between them. It was held in Bangalore, India with up to 50,000 attending at the Palace Grounds.[17]

In a lecture delivered on 31 July 2008 on Peace TV, Naik argued that 9/11 "it is a blatant, open secret that this attack on the Twin Towers was done by George Bush himself", to give Bush reason to attack and control oil-rich countries.[18][19]

On 7 March 2010 Naik participated in a live discussion with among others Soha Ali Khan on a TV show We The People on NDTV.[20]

Peace conferences

Every year since November 2007, Naik leads a 10-day "Peace Conference" at Somaiya Ground, Sion, Mumbai. Lectures on Islam have been presented by Naik as well as twenty other Islamic scholars from around the world.[21] Another prominent personality was the Malaysian politician, Anwar Ibrahim in 2008.[22]

During one of the lectures at the Peace Conference, Naik provoked anger among members of the Shia and Sunni community, when he mentioned the words "Radiallah ta'la anho" (meaning 'May Allah be pleased with him') after mentioning the name of Yazid I and made remarks that the battle of Karbala was political.[23] Others, however, believed the comment was blown out of proportion.[24]

In November 2009, the IRF organized a 10-day international Islamic conference and exhibition titled 'Peace – the solution for humanity' at the Somaiya grounds in Mumbai. Lectures on Islam were presented by Naik as well as thirty other Islamic scholars from around the world.[25]

Writings

In 2007, the Saudi Publishing house, Dar-us-Salam Publications, published two titles written by Naik, entitled "The Concept of God in Major Religions"[26] and "The Qur'an and Modern Science: Compatible or Incompatible?".[27]

Criticism and controversy

On the issue of the theory of evolution, Naik commented that it contradicts Islam since it remains "just a theory and not a fact". According to Naik, scientists "support the theory, because it went against the Bible – not because it was true."[28] According to Naik, there are hundreds of scientists and Nobel Prize winners who speak against Darwin's theory.[29]

In 2004, Naik visited New Zealand[30] and then the Australian capital at the invitation of Islamic Information and Services Network of Australasia. At his conference in Melbourne, senior writer and columnist[31] Sushi Das commented that "Naik extolled the moral and spiritual superiority of Islam and lampooned other faiths and the West in general", further criticizing that Naik's words "fostered a spirit of separateness and reinforced prejudice".[32]

In August 2006, Naik's visit and conference in Cardiff (UK) were the object of controversy, when Welsh MP David Davies called for his appearance to be cancelled. He argued that Naik was a 'hate-monger', and said his views did not deserve a 'public platform'; Muslims from Cardiff, however, defended Naik's right to speak in their city. Saleem Kidwai, Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Wales, disagreed with Davies, stating that "people who know about him (Naik) know that he is one of the most uncontroversial persons you could find. He talks about the similarities between religions, and how should we work on the common ground between them", whilst also inviting Davies to discuss further with Naik personally in the conference. The conference went ahead, after the Cardiff council stated it was satisfied that he would not be preaching extremist views.[33][34] Khushwant Singh, a prominent Indian journalist, politician and author argues that Naik's pronouncements are "juvenile" and said that "they seldom rise above the level of undergraduate college debates, where contestants vie with each other to score brownie points".
Singh replied to Naik's statement that "Western society claims to have uplifted women. On the contrary, it has actually degraded them to the status of concubines, mistresses, and society butterflies who are mere tools in the hands of pleasure seekers and sex marketers".[35] by saying "Dr. Naik, you know next to nothing about the Western society and are talking through your skull cap. People like you are making the Muslims lag behind other communities." Singh also noted that Naik's audiences "listen to him with rapt attention and often explode in enthusiastic applause when he rubbishes other religious texts".[36][37]

Islamic supremacist views

Commenting on the views of Naik, Indian sociologist Imtiaz Ahmed said, "Brought up on the heavy dose of Saudi Arabia-backed Salafist-Wahabi Islam, Naik follows a supremacist ideology.[38] Political analyst Khaled Ahmed argues that, Naik, through his claims of Islam's superiority over other religious faiths, practices, what he calls reverse Orientalism.[39]

Naik was heavily criticized for his misrepresentation of Islam by Correct Islamic Faith International Association in their three Articles (1, 2, 3). They claimed that Naik misinterprets qur'anic verses and ahadith.

Fatwas

In August 2008, Darul Uloom Deoband issued a fatwa stating: "The statements made by Dr Zakir Naik indicate that he is a preacher of Ghair Muqallidin. One should not rely upon his speeches.".[40] Similar Fatwas are given by many scholars including Mufti Zar Wali Khan

The Shariah Board of America has also issued more than 20 fatwas against Naik on their website. They believe Naik has gone astray, as he is not a scholar and issues Islamic teachings without authority or any knowledge to do so, which is dangerous to Islam; "Naik is known for discussions on comparative religions. He is not a qualified Aalim of deen. His comments on fiqh have no merit. If it is true that he condemned the fiqh of the Imams, then that in itself is a clear indication of his lack of fiqh and understanding of Shairah. We have come across a fatwa from Darul Ifta Jamia Binnoria, Pakistan regarding Zakir Naik not being a certified Aalim of Deen. He should consult with Ulama in his endeavor of propagating deen."[41][42]

In November 2008 the Lucknow based cleric Abul Irfan Mian Firangi Mahali issued a fatwa against Naik, describing Naik as a "Kafir" (non-believer) and stating in the fatwa, that Naik should be ex-communicated from Islam. He argued that "Naik is not an Islamic scholar. His teachings are against the Quran. In his speeches, he insults Allah and glorifies Yazeed, the killer of Imam Hussain" and that Naik had supported Osama bin Laden and called upon all Muslims to become terrorists. Naik, however, said that his speeches were misquoted and that he was allegedly targeted by people with vested interests and said of the fatwa: "fatwas mean nothing. They should also issue fatwas against Imam Bukhari. Some clerics who have limited understanding of Islam are doing these things. It doesn't affect me". The All-India Sunni Board and Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani Foundation have also defended Naik.[43][44]

Views on apostasy

Naik has stated that any Muslim is free to convert out of Islam if the person so chooses, but added that if a Muslim converts and then speaks against Islam it should be considered as treason. Naik stated that under Islamic law this is punishable by death.[45][46][47]

During a question and answer session at Naik's lecture on May 29 on the Maldives, a 37-year old Maldivian citizen named Mohamed Nazim stood up and announced that he was struggling to believe in any religion and did not consider himself to be a Muslim. Nazim further asked what his verdict would be under Islam and in the Maldives.[47][48] Dr Naik responded that he considers the punishment for apostasy not necessarily to mean death since Muhammed was reported in the Hadith scriptures to on some occasion to have shown clemency towards apostates, but added that if a Muslim apostate speaks and propagates against Islam under Islamic Shari’a rule then the apostate should be put to death.[47]

Mohamed Nazim was reported to have been arrested and put in protective custody by the Maldivian Police. He later publicly reverted back to Islam in custody after receiving two days of counseling by two islamic scholars, but was held awaiting possible charges.[49][50][51]

Views on homosexuality

During a 16 October, 2006 lecture Dr. Naik erroneously claimed that "one-third of New York was gay" and that being homosexual was a problem found in the United States.[52]

Views on terrorism

Naik's views and statements on terrorism have at times been criticised in the media and by the United Kingdom Home Secretary.[53] In a YouTube video speaking of Osama bin Laden, Naik said that he would not criticise bin Laden because he had not met him and did not know him personally.[54] He added: "If he is fighting the enemies of Islam, I am for him. If he is terrorizing the terrorists, America, the biggest terrorist, I am with him. Every Muslim should be a terrorist. ... A terrorist is a person who causes terror. The moment a robber sees a policeman he is terrified. A policeman is a terrorist for the robber. Similarly every Muslim should be a terrorist for the antisocial elements of society, such as thieves, dacoits and rapists. Whenever such an anti-social element sees a Muslim, he should be terrified. It is true that the word ‘terrorist’ is generally used for a person who causes terror among the common people. But a true Muslim should only be a terrorist to selective people i.e. anti-social elements, and not to the common innocent people. In fact a Muslim should be a source of peace for innocent people."[53]

Debate with Hindu leaders

Naik argued in his writings that Vedas and other Hindu scriptures prophecize the Prophet Muhammad.[55] This evoked strong criticism from Hindus in general and Arya Samaj in particular who consider Vedas to be revealed texts. Because Naik claimed to have defeated Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in a debate, he was challenged to debate Arya Samaj on this issue.[56] After he refused to debate them after a series of requests[citation needed], a detailed rebuttal of Naik's views along with the details of communications with IRF was made online by Arya Samaj.[57]

2010 exclusion from the UK and Canada

Naik has been denied entry into United Kingdom and Canada since June 2010.[58][59][60][61][62] He was banned by the Home Secretary Theresa May. He had arranged to give talks in London and Sheffield. May said of the exclusion order regarding Naik, "Numerous comments made by Dr Naik are evidence to me of his unacceptable behavior". She noted statements from Naik such as, "every Muslim should be a terrorist".[60][61] Naik's full quote is: "Every Muslim should be a terrorist. A terrorist is a person who causes terror. The moment a robber sees a policeman he is terrified. A policeman is a terrorist for the robber. Similarly every Muslim should be a terrorist for the antisocial elements of society, such as thieves, dacoits and rapists".[63]

Naik believed that the Home secretary was making a "political decision and not a legal one".[64][65][66] It was reported that Naik would attempt to challenge the ruling in the High court.[67] His application for judicial review was dismissed on 5 November 2010.[68]

Accolades

On 31 January 2010, the Sunday Express published The Indian Express list of the “100 Most Powerful Indians in 2010”. It ranked Naik at 89.[69] Of the Muslims in this list, Naik was the only Islamic preacher. The other Muslims were a political secretary, a politician, a government official, a business magnate and three film personalities.[70] He was the third most influential religious figure listed in 2009,[71] whereas in 2010 he rose to become the highest placed religious leader at No. 89 followed by Jaggi Vasudev at 94, Baba Ramdev at 99 and Sri Sri Ravi Shankar at 100.[72]

References

  1. ^ "Dr. Zakir Naik". Islamic Research Foundation. 23 January 2006. Retrieved 2010-09-05.
  2. ^ a b Mazumdar, Sudip (March 2010). "Beaming In Salvation". MSN.
  3. ^ "Zakir Naik". Tungekar.com. Retrieved 30 August 2009.
  4. ^ Spreading God’s Word Is His Mission – Arab News
  5. ^ Muslims Mourn Ahmed Deedat, IslamOnline.net, August 8, 2005
  6. ^ a b c Hansen, Thomas (2001). Wages of Violence: Naming and Identity in Postcolonial Bombay. Princeton University Press. p. 177. ISBN 0-691-08840-3.
  7. ^ Media Urged to Counter Anti-Muslim Bias – Arab news, Sunday October 9, 2005
  8. ^ Prohibition of Alcohol in Islam – Islamic Voice
  9. ^ Was Islam Spread by the Sword? – by Dr. Zakir Naik
  10. ^ Are Ram And Krishna Prophets Of God? – Islamic Voice
  11. ^ Syed Neaz Ahmad (23 February 2007). "Peace TV Reaching 50 Million Viewers – Zakir Naik". Saudi Gazette. Archived from the original on 2007-07-07. Retrieved 18 May 2007.
  12. ^ Khaled Ahmed (2006-01-08) WORD FOR WORD: William Campbell versus Zakir Naik Daily Times. Retrieved on 2009-07-30.
  13. ^ New Muslims on the rise in US after Sept. 11 [dead link‍]
  14. ^ Time Magazine, Islam, Orientalism And the West; Monday, Apr. 16, 1979
  15. ^ Das, Sushi (2004-08-30). "Islam's gender debate at the fore". Melbourne: Theage.com.au. Retrieved 30 August 2009.
  16. ^ "The clash of ignorance". Melbourne: Theage.com.au. 6 August 2005. Retrieved 30 August 2009.
  17. ^ Religious dialogue for Spiritual Enlightenment Retrieved on 2009-07-20.
  18. ^ Naik:9/11 an insiders job
  19. ^ Naik:9/11 an insiders job (transcript)
  20. ^ Rising Kashmir, Daily Newspaper, Srinagar Jammu and Kashmir - The problem of being Naik by Dr Javaid Iqbal Bhat
  21. ^ Justice, peace & unity: The cornerstone of Islam by Syed Neaz Ahmad, Saudi Gazette,
  22. ^ Shahid Raza Burney (2007-12-31) Zakir Naik’s Remarks on Yazid Spark Anger Among Muslims Arab News. Retrieved on 2009-07-30.
  23. ^ Row_over_Islamic_preachers_remarks by Mohammed Wajihuddin, Times of India
  24. ^ Zakir Naik’s Remarks on Yazid Spark Anger Among Muslims by Shahid Raza Burney, Arab News
  25. ^ Site of the Peace Conferences
  26. ^ The Concept of God in Major Religions
  27. ^ The Qur'an and Modern Science: Compatible or Incompatible?
  28. ^ Quran and Modern Science – Conflict or Conciliation? – Part Two – by Dr. Zakir Naik
  29. ^ Quran and Modern Science – Conflict or Conciliation? – Part Two – by Dr. Zakir Naik
  30. ^ "Scholar clears the air about Islam 'labels'" (PDF). Te Waha Nui. 6 September 2004. Retrieved 20 May 2007.
  31. ^ The Age, Sushi Das Profile
  32. ^ "Between two worlds". The Age. Melbourne. 28 July 2005. Retrieved 20 May 2007.
  33. ^ Row over Islamic preacher – WalesOnline.co.uk
  34. ^ Katie Bodinger (21 August 2006). "Cleric's address hailed a success". Icwales.icnetwork.co.uk. Retrieved 30 August 2009.
  35. ^ Questions Commonly Asked by Non-Muslims -III : Hijab for Women by Dr. Zakir Naik
  36. ^ One man’s belief is another’s shackle by Khuswant Singh,
  37. ^ Why Muslims lag behind by Khuswant Singh,
  38. ^ American Chronicle: Media bias, spread of religious hatred and fanatic approach, by Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury, February 14, 2009
  39. ^ "Second opinion: Zakir Naik's 'reverse orientalism' —Khaled Ahmed's TV Review". Daily Times. 16 December 2003. Retrieved 2007-05-20.
  40. ^ Fatwa: 1541
  41. ^ Shariah Board of America – Q&A
  42. ^ Untitled Page
  43. ^ Storm over fatwa against scholar Zakir Naik
  44. ^ Why do Muslims hate Dr Zakir Naik?
  45. ^ Zakir Naik on Apostasy Youtube 2009-09-10
  46. ^ Zakir Naik & Apostasy Youtube (Hindi, English texted) 23-07-2007
  47. ^ a b c Maldivian man asks Naik about what the verdict is to be regarding his lack of faith Youtube 2010-06-03
  48. ^ Maldivian renounces Islam, gets attacked by Zakir Naik audience Haveeru Daily (English Ed.) 2010-05-30
  49. ^ What will happen to the Maldivian who renounced Islam? Haveeru Daily (English Ed.) 2010-05-31
  50. ^ Maldivian who renounced Islam reverts back Haveeru Daily (English Ed.) 2010-06-01
  51. ^ Islamic Foundation calls for death sentence if apostate fails to repent Minivan News 2010-05-30
  52. ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDCea5ajbN4
  53. ^ a b TIME Magazine: An Enemy Within: The Making of Najibullah Zazi, by David Von Drehle and Bobby Ghosh, Thursday, Oct. 01, 2009
  54. ^ "Zakir Naik". YouTube.com. Retrieved 25 November 2010.
  55. ^ "Prophet Muhammad in Hindu Scriptures"
  56. ^ "Official Challenge to Dr Zakir Naik by Arya Samaj"
  57. ^ "Zakir Naik rebuttal by Arya Samaj"
  58. ^ The Trouble with Dr. Zakir Naik
  59. ^ "Controversial Muslim televangelist Zakir Naik banned from Toronto conference", by Kathryn Blaze Carlson, The National Post, June 22, 2010
  60. ^ a b "Indian preacher Zakir Naik is banned from UK". The BBC. June 18, 2010. Retrieved June 18, 2010.
  61. ^ a b "'Hate preacher' banned from Britain". The Economic Voice. June 18, 2010. Retrieved June 18, 2010.
  62. ^ R Jagannathan, "Supremacist Ideologies", DNA India
  63. ^ "ANSWER TO NON-MUSLIMS' COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT ISLAM" (PDF). Dr. Zakir Abdul Karim Naik. June 22, 2010. Retrieved June 22, 2010.
  64. ^ "UK ban politically motivated decision: Zakir Naik". The Zee News. June 23, 2010. Retrieved June 23, 2010.
  65. ^ "Zakir Naik comments on UK ban". youtube.com. Retrieved Nov 27, 2010.
  66. ^ "Dr. Zakir Naik Exclusion". www.zakirnaikexclusion.com. Retrieved Nov 27, 2010.
  67. ^ "Legal challenge to ban on Muslim preacher Zakir Naik". The BBC. June 19, 2010. Retrieved June 19, 2010.
  68. ^ "BAILII". November 5, 2010. Retrieved November 5, 2010.
  69. ^ "The most powerful indians in 2010: No. 81-90". www.indianexpress.com. Retrieved 27 November 2010.
  70. ^ "The most powerful Indians". www.indianexpress.com. Retrieved 27 November 2010.
  71. ^ "The most powerful indians in 2009: 80-84". www.indianexpress.com. Retrieved 27 November 2010.
  72. ^ "The most powerful indians in 2010: No. 91-100". www.indianexpress.com. Retrieved 27 November 2010.

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