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Radical Islamist preacher Zakir Naik to be deported from Oman, India in touch with authorities: Reports

by Trans World Features | @twfindia 21 Mar 2023, 09:25 pm

New Delhi/IBNS: Radical Islamist preacher Zakir Naik, wanted in India for inciting communal violence through his hate speeches, is likely to be deported from Oman, media reports said.

Indian intelligence agencies have already got in touch with Oman authorities to detain Naik during his visit to Oman on March 23.

Naik is scheduled to visit Oman to deliver two lectures. His first lecture “The Quran a Global Necessity” is organized by the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs of Oman and scheduled on the first day of Ramadan-March 23.

The second lecture “Prophet Muhammad [PBUH] A Mercy to Humankind” is scheduled at Sultan Qaboos University on March 25 evening.

The local Indian embassy is in touch with agencies to detain and eventually deport him under local laws.

According to media reports, there was a strong possibility that local authorities oblige their request and detain him.

Indian agencies are likely to send a legal team for follow-up after detention. The matter was taken up with the Omani Ambassador by the MEA.

Naik came under the scanner of security agencies after it was found that two ISIS terrorists involved in the 2016 Dhaka cafe terror attack were his followers and inspired by his sermons.

A criminal case was filed against him by the NIA following an order by the Union Home Ministry which also banned his Mumbai-based Islamic Research Foundation (IRF).

Before the MEA came up with the statement, Zakir's Malaysian lawyers denied being served with any extradition notice.

Earlier, Qatar had invited Naik to give religious sermons at the FIFA World Cup 2022.

Naik, who faces charges of money laundering and hate speech in India, has been living in exile in Malaysia since 2017, as a runaway fugitive.