New Delhi: As agencies turn up the heat on the controversial Islamic preacherfollowing a series of revelations after the ghastly attack in Dhaka, Zakir Naik today came out with a statement saying he is shocked at the media trial against him and sought to clarify that he does not support terrorism.
“I do not support terrorism or violence in any form whatsoever. I have never supported any terrorist organizations. I strongly condemn anyone taking my statements out of context and using it for violence of any form,” Naik said in a press release issued today.
Facing heat over his plans to defer his return to India, Zakir today said he was open to cooperate with probe agencies for any information.
“Would be my pleasure to cooperate with any official Indian government investigation agency for any info they might require from me. So far not a single official Indian government agency has contacted me for any clarification regarding this issue,” he said.
Naik today cancelled his scheduled return to Mumbai from Saudi Arabia on Monday. It was expected that Naik may issue a video clarification. “If time permits, God willing, in the next few days I will give replies to some of the major allegations on video and give it to the media as well as put it up on social media as well as other public platforms so that the original answers are also available,” he said in the statement released today.
Naik is under scanner following several revelations that link him to militants accused of having carried several terror attacks across the region. Two of the 5 young militants who massacred 20 hostages, including an Indian, at a popular cafe in Bangladesh's capital Dhaka on July 1, drew their inspiration from his speeches, reports have said.
He has also been accused of meeting two brothers from Kerala who went missing from the Middle East and are feared to have joined the Islamic State group.
On Sunday, Bangladesh banned Naik’s controversial Peace TV, claiming it incited the recent attack on the Dhaka café.
A special team has been set up to investigate his activities, and has gathered information about his properties, funding and other activities.
Here is the full text of Zakir Naik’s statement:
"According to me, the media is the most important weapon in the world. It can convert a hero into villain or even a villain into a hero.
I'm shocked at the media trial on me regarding the recent terrorist attack that took place in Dhaka Bangladesh on 1st July 2016. Most of the clips shown on the television of myself are either out of context, half statements or doctored. So are my statements in the print media.
I would have loved to give interviews whether for television channels or for the print media, but I fear that most of them will not publish it unedited or without twisting it. I came to this conclusion after I had given a few interviews, most of which were unfortunately mutilated and misutilised to serve the vested agenda of the channel or the newspaper.
If time permits, God willing, in the next few days I will give replies to some of the major allegations on video and give it to the media as well as put it up on social media as well as other public platforms so that the original answers are also available if the media misutilises it.
So far not a single official Indian government agency has contacted me for any clarification regarding this issue. It would be my pleasure to cooperate with any official Indian government investigation agency for any information they might require from me.
In conclusion, I repeat what I have always maintained - I DO NOT SUPPORT TERRORISM OR VIOLENCE in any form whatsoever. I have never supported any terrorist organisations and have mentioned this over and over again in thousands of my public talks worldwide. I STRONGLY CONDEMN anyone taking my statements out of context and using it for VIOLENCE OF ANY FORM."
Yours Sincerely,
Dr Zakir Naik
