Following the invitation to controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik by Qatar to FIFA World Cup, BJP Spokesperson Savio Rodrigues today appealed to the government, Indian Football Associations and Indians travelling to the host nation to boycott the sporting event.
Zakir Naik, who is an Indian fugitive has been reportedly invited by Qatar to deliver lectures on Islam during the ongoing FIFA World Cup.
In a statement, Mr. Rodrigues said that giving a platform to Naik at a time when the world is battling terrorism is like giving a “terror sympathiser” to “spread hate”.
Advertisements
“FIFA World Cup is a global event. People from all over the world come to witness this spectacular sport and also millions watch it on TV and the internet. Giving a platform to Zakir Naik, at a time when the world is fighting global terrorism, is to give a platform to a terrorist to spread his radicalism and hate,” he said.
The BJP leader appealed to the people of the country and also the people from abroad who are victims of terrorism to boycott the World Cup event “in solidarity with the global fight against terrorism”.
Alleging that Naik has been instrumental in spreading “Islamic radicalism and hate in India”, Rodrigues said that he “is no less than a terrorist himself”.
Advertisements
“Zakir Naik is a wanted man under Indian law. He is charged with money-laundering crimes and hate speeches. He is a terror sympathiser. In fact, he is no less than a terrorist himself. He has openly supported terrorist Osama bin Laden and has been instrumental in spreading Islamic radicalism and hate in India,” Mr. Rodrigues added.
Earlier in March this year, Home Ministry had declared Zakir Naik-founded Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) an unlawful association and banned it for five years.
“Preacher Sheikh Zakir Naik is present in Qatar during the World Cup and will give many religious lectures throughout the tournament,” Al Arabiya News quoted Faisal Alhajri, a presenter at the Qatari state-owned sports channel Alkass, as saying on Twitter on Saturday.
Advertisements
The MHA notification stated that the speeches of Zakir Naik, founder of the IRF, were objectionable as he has been extolling known terrorists.
The notification further stated that the IRF founder has also been promoting forcible conversion of the youth to Islam, justifying the suicide bombings, and posting objectionable comments against Hindus, Hindu Gods and other religions, which are derogatory to other religions.
“Naik has also been further inspiring the Muslim youth and terrorists in India and abroad to commit terrorist acts,” the notification added. It also said that unlawful activities of IRF, its members, as well as sympathizers were noticed in Gujarat, Karnataka, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Kerala, Maharashtra and Odisha.
Advertisements
Next Story :
-
Asaduddin Owaisi Urges People To Participate In Caste Census
AIMIM President Asaduddin Owaisi urged the people to participate in the ongoing ‘caste census’ being taken up in the State.
-
Heavy Rains In Telangana For Next Three Days
The people of Telangana have been alerted because of moderate to heavy rains in the state for the next three days, according to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD).
-
Abdul Hafeez From Telangana Elected As SIO India National President
Abdul Hafeez from Telangana was elected as the National President of the Students Islamic Organisation (SIO) of India.
-
Banks To Remain Closed On These Dates In December 2024
Banks will not function on 17 days in December on account of festivals, as well as on second and fourth Saturdays and all Sundays.
-
Youth Kills His Girlfriend With Knife In Madhya Pradesh
A youth stabbed his girlfriend seven times with a knife in broad daylight after accusing her of cheating in Madhya Pradesh on Wednesday afternoon. After seriously injuring the woman, the accused fled the scene.
Now you can get the latest stories from Hydnow every day. Click the link to subscribe. Click to follow Hydnow’s Facebook page and Twitter and Instagram