It keeps getting worse for the wildly popular Islamic preacher Zakir Naik. Described as the “third most popular guru in India,” deemed “the rock star of tele-evangelism and a proponent of modern Islam,” and whose Peace Channel boasts 100 million viewers, Zaik’s reputation has been taking a global flogging lately. Now comes word that Naik, also well known for his “gift” of eliciting mass conversions to Islam, has been actually paying people to convert to Islam. Mumbai Police investigators say Naik and his non-profit Islamic Research Foundation have “illegally converted around 800 people to Islam by paying them using funds received from abroad.”
It’s just another strike to add to Zakir Naik’s list of unsavory revelations. Naik landed on the radar of security agencies following reports that the jihadists behind the slaughters in Dhaka were inspired by his sermons. In fact, one of the terrorists quoted Naik on his Facebook Page that “every Muslim should be a terrorist.”
Stated of Naik in a Hindu Times article:
“He preaches on Peace TV, but causes unrest. He wears a suit in the western style teamed with a skull cap. He’s a suave doctor who speaks fluent English, but his speeches stir up the young and the impressionable.”
Jihad Watch also reported in March 2015 about Saudi Arabia giving a prestigious award to the suave Naik, who preached that “every Muslim should be a terrorist” and blamed George Bush for 9/11.
Yet Naik said in a 2010 press release that “my message to vulnerable young British Muslims is that terrorism and violent extremism is totally unacceptable and has no place in Islamic life,” a glowing example of stealth jihadist deception and lies in swaying the masses.
“Exclusive | Zakir Naik’s foundation converted many to Islam: Police,” by Saurabh M Joshi, Hindustan Times, July 26, 2016:
The special branch of the Mumbai Police claims that controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik and his non-profit Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) have illegally converted around 800 people to Islam by paying them using funds received from abroad. The allegation, if proved, could spell more trouble for Naik, who is being investigated for his fiery speeches and alleged extremist links.
The police learnt about this after the Maharashtra anti-terrorism squad (ATS) and Kerala Police arrested Arshid Qureshi, a guest representative officer of IRF, from his house at Seawoods in Navi Mumbai on Thursday. A day later, the same team arrested Kalyan resident Rizwan Khan, who allegedly played a crucial role in the conversions and weddings.
The special branch of the Mumbai Police claims that controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik and his non-profit Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) have illegally converted around 800 people to Islam by paying them using funds received from abroad. The allegation, if proved, could spell more trouble for Naik, who is being investigated for his fiery speeches and alleged extremist links.
The police learnt about this after the Maharashtra anti-terrorism squad (ATS) and Kerala Police arrested Arshid Qureshi, a guest representative officer of IRF, from his house at Seawoods in Navi Mumbai on Thursday. A day later, the same team arrested Kalyan resident Rizwan Khan, who allegedly played a crucial role in the conversions and weddings.
Both Arshid and Rizwan were taken to Kochi on a transit remand as they were named in an FIR registered at Palarivottam police station in Kochi against Bestin Vincent, alias Yahya, a Christian from Palakkad who converted to Islam and is believed to have joined the Islamic State. Bestin and his wife Merin Jacob, alias Mariyam, have been missing for some time. The FIR is based on a complaint registered by Merin’s brother Ebin Jacob.
According to Ebin’s complaint, Merin, who is from a Christian family in Edapally, Kochi, met Bestin while she was working in Mumbai in 2015. They got into a relationship and eventually married. According to a source in the Kerala Police, Bestin and Arshid converted Merin to Islam and radicalised her during her stay in Mumbai. Merin initially resisted but finally relented after she was taken to various classes, added the source.
According to Ebin’s complaint, Bestin and Arshid then forced Merin to join the Islamic State, which she also resisted at first, expressing her desire to return to Kerala. Ebin claimed that Bestin and Arshid had tried to compel him to convert to Islam, too.
Earlier, Merin’s parents had alleged that both Bestin and Merin had been radicalised by Naik, whom they had met in Mumbai.
The special branch found that Rizwan also worked for an organisation known as Al-Birr Foundation at Mazagaon, allegedly a hub for conversions and marriages funded by IRF.
“After an initial indoctrination, (potential converts) would be taken to Arshid’s Navi Mumbai office for further indoctrination. Later, they would be taken to a Dongri office where Rizwan would complete the documentation for their conversion,” said a police officer, who did not wish to be named.
Investigators added that Rizwan, who is also a maulvi or a priest, would also conduct marriages for couples among the converts. Finally, he would send vouchers with individual expenses to Arshid, who would pay for them from IRF’s funds, the police said.
“IRF gets funds from several countries, including Saudi Arabia, and these were used for such activities. Those converted would also get around Rs 50,000 in cash,” added the officer.
Investigators have also identified others who allegedly assisted Arshid and Rizwan and are questioning them.
The latest revelations will be included in the police’s final report that will be submitted to Mumbai Police commissioner DD Padsalgikar.