Activists campaign to block Indian preacher Zakir Naik from Lebanon

A group of activists in Lebanon have launched a campaign to block prominent Muslim preacher, Zakir Naik, from a speaking tour in Lebanon.

The group – who have claimed that the views of Naik are “extremist” and “inflammatory” – say that the presence of the cleric is not conducive to the harmony of a multicultural country like Lebanon.

Naik has previously denied accusations against him yet organisers of the campaign told told The New Arab that his views may encourage attacks on both non-Muslims and moderate Muslims.

Dr. Naik is a popular figure and his prominence over the last decade has made him a household name in Muslim-majority countries. However, over the past few years he has stoked controversy. Dr Naik was previously denied entry to the UK by then Home Secretary and current Prime Minister Theresa May over what she believed were extreme views.

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Naik was granted Saudi citizenship in May. The 51-year-old left India last year, allegedly to evade arrest after some perpetrators of the 2016 Dhaka terror attack claimed they were inspired by him. He is wanted by Indian authorities in connection with his alleged role in the attack and over money laundering allegations.

Indian press reported that the country’s enforcement officials were moving to revoke his passport and request Interpol issue an arrest warrant for him.

It was believed that Naik, who had by then moved to Saudi Arabia, would be forced to return to India if his passport was revoked. The Mumbai passport office, which appears not to have anticipated Saudi Arabia granting citizenship to Naik, moved to revoke his passport while a special court sent out an arrest warrant for him.

In his defence Dr Naik claims that there is a campaign against him, fuelled by the Hindu nationalist agenda of India’s Modi government.

Activists who spoke to The New Arab said they were threatening legal action on the grounds that his views may be in violation of Lebanese laws regarding sectarian incitement.

Naik has previously defended himself, saying his remarks were taken out of context by his critics. He is known to have condemned Daesh and all forms of political and religious extremism. His supporters point out that there is no connection between conservative Islamic beliefs and practices, which Zakir Naik endorses, and violent extremism. Observers in the counterterrorism world seem to support this claim.