Zakir Naik

Zakir Naik
Zakir Naik

Zakir Naik invited for a religious talk, in 2007 in Dubai
Born Zakir Abdul Karim Naik
October 18, 1965 (1965-10-18) (age 46)
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Nationality Indian
Education Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery
Alma mater Kishinchand Chellaram College
Topiwala National Medical College and Nair Hospital
University of Mumbai
Occupation President of Islamic Research Foundation, public speaker
Years active 1991–present
Known for Dawah
Influenced by Ahmad Deedat
Board member of Islamic Research Foundation
Religion Islam
Spouse Farhat Naik
Website
IRF.net
PeaceTV.tv

Zakir Abdul Karim Naik (Urdu: ذاکر عبدالکریم نائیک; born 18 October 1965) is an Indian public speaker on the subject of Islam and comparative religion. He is the founder and president of the Islamic Research Foundation (IRF),[1] a non-profit organization that owns the Peace TV channel based in Dubai, UAE. He is sometimes referred to as a televangelist.[2][3] Before becoming a public speaker, he trained as a doctor.[3] He has written booklets on Islam and comparative religion.

Contents

Biography

Zakir Abdul Karim Naik was born on 18 October 1965 in Mumbai, India. He attended St. Peter's High School in Mumbai. Later he enrolled at Kishinchand Chellaram College, before studying medicine at Topiwala National Medical College and Nair Hospital and later the University of Mumbai, where he obtained a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBBS).[1] His wife, Farhat Naik, works for the women's section of the IRF.[4]

In 1991 he started working in the field of Dawah, and founded the IRF.[5] Naik says he was inspired by Ahmed Deedat, an Islamic preacher, having met him in 1987.[6] (Naik is sometimes referred to as "Deedat plus", a label given to him by Deedat himself.)[6][7] Naik says that his goal is to "concentrate on the educated Muslim youth who have become apologetic about their own religion and have started to feel the religion is outdated."[8] He considers it a duty of every Muslim to remove perceived misconceptions about Islam and to counter what he views as the Western media's anti-Islamic bias in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 attacks (also known as 9/11) in the United States.[9] Some of his articles are published in magazines such as Islamic Voice.[10]

Anthropologist Thomas Blom Hansen has written that Naik's style of memorizing the Quran and Hadith literature in various languages, and his related missionary activity, has made him extremely popular in Muslim and non-Muslim circles.[8] Many of his debates are recorded and widely distributed in video and DVD media and online. His talks are usually recorded in English and broadcast on weekends on several cable networks in Mumbai's Muslim neighborhoods, and on the Peace TV channel, which he co-produces.[11][12] Topics he speaks on include: "Islam and Modern Science", "Islam and Christianity", and "Islam and secularism".

Naik is the founder of the Islamic International School in Mumbai.[13]

Lectures and debates

Naik has held many debates and lectures around the world. One of Naik's most-cited debates was with William Campbell in Chicago in April 2000 on the topic of "The Qur'an and the Bible: In the Light of Science".[14]

Naik has said that "despite the strident anti-Islam campaign, 34,000 Americans have embraced Islam from September 2001 to July 2002." He says Islam is a religion of reason and logic, and that the Quran contains 1000 verses relating to science, which he says explains the number of Western converts.[15] A popular theme of Naik's is to demonstrate how scientific theories were prophesised by the Quran. For example, he says certain verses of the Quran accurately describe embryological development.[16]

On 21 January 2006 Naik held an inter-religious debate with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in Bangalore about the concept of God in Islam and Hinduism.[17]

In 2008 an Islamic scholar in Lucknow, shahar qazi Mufti Abul Irfan Mian Firangi Mahali, issued a fatwa against Naik, saying that he supported Osama bin Laden, and that his teachings were un-Islamic.[18]

In February 2011 Naik addressed the Oxford Union via video link from India.[19]

Peace Conference

Every year since November 2007 Naik has led a 10-day Peace Conference at Somaiya Ground, Sion, Mumbai. Lectures on Islam have been presented by Naik and twenty other Islamic scholars.[20]

During one of the lectures at the 2007 Peace Conference, Naik provoked anger between members of the Shia and Sunni communities, when he said the words "Radiallah ta'la anho" ("May Allah be pleased with him") after mentioning the name of Caliph Yazid I—a figure hated by many Muslims, but particularly by Shias—and said the battle of Karbala was political.[21] Others, however, believed the comment was blown out of proportion.[22]

Writings

In 2007 Saudi-based Dar-us-Salam Publications published two booklets written by Naik: The Concept of God in Major Religions and The Qur'an and Modern Science: Compatible or Incompatible?

Biological evolution

Naik has said that the theory of evolution is "only a hypothesis, and an unproven conjecture at best".[23]

Visit to Australia and Wales

In 2004 Naik, at the invitation of the Islamic Information and Services Network of Australasia, made an appearance at Melbourne University, where he argued that only Islam gave women true equality.[24] He said the more "revealing Western dress" makes women more susceptible to rape.[25] Sushi Das of The Agecommented that "Naik extolled the moral and spiritual superiority of Islam and lampooned other faiths and the West in general", further criticizing that Naik's words "fostered a spirit of separateness and reinforced prejudice".[26]

In August 2006 Naik's visit and conference in Cardiff caused controversy when Welsh MP David Davies called for his appearance to be cancelled. He said Naik was a "hate-monger", and that his views did not deserve a public platform; Muslims from Cardiff, however, defended Naik's right to speak in the city. Saleem Kidwai, Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Wales, disagreed with Davies, stating that "people who know about him (Naik) know that he is one of the most uncontroversial persons you could find. He talks about the similarities between religions, and how should we work on the common ground between them", whilst also inviting Davies to discuss further with Naik personally in the conference. The conference went ahead, after the Cardiff council stated it was satisfied that he would not be preaching extremist views.[27]

Views on apostasy

Naik has said that any Muslim is free to convert from Islam if the person so chooses, but added that if a Muslim converts and then speaks against Islam it should be considered treason. Naik stated that under Islamic law this is punishable by death.[28]

Views on terrorism

Naik's views and statements on terrorism have at times been criticised in the media. In a YouTube video, speaking of Osama bin Laden, Naik said that he would not criticise bin Laden because he had not met him and did not know him personally. He added that, "If bin Laden is fighting enemies of Islam, I am for him," and that "If he is terrorizing America — the terrorist, biggest terrorist — I am with him. Every Muslim should be a terrorist."[29]

In 2010, he said he had been quoted out of context regarding these remarks on terrorism. "As far as terrorist is concerned," he said, "I tell the Muslims that every Muslim should be a terrorist. ... What is the meaning of the word terrorist? Terrorist by definition means a person who terrorises. So in this context every Muslim should be a terrorist to each and every anti-social element. I’m aware that terrorist is more commonly used for a person who terrorises innocent human beings. So in this context no Muslim should ever terrorise a single innocent human being."[30]

In a subsequent interview with Time, he later said: "I have always condemned terrorism, because according to the glorious Koran, if you kill one innocent person, then you have killed the whole of humanity" referring to Qur'an 5:32.[31]

In a lecture delivered on 31 July 2008 on Peace TV, Naik said, regarding the September 11 attacks: "it is a blatant, open secret that this attack on the Twin Towers was done by George Bush himself",referring to various 9/11 conspiracy theories to give the United States reason to attack and control oil-rich countries.[32]

2010 exclusion from the UK and Canada

Naik was denied entry into the United Kingdom and Canada in June 2010.[33][34] He was banned from entering the UK by Home Secretary Theresa May after arranging to give talks in London and Sheffield. May said of the exclusion order, "Numerous comments made by Dr Naik are evidence to me of his unacceptable behavior". [33] Naik argued that the Home Secretary was making a political decision and not a legal one, and his lawyer said the decision was "barbaric and inhuman".He also claimed that his comments were taken out of context.[35] Film producer Mahesh Bhatt supported Naik, saying the ban constituted an attack on Freedom of speech.[36] It was reported that Naik would attempt to challenge the ruling in the High Court.[37] His application for judicial review was dismissed on 5 November 2010.[5] Naik was forbidden from entering Canada after Tarek Fatah, founder of Muslim Canadian Congress, warned MPs of Naik's views.[34]

Reception

Naik was ranked 89 on The Indian Express's list of the "100 Most Powerful Indians in 2010".[38] He was ranked 82 in the 2009 edition.[39] According to Praveen Swami, Naik is "perhaps the most influential Salafi ideologue in India".[40] Sanjiv Buttoo says he is acknowledged as an authority on Islam, but is known for making negative remarks about other religions.[33] Sadanand Dhume writes that Naik has a "carefully crafted image of moderation", because of his gentle demeanor, his wearing of a suit and tie, and his quoting of scriptures of other religions.[41]

Khushwant Singh, a prominent Indian journalist, politician, and author, says he "disagree[s] with almost everything [Naik] has to say about misconceptions about Islam". Singh argues that Naik's pronouncements are "juvenile", and said "they seldom rise above the level of undergraduate college debates, where contestants vie with each other to score brownie points".[42] Singh also says Naik's audiences "listen to him with rapt attention and often explode in enthusiastic applause when he rubbishes other religious texts".[43]

Yoginder Sikand wrote in 2011 that influential sections of the Deobandi community in India were beginning to hold a negative view of Naik. They said he was not abiding by ijma (Islamic consensus) and qiyas (analogical deduction of the Quran and Hadith), and therefore, in Sikand's view, was undermining their authority.[44]

References

  1. ^ a b "Dr. Zakir Naik". Islamic Research Foundation. Accessed 16 April 2011.
  2. ^ Hope, Christopher. "Home secretary Theresa May bans radical preacher Zakir Naik from entering UK". The Daily Telegraph. 18 June 2010. Accessed 7 August 2011. Archived 7 August 2011.
  3. ^ a b Shukla, Ashutosh. "Muslim group welcomes ban on preacher". Daily News and Analysis. 22 June 2010. Accessed 16 April 2011. Archived 7 August 2011.
  4. ^ Ramanujan, Sweta. "Beyond veil: Am I not a normal Muslim girl?". expressindia.com. Indian Express Group. 16 July 2004. Accessed 16 April 2011. Archived 16 April 2011.
  5. ^ a b "Dr Zakir Naik vs (1) The Secretary of State for the Home Department (2) Entry Clearance Officer, Mumbai, India". British and Irish Legal Information Institute. 5 November 2010. Accessed 21 July 2011.
  6. ^ a b Wahab, Siraj. "Spreading God’s Word Is His Mission". Arab News. 1 July 2006. Accessed 16 April 2011. Archived 7 August 2011.
  7. ^ Lewis, Philip. "Depictions of "Christianity" within British Islamic Institutions". Ridgeon, Lloyd (ed) (2001). Islamic Interpretations of Christianity. St. Martin's Press. pp. 213–214.
  8. ^ a b Hansen, Thomas (2001). Wages of Violence: Naming and Identity in Postcolonial Bombay. Princeton University Press. pp. 176–177. ISBN 0-691-08840-3.
  9. ^ Hassan, Javid; Rasooldeen, Mohammed. "Media Urged to Counter Anti-Muslim Bias". Arab News. 9 October 2005. Accessed 7 August 2011. Archived 7 August 2011.
  10. ^ See, for example: "Questions Commonly Asked by Non-Muslims - VI : Prohibition of Alcohol", "Was Islam Spread by the Sword?", "Are Ram And Krishna Prophets Of God?".
  11. ^ Mazumdar, Sudip. "Beaming In Salvation". MSNBC. 23 January 2006. Archived 18 January 2006.
  12. ^ Ahmad, Syed Neaz. "Peace TV Reaching 50 Million Viewers – Dr. Zakir Naik". Saudi Gazette. 23 February 2007. Archived 7 July 2007.
  13. ^ "Conceived and Developed by Dr. Zakir Naik:". Islamic Research Foundation. Accessed 16 April 2011. Archived 16 April 2011.
  14. ^ Ahmed, Khaled. "Word for word: William Campbell versus Zakir Naik". Daily Times (Pakistan). 8 January 2006. Accessed 16 April 2011.
  15. ^ Ghafour, P.K. Abdul. "New Muslims on the rise in US after Sept. 11". Arab News. 3 November 2002. Archived 17 September 2003.
  16. ^ Samuel, Geoffrey; Rozario, Santi. "Contesting science for Islam: the media as a source of revisionist knowledge in the lives of young Bangladeshis" (subscription required). Contemporary South Asia 18 (4): 427–441. December 2010. doi:10.1080/09584935.2010.526196.
  17. ^ "No religion spreads violence: Sri Sri". The Times of India. 22 January 2006. Accessed 7 August 2011. Archived 7 August 2011.
  18. ^ Gidwani, Deepak. "Storm over fatwa against scholar Zakir Naik". Daily News & Analysis. 8 November 2008. Accessed 7 August 2011. Archived 7 August 2011.
  19. ^ "Controversial Islamic preacher speaks at Union". The Oxford Student. 17 February 2011. Accessed 21 July 2011. Archived 21 July 2011.
  20. ^ Ahmad, Syed Neaz. "Justice, peace & unity: The cornerstone of Islam". Saudi Gazette. 31 March 2008. Accessed 7 August 2011. Archived 7 August 2011.
  21. ^ Wajihuddin, Mohammed. "Row over Islamic preacher's remarks". The Times of India. 27 December 2007. Accessed 7 August 2011. Archived 7 August 2011.
  22. ^ Burney, Shahid Raza. "Zakir Naik’s Remarks on Yazid Spark Anger Among Muslims". Arab News. 31 December 2007. Accessed 7 August 2011. Archived 7 August 2011.
  23. ^ Attaullah, Munir. "View: The Muslim predicament II". Daily Times (Pakistan). 21 March 2007. Accessed 21 July 2011.
  24. ^ Das, Sushi. "Islam's gender debate at the fore". The Age. 30 August 2004. Accessed 7 August 2011. Archived 7 August 2011.
  25. ^ Aly, Waleed. "The clash of ignorance". The Age. 6 August 2005. Accessed 7 August 2011. Archived 7 August 2011.
  26. ^ Das, Sushi. "Between two worlds". The Age. 28 July 2005. Accessed 7 August 2011. Archived 7 August 2011. See author profile.
  27. ^ "Row over Islamic preacher". South Wales Echo. 16 August 2006. Accessed 7 August 2011. Archived 7 August 2011.
  28. ^ "Maldivian renounces Islam, gets attacked by Zakir Naik audience". Haveeru Daily. 30 May 2010. Accessed 7 August 2011. Archived 7 August 2011.
  29. ^ "Zakir Naik, Every Muslim Should be a Terrorist, YouTube". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bxk5AAA5FbI. Retrieved 2011-10-27. 
  30. ^ Deshmane, Akshay. "Zakir Naik will fight back as Canada bans him too". Daily News & Analysis. 23 June 2010. Accessed 7 August 2011. Archived 7 August 2011.
  31. ^ Von Drehle, David; Ghosh, Bobby: "An Enemy Within: The Making of Najibullah Zazi". Time. p. 2. 1 October 2009. Accessed 16 April 2011.
  32. ^ "Indian Muslim Cleric Zakir Naik: 9/11 Was Carried Out by George Bush Himself" (video of lecture). Middle East Media Research Institute. (subscription required). referring to various 9/11 Conspiracy Theories Transcript. Archived 7 August 2011.
  33. ^ a b c "Indian preacher Zakir Naik is banned from UK". BBC News. 18 June 2010. Accessed 7 August 2011.
  34. ^ a b Carlson, Kathryn Blaze. "Controversial Muslim televangelist Zakir Naik banned from Toronto conference". National Post. 22 June 2010. Accessed 7 August 2011. Archived 7 August 2011.
  35. ^ Pinglay, Prachi. "Lawyers condemn UK-India Muslim preacher ban". BBC News. 22 June 2010. Accessed 16 April 2011.
  36. ^ Akshay Deshmane "Zakir Naik will fight back as Canada bans him too"
  37. ^ "Legal challenge to ban on Muslim preacher Zakir Naik". BBC News. 19 June 2010. Accessed 16 April 2011.
  38. ^ "The most powerful Indians in 2010: No. 81-90". The Indian Express. 5 February 2010. Accessed 7 August 2011. Archived 7 August 2011.
  39. ^ "The most powerful Indians in 2009: 80-84". The Indian Express. 9 March 2009. Accessed 7 August 2011. Archived 7 August 2011.
  40. ^ Swami, Praveen. "Roads to perdition?: the politics and practice of Islamic terrorism in India". K. Warikoo (ed) (2011). Religion and Security in South and Central Asia. Taylor & Francis. p. 61.
  41. ^ Dhume, Sadanand. "The Trouble with Dr. Zakir Naik". The Wall Street Journal. 20 June 2010. Accessed 7 August 2011. Archived 7 August 2011.
  42. ^ Singh, Khushwant. "Why Muslims lag behind". Hindustan Times. 3 November 2007. Accessed 7 August 2011. Archived 7 August 2011.
  43. ^ Singh, Khushwant. "One man’s belief is another’s shackle". The Tribune. 5 March 2005. Accessed 7 August 2011. Archived 7 August 2011.
  44. ^ Sikand, Yoginder. "Islamic media mogul faces new foes". Daily Times (Pakistan). 10 January 2011. Accessed 20 July 2011.

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