Controversial Islamic Preacher Zakir Naik Arrives in Nigeria on Sultan’s Invitation
Zakir Naik, a prominent Islamic preacher wanted by the Indian counterterrorism agency for alleged involvement in inciting religious “disharmony or feelings of enmity, hatred” in his teachings, arrived in Nigeria on Monday, following an invitation from Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto.
Mr. Naik’s presence in Nigeria has raised concerns due to his controversial teachings and the potential impact on the already complex religious landscape in the country. Nigeria has faced issues of religious violence and the activities of Boko Haram terrorists, primarily a Muslim extremist group. His scheduled four-day lectures in Sokoto, Abuja, and Ilorin have sparked worries that they may inflame religious tensions or provoke insecurity.
Zakir Naik gained notoriety when one of the suspects in the 2016 Dhaka attack, which led to the tragic deaths of 22 people, claimed that the preacher’s teachings had motivated him to commit violence.
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Late Monday, Mr. Naik uploaded photos on social media, showing him alongside officials of the Nigerian Immigration Service and Air Force, captioning them as “Interaction with Muslim Immigration.” This sparked criticism from many citizens who pointed out that Nigeria is a religiously diverse nation, not exclusively Muslim.
In addition to allegations related to his teachings, Indian authorities have charged Zakir Naik with money laundering, claiming he used $28 million to purchase lavish properties in India and employed relatives as intermediaries to handle illicit funds. He has vehemently denied these allegations.
India’s Enforcement Directorate (ED) investigated Mr. Naik’s Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) and alleged that it received funds from dubious or suspicious sources. These funds were purportedly used to buy luxury properties in India, construct extravagant homes in Dubai, and finance events where he delivered what were deemed “provocative speeches.” The Indian ED also reported suspicious transactions between his UAE and Indian bank accounts.
Notably, Zakir Naik has been banned from entering the UK due to comments that were considered unacceptable and harmful to public good, as stated by then Home Secretary Theresa May in 2010. He was also prohibited from giving public speeches in Malaysia in 2019 due to incendiary racial remarks.
As of March 2023, India’s Ministry of External Affairs was actively working with Omani authorities to extradite Zakir Naik, who is wanted in multiple cases in India.
It’s essential to note the controversy surrounding Mr. Naik’s presence in Nigeria, as his teachings have been banned or restricted in several countries due to concerns about their potential to incite violence and hatred towards other religions. His visit raises questions about the wisdom of providing a platform for a figure with such a contentious background in a country grappling with religious extremism and security challenges.
The Sultan of Sokoto, who invited Zakir Naik, has not yet responded to inquiries regarding his awareness of the controversial preacher’s legal status.
