By Muslim Mirror Staff
Despite media claims that Dr. Zakir Naik will be deported from Oman to India, the Islamic preacher delivered a video message indicating that he had arrived safely in Oman.
Dr. Naik issued a video message on social media stating that he had arrived safely in Oman. Naik is said to have landed in Oman as a “state guest.” The preacher will offer his inaugural lecture, “The Holy Quran is a Global Necessity.”
In the video, he congratulated the government of Oman and stated that he had received a warm welcome.
Zakir Naik's Oman Tour – 2023#Oman #Tour #Muscat #Ramadhaan #Ramadhan #Ramadan #Zakirnaik #Drzakirnaik pic.twitter.com/PJ52wYvW3l
— Dr Zakir Naik (@drzakiranaik) March 22, 2023
According to a Times of Oman report, Dr. Naik has been invited to Oman by the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs (MERA), a government department, for a lecture series.
Insh’Allah see you all soon at the lectures.
#أهلا_وسهلا_بالداعية_ذاكر_نايك#ZakirNaik I #ZakirNaikInOman pic.twitter.com/kbpUr6puM0
— Mohammed Al Rahbi I مُحمد الرحبي (@MohammedAlRahbi) March 22, 2023
Omanis welcomed this visit through social media, appreciating the efforts of the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs and those in charge of this visit, according to the report.
According to an FPJ report, India’s security–diplomatic establishments are keeping an eye on the situation to make diplomatic efforts with authorities in Oman to explore options for Naik’s detention there, then subsequent deportation/extradition to India to stand trial in pending cases in courts.
A senior Indian security official told FPJ, “Diplomatic efforts will be made to convince Oman to detain Zakir Naik for further action within the existing legal framework. But, if he is Oman’s guest there, as per claims, complications can arise, putting a spanner in the efforts.”
In April 2017, a Mumbai NIA court issued a non-bailable warrant (NBW) on Naik, who was wanted by the agency for his suspected complicity in a terror case. In September 2019, a Mumbai special court issued a new NBW against Naik, who was then in Malaysia, in the ED’s suspected money laundering investigation.
Following their investigation, the NIA filed a chargesheet against Naik, his NGO Islamic Research Foundation (IRF), and a company called Harmony Media Private Limited in October 2017 (HMPL). The charge sheet accused Naik of inciting animosity and hostility among India’s many religious communities through his public speeches and lectures. The ED’s money-laundering investigation purportedly revealed that Naik had set up a few fictitious companies.
The Centre imposed a five-year ban on Naik’s NGO, IRF, in November 2016 under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, which was extended in November 2021.
In 2019, Naik informed the media that he believes in India’s legal system, but that it was better earlier.
