Indian fugitive Zakir Naik not invited to FIFA, Qatar tells India
New Delhi, November 23: In the midst of the uproar over fugitive Zakir Naik's invitation to the FIFA World Cup in Doha, Qatar has told India through diplomatic channels that Naik was not invited, said sources.
Earlier, Union Minister Hardeep Puri stated that "India would convey its views on the matter in the 'strongest possible terms' to the authorities concerned."
According to media reports, Qatar has officially invited Zakir Naik to deliver Islamic sermons at FIFA. Back home, a faction of the ruling BJP has called for a FIFA boycott. However, India's Vice President, Jagdeep Dhakar, did attend the World Cup opening ceremony.
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Naik, a televangelist lives in Malaysia, where he moved from India in 2016 and he reportedly got permanent residency there. India is seeking his extradition.
Zakir Naik is a wanted man in India and faces charges of spreading hate in India and also money laundering.
Ministry of Home Affairs declared Zakir Naik's Islamic Research Foundation unlawful last year. Naik is accused of promoting hate, and disharmony, and his speeches are seen as objectionable as he has been extolling known terrorists promoting conversion and terrorism.
- ANI
