Jan 23, 2015

Zakir Naik

Biography

Zakir Naik was born in Mumbai, Maharastra, India. He attended St. Peter's High School in Mumbai. Later he enrolled atKishinchand 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][non-primary source needed]His wife, Farhat Naik, works for the women's section of the IRF.[8]
In 1991 he started working in the field of Dawah, and founded the IRF.[9] Naik says he was inspired by Ahmed Deedat, an Islamic preacher, having met him in 1987.[10] (Naik is sometimes referred to as "Deedat plus", a label given to him by Deedat himself.)[10][11] 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the educated Muslim youth who have become apologetic about their own religion and have started to feel the religion is outdated".[12] He considers it a duty of every Muslim to remove perceived misconceptions about Islam and to counter what he views as the Western media's anti-Islamic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 in the United States.[13] 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.[14] Some of his articles are published in magazines such as Islamic Voice.[15]
Naik is the founder of the Islamic International School in Mumbai.[16]

Lectures and debates

Naik has held many debates and lectures around the world. Anthropologist Thomas Blom Hansen has written that Naik's style of memorising the Quran and Hadithliterature in various languages, and his related missionary activity, has made him extremely popular in Muslim circles.[12] 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 neighbourhoods, and on the Peace TV channel, which he co-produces.[17][18] Topics he speaks on include: "Islam and Modern Science", "Islam and Christianity", and "Islam and secularism".
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".[19] On 21 January 2006 Naik held an inter-religious dialogue with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in Bangalore about the concept of God in Islam and Hinduism.[20] In February 2011 Naik addressed the Oxford Union via video link from India.[21] 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 speakers.[22]
Naik argues that scientific theories were prophesised by the Quran. For example, he says certain verses of the Quran accurately describe embryologicaldevelopment.[23]

Recognition

Views

Biological evolution

Naik has said that the theory of evolution is "only a hypothesis, and an unproven conjecture at best".[28] According to Naik, most scientists "support the theory, because it went against the Bible – not because it was true."[29]

Apostasy

Naik has said that not all Muslims who convert from Islam should necessarily receive death sentences, but that those who leave Islam and then "propagate the non-Islamic faith and speak against Islam" should be put to death in an Islamic rule.

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. The thing is that if he is terrorizing the terrorist, he is following Islam. Whether he is or not, I don’t know, but you as Muslims know that, without checking up, laying allegations is also wrong."[32] When Time hinted that this remark could have inspired Najibullah Zazi's terrorist activities, Naik insisted: "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".[32]
In 2010, Naik said that he had been quoted out of context regarding the 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."[33]
In a lecture delivered on 31 July 2008 on Peace TV, Naik commented on the attacks of 11 September: "it is a blatant, open secret that this attack on the Twin Towers was done by George Bush himself".[34]

Propagation of other faiths in Islamic states[edit]

Naik says that propagation of other religions within an Islamic state is forbidden while he appreciates people of other religions allowing Muslims to freely propagate Islam in their country. Naik explains this by saying that, for example, mathematics teachers must teach that 2+2=4 and not 2+2=3 or 5. Likewise, Naik argues, “regarding building of churches or temples, how can we allow this when their religion is wrong and when their worshipping is wrong?”[35]

Other countries[edit]

Visit to Australia and Wales[edit]

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.[36] He said the more "revealing Western dress" makes women more susceptible to rape.[37] Sushi Das of The Age commented that "Naik extolled the moral and spiritual superiority of Islam and lampooned other faiths and the West in general", further criticising that Naik's words "fostered a spirit of separateness and reinforced prejudice".[38]
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.[39]

2010 exclusion from the UK and Canada[edit]

Naik was denied entry into the United Kingdom and Canada in June 2010.[40][41] 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 behaviour".[40] 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.[42] Film producer Mahesh Bhatt supported Naik, saying the ban constituted an attack onfreedom of speech.[43] It was reported that Naik would attempt to challenge the ruling in the High Court.[44] His application for judicial review was dismissed on 5 November 2010.[9] Naik was forbidden from entering Canada after Tarek Fatah, founder of the Muslim Canadian Congress, warned MPs of Naik's views.[41]

Visit to Malaysia in 2012[edit]

Naik delivered four lectures in Malaysia during 2012. The lectures took place in Johor Baru, Universiti Teknologi MARA in Shah Alam, [45] Kuantan and Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur.The former Prime Minister of Malaysia, Mahathir Mohamad, prominent figures and several thousand people attended the lectures at different places despite protest by the members of a banned group, HINDRAF.[46] The organizers of Naik's speeches said their purpose was to promote harmony among people of various religions.[47]

Reception, Awards, Titles and Honors[edit]

Naik was ranked 89 on The Indian Express's list of the "100 Most Powerful Indians in 2010".[48] He was ranked 82 in the 2009 edition.[49] According to Praveen Swami, Naik is "perhaps the most influential Salafi ideologue in India".[50] Sanjiv Buttoo says he is acknowledged as an authority on Islam, but is known for making negative remarks about other religions.[40] Sadanand Dhume writes that Naik has a "carefully crafted image of moderation", because of his gentle demeanour, his wearing of a suit and tie, and his quoting of scriptures of other religions.[51] He is also listed in the book "The 500 Most Influential Muslims" under honourable mention, in the 2009,[52] 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013/2014 [53] editions.[54] In July 2013, Naik was named as the Islamic Personality of the Year, announced by the 17th Dubai International Holy Quran Award (DIHQA).[55][56]
Year of award or honourName of award or honourAwarding organisation or government
2013Islamic Personality of 2013[57]Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for World Peace
2013Distinguished International Personality Award[58]Agong, Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah, Head of state of Malaysia
2013Sharjah Award for Voluntary WorkSultan bin Mohamed Al-Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah
2014Insignia of the Commander of the National Order of the Republic of The Gambia[2]President of The Gambia Yahya Jammeh
2004Honorary Doctorate (Doctor of Humane Letters)[2]University of The Gambia
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