India Will Do All That Is Required To Bring Zakir Naik To The Country: MEA

Zakir Naik, who fled India in 2016, has been accused in several cases of spreading communal disharmony through his hate speeches.

Outlook Web Desk

Updated on: 25 March 2023 2:25 am

Zakir Naik, Indian Islamic televangelist and preacher.

The External Ministry Affairs on Thursday said that it will take all the required steps to bring back Islamic radical preacher Zakir Naik back to India have him face justice.

MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi made the remark days after Naik arrived in Oman as a "state guest". The controversial preacher will be delivering his first lecture on "Holy Quran is a Global Necessity" in the country.

Addressing a weekly press conference, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, "Zakir Naik is an accused in numerous cases in India. He is a fugitive from justice. We have taken up the matter with the government of Oman and its authorities."

He further said, "As regards the extradition part, I will check on this. I think the list of countries we have an extradition treaty is already in the public domain and Oman is not on the list. However, I do need to reconfirm."

Naik has been accused in several cases of spreading communal disharmony through his hate speeches. Zakir Naik fled India in 2016 and moved to Malaysia and has reportedly secured permanent residency there. The Indian government declared his Islamic Research Foundation unlawful in 2022.