Indian Gov't Revokes Zakir Naik's Passport
Jakarta. The government of India revoked Indian Islamic televangelist preacher Zakir Naik's passport, after its National Investigation Agency, or NIA, recommended the move on the basis that he was "not cooperating with them in the investigation pending against him," the Times of India reported on Wednesday (19/07).
In November, the agency declared Naik's organization – the Islamic Research Foundation – as an "unlawful association."
As president of the foundation, Naik was accused of "promoting enmity and hatred between different religious groups in India through his public speeches and lectures on various platforms."
The agency also said Naik has been inciting Muslim youths and terrorists in India and overseas to commit terrorist acts. He is banned from entering a number of countries, including the United Kingdom and Canada.
Naik has been reportedly traveling overseas, to countries such as Saudi Arabia and Malaysia, after leaving India last year.
Earlier in March, Naik also visited Indonesia where he met with Vice President Jusuf Kalla. The meeting was criticized by Indonesians on social media, arguing that Kalla as a government official should not associate himself with a hardline preacher.
However, Kalla's press secretary Mohamad Oemar said at the time that the vice president met Naik in his capacity as chair of the Indonesian Mosque Council, or DMI, and not as the vice president.
During his visit to Indonesia, Naik reportedly delivered a series of speeches in cities across the country.
On Thursday, The Times of India reported that Naik's passport was revoked by the regional passport office in Mumbai, making him a stateless person.
The revocation is expected to limit his movements, as the NIA seeks to have him appear before an Indian court or before the agency.
The NIA sought to have Naik's passport revoked since June 29.
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