Various news agencies in India have reported that the Islamic preacher, Dr Zakir Naik, who is wanted by the Indian authorities, may be arrested in Oman and sent back to the country.
According to a report by Berita Harian, Indian intelligence agencies have shared that the Omani authorities have been asked to arrest Zakir, who lives in Malaysia, when he visits Oman today (March 23) to deliver a religious lecture.
The Indian embassy in Oman is currently working with the Omani authorities to arrest and deport Zakir in accordance with their local laws. The Indian embassy may also send a legal team for follow-up action after the arrest.
There is a strong possibility that Omani officials could detain the controversial preacher upon his arrival and then hand him over to the Indian authorities, while also enforcing a restraining order.
Zakir apparently received an invitation to deliver 2 religious sermons in Oman, the first of which is scheduled for today (March 23) and the second will be on Saturday (March 25).
Though, it is unsure on whether the preacher will proceed with his visit as news of his possible arrest has already been published online.
He previously eluded Indian authorities since his name first surfaced in terrorism-related cases
In 2016, the terrorists involved in the Dhaka blasts claimed to have been influenced by one of the preacher’s speeches, and in 2019, he was banned from speaking in Malaysia after he made racist comments against Hindus and Chinese in Malaysia.
He was allegedly interrogated for hours regarding this matter.
Zakir is wanted in India in cases involving racial hatred, terrorism financing, money laundering and hate speech. His Peace TV network of the Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) was also declared illegal in India in 2016, and banned in Bangladesh, Canada, Sri Lanka and the UK for apparently peddling hate propaganda.
Do stay tuned for more updates.
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