Govt decides not to allow Zakir Naik’s visit before elections
Visit may be considered after polls
The government has decided not to allow prominent Islamic preacher Zakir Naik to visit Bangladesh for now, citing security and logistical challenges ahead of the national elections.
The decision was made at a meeting of the law and order core committee held at the home ministry in the secretariat yesterday (4 November), chaired by Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, reports Prothom Alo.
According to ministry sources, an organisation had invited Zakir Naik to attend programmes in Dhaka on 28–29 November, with plans to hold events outside the capital as well.
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The meeting discussed that the preacher's visit could attract massive gatherings requiring extensive deployment of law enforcement personnel, which is not feasible at the moment as the administration is focused on election duties.
"It was decided that he may visit after the national elections, but not before," said an official familiar with the discussion.
The meeting was also attended by Public Works Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan, Special Envoy to the Chief Adviser on International Affairs Lutfey Siddiqi, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Abdul Hafiz, Inspector General of Police Baharul Alam, and senior officials from various law enforcement agencies.
Naik left India in 2016
Naik, 60, the Indian-born Islamic preacher and orator, is known for his lectures on comparative religion. He left India in 2016 after being accused of money laundering and promoting hate speech. He has been living in Malaysia since then.
His television network, Peace TV, was banned the same year. Naik has since obtained permanent residency in Malaysia and claims he will not return to India "until justice is assured."
