Zakir Naik

Zakir Abdul Karim Naik (born 18 October 1965) is an Indian Islamic da'i and orator who focuses on comparative religion. He is the founder and president of the Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) and Peace TV. He is a well-known figure in the Islamic world. Unlike many Islamic preachers, he quotes from various religious scriptures in his speeches which he delivers in English rather than Arabic or Urdu, wearing a suit and tie instead of the traditional robe. Naik does not claim to be a follower of any one school of thought in Islam, but he is considered to be most closely associated with the Salafi school of thought. In 2016, while Naik was abroad, the BJP government led by Narendra Modi accused Naik of "propagating hate speech" and money laundering, banned the Islamic Research Foundation, and banned broadcasting "Peace TV". Naik denying all charges did not return to India and became a permanent resident of Malaysia. Naik is currently a wanted fugitive in India. The National Investigation Agency attempted to issue an Interpol red notice for his arrest and was refused thrice due to insufficient evidence. Naik's Peace TV is banned in India, Bangladesh, Canada, Sri Lanka, and the United Kingdom under hate speech laws.