Will India raise the issue of Zakir Naik with Malaysia? Questions raised before the meeting of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and PM Modi

New Delhi: Efforts are being made to bring Zakir Naik to India ever since he/she fled to Malaysia in 2017. Zakir, who calls himself a religious leader and a peace ambassador, is an enemy of India. Everyone knows that his/her messages of peace spread more unrest and violence. India has once again got such an opportunity when it can push for the extradition of Zakir Naik to India. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is currently on a visit to India. he/she can hold bilateral talks with PM Modi. In such a situation, it is possible that India may take the initiative to extradite Zakir Naik. On the other hand, BJP leader Subramanian Swamy’s daughter Suhasini Haider has claimed that the Ministry of External Affairs ignored the question of raising this issue.What claim did Suhasini Haider make
Suhasini Haider, a diplomatic affairs editor at The Hindu by profession, has claimed that the Ministry of External Affairs has sidestepped the question on the issue of Zakir Naik. She also cited her news published in The Hindu with the caption on her x handle. Suhasini Haider wrote that Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim arrived for bilateral talks with PM Modi on Tuesday, the issue of Zakir Naik’s extradition is still unresolved, the Ministry of External Affairs sidestepped the question of raising the issue. She further wrote that in 2019, PM Modi had raised the issue of Mr. Naik’s extradition with the then Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir when they met on the sidelines of a conference in Russia but Mahathir later rejected India’s request. Lack of evidence was also cited by Interpol for the Red Corner Notice.

Seen in Qatar two years ago, rumours of his/her death also spread
Two years ago, in November 2022, Zakir Naik was seen at the opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup. Then the Ministry of External Affairs had objected to this and questioned the rulers of Qatar. Qatar had said that they had not invited Zakir. he/she was not officially invited. Not only this, last year in 2023, there was also a rumor of Zakir Naik’s death. Later these reports were denied as bogus nonsense. he/she is alive and is living in his/her house in Malaysia.

How the noose tightened on Zakir Naik
In 2019, ED filed a chargesheet against Zakir Naik in the terror funding case. In this chargesheet, ED said that it has so far identified assets worth Rs 193 crore belonging to Zakir Naik, out of which assets worth more than Rs 50 crore have been seized. ED also claimed that between 2003-04 and 2016-17, Zakir Naik had received Rs 64 crore from anonymous sources.

India had raised the issue of this messenger of peace with Malaysia several times after 2017. It has been revealed in Malaysia that he/she roams around freely there. The Center had banned his/her organization IRF in 2016 itself. Later it was extended. It is alleged that Zakir Naik used to take funding through the foundation and it was used to promote fundamentalism.

When did Zakir Naik leave the country
Zakir Naik is on India’s most wanted list. Zakir has his/her own organization called Islamic Research Foundation. he/she is accused of inciting violence in a particular community through his/her speeches. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) have declared him/her wanted. Zakir is accused of giving provocative speeches, money laundering and promoting terrorism. Zakir fled to Malaysia 7 years ago. he/she now has Malaysian citizenship as well.