Controversial Indian Islamic preacher, Zakir Naik, Indian Islamic preacher banned in his country for alleged terrorism and money laundering arrived Nigeria on Monday on the invitation of sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar.
The Islamic cleric has come under attack by many Nigerians for referring to some officers of Nigerian Air Force he met at the Abuja airport, as “Muslim Air Force”
On arrival to Nigeria, he took pictures of himself with some airforce and immigration officers.
“Interaction with Muslim Airforce”, he captioned one of the photos taken with the NAF officers at the airport.
Many Nigerians took to their X handles to condemn him for referring to the officers as “Muslim airforce” and warned him against inciting and irresponsible comments.
Naik is a Muslim scholar known for his views which are said to be extreme.
In 2006, Naik declared support for Osama bin Laden, the most wanted terrorist at the time saying he supports him
“as far as he is terrorising America”.
He added further that “every Muslim should be a terrorist”.
In June 2010, the Islamic cleric was banned from entering Britain by former UK home secretary, Theresa May, for “numerous comments” and “unacceptable behaviour”.
In 2016, the Indian government declared Naik wanted for allegedly spreading hate and for money laundering.
The same year, India’s counter-terrorism agency filed a complaint against him for promoting religious intolerance and “other unlawful activities”.
Naik is the president of the Islamic Research Foundation in India and founder of the Peace TV channel which, according to its website, promotes “truth, justice, morality, harmony and wisdom for the whole of humankind” through “presenting Islam and removing misconceptions about Islam”.
The foundation was, however, banned from India to “safeguard national security”, according to the Delhi high court.
Zakir Naik, Indian Islamic preacher banned in his country, visits Nigeria on invitation of sultan of Sokoto
