Controversial Islamist preacher and television evangelist Zakir Naik, who is wanted in India in cases related to terrorism and money laundering, is seeking Malaysian citizenship, Press Trust of India has reported. Naik has been changing his base quite frequently, shuttling between the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Southeast Asian countries since the National Investigation Agency approached Interpol for the issuance of a Red Corner Notice against him.

Hindus in Malaysia, mostly Tamils, have been protesting against Naik, demanding authorities to not provide him a safe haven in the country. The chairman of HINDRAF (Hindu Rights Action Force) in Malaysia, P Waythamoorthy, has called for the UN Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee to advise Malaysia to deny Naik a safe haven in the country and to revoke his permanent resident status.

Read: Tell Our Government To Keep Naik Out, Malaysian Hindus To UN

However, Hindu groups and temples have come under pressure from authorities in Malaysia to not oppose Naik’s extended stay in the country. According to Free Malaysia Today, a temple in Malaysia’s Butterworth city came under police scanner for planning to organise an event against Naik. Now, possibly under pressure, the temple’s chairman has said the gathering was being held to call on Hindus to reaffirm their vows for peace. He also stated that the event was in no way related to HINDRAF.

Naik has also attacked Hindu groups in Malaysia. In a video that went viral on social media last month, Zakir is heard criticising HINDRAF, asking why do Hindus have the right to criticise an Islamic mufti in a Muslim-majority country. “Malaysian Muslims should file cases against the Hindus,” he was heard saying.

Naik fled India soon after authorities initiated action against him following claims by terrorists in Bangladesh that his speeches had inspired them to carry out an attack on a cafe in Dhaka in which 22 people, including an Indian, were killed. Naik’s Islamic Research Foundation has also been declared an outlawed outfit under the anti-terror law for its terror activities. It is known to have provided financial assistance to radicalised youths and promoted religious conversion.

HINDRAF

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