MUMBAI: Controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, facing multiple probes over his alleged provocative speeches, today said he has no plans to return to India this year even as he claimed his remarks were “blown out of context” and that he has never inspired any terror activity.
The televangelist, who had cancelled press meets thrice citing pressure from authorities of the venues where they were planned, had a lengthy interaction with media via Skype from Saudi Arabia, rubbishing the charge that his sermons had inspired terror activity, including the Dhaka attack.
Stating that he is a “messenger of peace”, Naik said, “Killing innocent people is prohibited in Islam and I condemn all terrorist attacks” and that he is a victim of media trial with his statements being blown out of context.
Referring to the footage of some of his speeches shown by media following the Dhaka carnage, he said, “Indian media is running a trial against me because of unverified reports. Half sentences being shown, clips being doctored and statements being shown out of context to malign me.”
“It is unethical for the media to not take my answers on face value and doubt me. There are two thousand sentences in which I condemned terrorism…There may be ten sentences in which one may take out a double meaning…Videos are being doctored for ulterior motives…,” he said.(Agencies)
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