Qatar says no invitation extended to Zakir Naik for FIFA World Cup: MEA

New Delhi: Qatar has denied giving any invitation to Zakir Naik amid reports of controversial Islamic preacher giving religious lectures at the FIFA World Cup. Indian fugitive preacher Zakir Naik faces charges of money laundering and hate speech in India. Qatar has conveyed that no invitation was extended to Indian fugitive Zakir Naik to attend the FIFA World Cup and his being wanted in India has been raised with Qatar government. Addressing the weekly media briefing, Ministry of External Affairs spokers person, Arindam Bagchi said, “The issue of Zakir Naik being wanted has been raised with Qatar. Qatar has told India that no invitation was extended to Zakir Naik to attend the FIFA World Cup 2022.” 

Some media reports had said that Qatar, which is hosting the FIFA World Cup, has invited Zakir Naik to deliver Islamic sermons.Bagchi said the issue of Zakir Naik`s extradition has also been raised with the Malaysian government. Naik fled to Malaysia in 2016, just before the National Investigation Agency started a probe against him.

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Zakir Naik faces charges of money laundering and hate speeches in India. Earlier in March, Home Ministry had declared Zakir Naik-founded Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) an unlawful association and banned it for five years.

The issue of Zakir Naik being wanted has been raised with Qatar: MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi pic.twitter.com/H9f23k8gul
— ANI (@ANI) November 24, 2022

The MHA notification stated that the speeches of Zakir Naik, founder of the IRF, were objectionable as he has been extolling known terrorists.

(With ANI inputs)