Naik media briefing now at Mazagaon
Controversial preacher Zakir Naik, facing multiple probes over alleged provocative speeches, will address the media through video calling service Skype today, his aide said. “Zakir Naik will address the press conference via Skype around 10 am,” he said in a statement. The press meet will take place in a small hall in Mazagaon, the statement said.
The 50-year-old Mumbai-based televangelist, who is currently abroad, was slated to interact with the media on Thursday but cancelled his press briefing, citing pressure from management of the venue where it was organised.
“The management of the Mehfil hall in Agripada, around 11 pm on Thursday, told our team at the venue that they cannot allow the press conference to go ahead. Given no choice, our team removed arrangements made for the meet and left by around midnight,” Naik's aide said. The preacher's media interaction was first scheduled earlier this week at Trident Hotel, but the venue was subsequently changed to World Trade Centre. Later, it was shifted to Mehfil hall. The organisers of Naik's press briefing had yesterday claimed Mumbai Police have instructed top hotels in the city not to provide space for his conference, a charge they later retracted.
The 50-year-old Mumbai-based televangelist, who is currently abroad, was slated to interact with the media on Thursday but cancelled his press briefing, citing pressure from management of the venue where it was organised.
“The management of the Mehfil hall in Agripada, around 11 pm on Thursday, told our team at the venue that they cannot allow the press conference to go ahead. Given no choice, our team removed arrangements made for the meet and left by around midnight,” Naik's aide said. The preacher's media interaction was first scheduled earlier this week at Trident Hotel, but the venue was subsequently changed to World Trade Centre. Later, it was shifted to Mehfil hall. The organisers of Naik's press briefing had yesterday claimed Mumbai Police have instructed top hotels in the city not to provide space for his conference, a charge they later retracted.
The sermons of Naik are under the scanner of the state and the Central agencies in India. The radical preacher has denied promoting terrorism in anyway.
