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AIMIM slams Zakir Naik's denigration of other faiths, his media trial

All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) has criticised televangelist Dr Zakir Naik's perspectives on other religion and his media trial.

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While expressing displeasure at controversial Islamic televangelist Dr Zakir Naik's "denigration" of other faiths, the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leaders have, at the same time, slammed the preacher's media trial.

Naik has been accused of inspiring some of the attackers in the Dhaka terror attack through his teachings. He is under the scanner of multiple investigating agencies.

"We do not agree with denigration of other religions. That is not Islam. Islam teaches (us) to coexist peacefully," said former journalist and AIMIM MLA from Aurangabad, Imtiaz Jaleel.

"Zakir Naik tries to show good things about Islam... (this) doesn't mean you denigrate other religions," said Jaleel, adding that no religion taught its adherents to disrespect other faiths. "The right to profess, preach and propagate religion is a fundamental right under the Constitution. But (this is) not at the cost of denigrating other religions," he said.

Jaleel is one of the two AIMIM legislators in Maharashtra. The party is led by Hyderabad-based Owaisi brothers – Lok Sabha MP Asaduddin Owaisi and his firebrand MLA brother Akbaruddin.

Jaleel said if the investigating agencies have evidence against Naik, they should take action against him. "Unfortunately, the role of investigating agencies has been (taken over) by some television channels. Investigating agencies are mute spectators," he added.

"There should be no compromise on terrorism," Jaleel said, adding that connecting terrorism to any religion was wrong. "We don't know in which speech he said what that inspired terrorists. It is for the agencies (to investigate). Naik has been delivering lectures across the globe for 20 years. If the lectures were controversial, why was no action taken all these years? why were they waiting for Bangladesh to happen?" Jaleel questioned.

"With so much speculation going on, it is better (for Naik) to clear the air," urged Jaleel. He noted that the Naik controversy had divided the Muslim community.

Besides, slamming the arrest of Muslim youths by investigating agencies in terror-related cases on charges that later fell through in the courts, Jaleel said these people were facing a media trial without the law taking its due course.

"We want some accountability as far as investigating agencies are concerned," he demanded, pointing out how the lives of the eight Muslim youths, who were arrested by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) in the 2006 Malegaon blasts but discharged by the courts later, were ruined. The AIMIM also sought action against the officers who arrested these men.

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