The prominent Muslim preacher, Dr Zakir Naik, who is wanted by Indian authorities has been granted permanent residency in Malaysia.
Last September, Dr Naik made a public appearance at the Putra Mosque in Malaysia’s administrative capital of Putrajaya, where the prime minister and his cabinet members regularly worship.
The 52-year-old televangelist has sparked controversy in recent times with his assertive and uncompromising style of preaching and debating.
Bangladeshi authorities have blamed Dr Naik for “radicalising” the perpetrators of the Dhaka cafe attack in July 2016, where 20 hostages were killed.
Last week, the Indian National Investigation Agency (NIA) prepared charges against the medical doctor, claiming that he was inciting terrorism and “promoting enmity and hatred between different religious groups through public speeches and lectures.”
Dr Naik has rejected the allegations made against him by the Bangladeshi and Indian authorities, stating that he has a long and consistent record of speaking out against terrorism and the killing of innocent people.
In a recent interview with an Islamic channel, Dr Naik said he was being targeted by the Indian government because of the popularity of his preaching.
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