Dr. Zakir Naik

11 JUNE : Dr Zakir Naik's Press Release (before the ban)

21 JUNE : IRF Press Release, in Urdu. Britain makes Mockery of Freedom of Expression

22 JUNE : IRF Press Release

22 JUNE : IRF Press Release (after the ban), with Background Briefing

Dr. Zakir Naik’s ban by UK government

Dr. Zakir Naik files legal case in British high court;
to approach Ministry of External Affairs for support

Mumbai, June 22, 2010: Dr. Zakir Naik, eminent Islamic scholar and international personality, has initiated legal proceedings against the UK government’s exclusion order, banning him from entering Britain. Dr. Naik is also approaching the Minister of External Affairs, Mr. S.M. Krishna, for the ministry’s support in revoking the order.

Notably, the exclusion order by the British Home Office, UK Border Agency, was issued just two days before Dr. Naik’s visit to UK on last Friday, June 18. He was to begin a peace-speaking-tour between June 25 to 27 to audiences at three places - the Sheffield Arena, London's Wembley Arena and the LG Arena in Birmingham's NEC. Post the exclusion order by the British Home Office, Dr. Naik’s 5 years UK visa issued in 2008 and valid till 2013, was cancelled and notice issued banning him from entering the UK.

Dr. Naik has initiated legal recourse in the high court of London with a view to appeal against the exclusion order, terming the reasons of ban as untrue and misrepresentation of the truth. He is also approaching the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, the Prime Minister’s Office and the British Embassy for revoking the ban.

Says Dr. Naik, “I have spoken out on numerous occasions against all and any acts of terrorism and have unequivocally condemned acts of violence, including 9/11, 7/7 and 7/11 (serial train bombing in Mumbai) incidents. I’ve said on several occasions that these are cowardly acts and completely unjustifiable by any standards. But I believe that the UK government has acted on recent press reports in the UK, which has portrayed me as a “preacher of hate” and a “terror backer”. That is not just a warped view but totally unjustified impression of my work. It appears these sensational headlines have been based on some of my quotes that have been either used out of relevant context or are completely wrong. It is clear from many of my talks that in Islam, terrorism and killing of innocent civilians is completely forbidden and as such I have unequivocally stated several times that no Muslim should be a terrorist.”

“However, what is more surprising is that the UK government, which has so many resources to its disposal, has acted on falsehoods of the media and without cross checking the facts. Even a basic investigation into my speeches would have revealed the truth that I stand for peace and harmony, and am strictly against terrorism of any kind.” added Dr. Naik.

Apparently, the ban is the latest in the series of UK government’s "naming and shaming" policy introduced a couple of years ago, a law that some sections of the UK media have termed as an impediment to free speech. The fact remains that Dr. Zakir

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