New Delhi: Controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik has backed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s quest to improve relations between the Hindu and Muslim communities.
In an interview to India Today, Zakir Naik said: "If PM Modi is trying to build harmony between Hindus and Muslims, I am all for it.”
He said the Modi government hadn’t bothered him. He, however, expressed his reservation about the media.
"The present government hasn't bothered me so far. I have my reservations with the Indian media," he added.
"I have heard many allegations against me in the Indian media...as far as being afraid is concerned... I am not afraid at all. So far, there has been not a single Indian government authority which has called me. Just because the media has labelled allegations against me ...I am not going to come to India for a media trial,” he said.
Zakir Naik is in Saudi Arabia. Recently, he had said that he wouldn’t return to India this year. He had maintained that his speeches had not created enmity between the two communities.
Two of the Dhaka cafe attackers who slaughtered 20 hostages are reported to have drawn inspiration from Naik’s speeches.