Nearly 100 NGOs from Pune come together to support controversial speaker Zakir Naik. Two meetings held in kondhva and Bhavani peth to discus action plan. Express photo Nearly 100 NGOs from Pune come together to support controversial speaker Zakir Naik. Two meetings held in kondhva and Bhavani peth to discus action plan. Express photo

Several Muslim groups, NGOs and citizens from the city have joined hands to support Dr Zakir Naik, whose speech reportedly inspired one of the five Bangladeshi militants involved in the July 1 terror attack in Dhaka.

The Maharashtra Action Committee (MAC) and Kul Jamaat E Tanzeem held two separate meetings on Sunday in Kondhwa and Camp area of Pune, in which members of at least 25 organisations participated.

On Tuesday evening, a joint meeting of members of all these organisations was conducted for deciding an action plan to raise support for Naik.

WATCH VIDEO: Dhaka Attack: Zakir Naik Says He Did Not Influence Anyone

Azar Tamboli, general secretary of the MAC, said, “We do have differences on certain issues with Zakir Naik, but the way he is being targeted now is wrong. There is no evidence about his involvement in any terror activities. Putting a ban on him is against the freedom of speech and expression. So we have decided to support him.”

“The NSA says Wahhabi Islam is not good for India. This is a wrong statement. Majority of the Muslims follow Wahhabism, which does not promote terrorism. Comparing Sufism and Wahhabism is an attempt to create a divide

between the Muslim community, which is already facing major problems, particularly on issues like terrorism. Many innocent Muslims were arrested by investigation agencies in terror cases. In such a scenario, we have decided during the meeting to run a campaign for uniting all Muslims,” he said.

Watch Video: What’s making news

“We would also be gathering support from more NGOs and individuals, including the progressive socialist groups. We have spoken to retired Justice B G Kolse Patil for seeking his support. We are likely to stage a protest coming Friday against the media trial and false campaign against Naik. We would launch a massive campaign on social media too and awareness would be created in this regard within the Muslim community and even among non-Muslims,” he added.

Jahangir Mulla, of Chhatrapati Shivaji Muslim Brigade, said, “Let the government take action if there is evidence against Zakir Naik. But when there is no evidence of his involvement in any terror act, media should stop its

campaign against him. He is a scholar and has received the King Faisal International Prize and other international awards. He speaks against the IS terrorists.”

Professor G A Shaikh said, “I support Zakir Naik in my individual capacity. I am upset with the way some news channels are targeting him without much study of his speeches.”

Meanwhile, the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) condemned the “media trial” of Naik.

A press release issued by AIMIM MLA Syed Imtiyaz Jaleel stated, “AIMIM respects and follows the rule of the land and feels nobody can be pronounced guilty unless the court gives its judgment by following the due process of law.”

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