Qatar's Love for Extremist Ideology Is Not New
Qatar
Gave Taliban The Permission To Open Its Political Office In Its Territory
Main
Points:
1. It funded
the ISIS during 2014 civil war.
2. It promoted
Taliban's extremist ideology in its land.
3. Zakir Naik
is the face of extremist ideology.
4. Naik
justified suicide bombing.
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By
New Age Islam Staff Writer
24 November
2022
Islamic preacher Zakir Naik
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The news
that the controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik was invited to attend the
Fifa World Cup and deliver lectures on Islam during the games came as a
surprise to many. This had not happened in the past. Sports is a secular
activity and a soccer or sports event had not been used as a platform to
propagate a religious ideology. His participation in the events for a purely
religious purpose is all the more objectionable, at least from the point of
view of non-Muslims because he represents an extremist ideology. He has
justified suicide bombings, a tool of the terrorist organisations, in 'special
circumstances'. Since the Taliban and other extremist organisations think that
they operate in special circumstances, their terrorist activities get support and
justification from Zakir Naik.
Qatar's
invitation to Zakir Naik to attend the games and deliver Islamic lectures there
should be seen as a move inspired by Taliban. Qatar has been close to Taliban
and it was the first to give it the permission to open its political office on
its soil. It was also instrumental in finalising the peace agreement between
the US and Taliban. Therefore, the hand of Taliban in Zakir Naik's
participation in the games cannot be ruled out.
India
government has justifiably objected to Naik's presence during the games in Doha
as his presence will lend credibility to the ideology of hate and violence
and,also it will make a bad precedence for future sports events. Christian
priests and evangelists will be invited to a sports event in Europe and Hindu
priests may be invited to deliver speeches on Hinduism or Hindutva in sports
event held in India. This trend will vitiate the atmosphere and the spirit of
pluralism and harmony.
Zakir Naik
is wanted by Indian authorities since 2016 for alleged money laundering and
inciting extremism through hate speeches. He is known for his supremacist
thoughts and his contempt for other religions. India has also sent a request to
Malaysia for his extradition. Ironically, he is one of the 16 Islamists banned
in Malaysia where he is living now. He has also been banned in UK and Canada.
Zakir
Naik's Peace TV is also banned in many countries including Bangladesh as it
allegedly propagates extremist ideology.
Central
Minister of India, Hardev Singh Puri has said to the Qatar government that they
could invite him anywhere but inviting him in an event of which he has no
knowledge is absurd. The BJP has even appealed to the Indian Football
association and Indian football lovers to boycott the Qatar games. BJP spokesman
Rodrigues said that at a time when the world has been grappling with terrorism,
offering a platform to Zakir Naik was like giving a platform to terrorists. The
Soccer World Cup was a global event and people from all over the world arrive
at Doha to watch the games. At such an important sports event, allowing Zakir
Naik to deliver speeches was like giving him an opportunity to spread hatred
and disharmony. He said that Zakir Naik was a vocal representative of
fundamentalism and radicalism. Dr Naik has allegedly inspired extremists in
Bangladesh. Mr Rodrigues said Dr. Zakir Naik himself is no less a terrorist.
Qatar
government's inclination towards Dr Zakir Naik may be because of his radical
thoughts which Taliban espouses. After the demise of Qaradawi, a vacuum has
been created in the Islamic circles and there are efforts by Islamic scholars
to fill that vacuum. Qatar's move may be inspired by the idea of projecting Dr
Naik as his successor as he has similar ideas. And Doha World Cup was
considered the most opportune moment for this purpose. Through him the
extremist and supremacist ideology which is followed by Taliban, ISIS and other
extremist organisations will get acceptance among the world Muslims.
The
self-appointed guardian of the world Muslims, the Al Qaida appealed to the
Muslims of the world not to join or follow the FIFA event because to them it
was immoral. It accused Qatar bringing immorality and homosexuality into the
country. They said that the world cup was being hosted in Qatar in order to divert
people's attention from the oppression of Muslim countries. The statement of
the Al Qaida shows how ill informed and narrow minded they are. They call a
sports event immoral not being aware of the fact that millions of Muslims of
the peninsula have thronged the stadiums and do not share their obscurantist
views. It is to be noted that Qatar has banned LGBTQ and banned alcohol in the
stadiums. They are perhaps unaware of the hadiths that encourage sports.
The Muslim
states, including Qatar have not been able to promote sports among its
citizens. Female sportspersons are discouraged and even barred from
participating in world sports events. Even sportsmen do not get required
infrastructure, funds and training opportunities so as to make themselves
capable and qualified for international sports events. These Islamic countries
fare poorly in Olympics or regional sports events because of the lack of
sporting culture in their countries. Ulema in these countries issue fatwas
against sportswomen participating in sports events. But they use a global
sports event like Doha Soccer World Cup for religious purposes because they
don't have the true sporting spirit.
URL: https://newageislam.com/radical-islamism-jihad/qatar-extremist-ideology-zakir/d/128474
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