Dhaka [Bangladesh], November 5 (HBTV): The interim government of Bangladesh has decided not to permit Indian-origin Islamic preacher Zakir Naik to enter the country. The decision was taken during a meeting of the Law and Order Core Committee held at the Home Ministry’s conference room in the Secretariat on Tuesday.
According to Prothom Alo, which quoted government sources, the meeting discussed the potential implications of Naik’s visit. ‘If Zakir Naik comes to Bangladesh, there will be a huge crowd. A large number of law enforcement personnel will be needed to control the situation. At present, there is no opportunity to deploy such a large number of forces for this purpose,’ the report said.
The meeting was chaired by Home Affairs Advisor Lieutenant General (Retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury.
The decision follows a recent announcement by Spark Event Management, which had claimed on Facebook that it would bring Zakir Naik to Bangladesh at the end of November. The company stated, ‘Spark Event Management is the sole authorised organiser of Dr. Zakir Naik Bangladesh Tour 2025. The event is being held with the permission of the Government of Bangladesh and in collaboration with the concerned authorities.’
Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Foreign Ministry said on Sunday that it had taken note of remarks by the spokesperson of India’s Ministry of External Affairs regarding the possible visit of a prominent Islamic scholar to Bangladesh.
‘We have taken note of the remarks made by the spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs of India regarding the possible visit of a prominent Islamic scholar or cleric to Bangladesh,’ Foreign Ministry spokesperson SM Mahbubul Alam told ANI.
He added, ‘We also believe that no country, including India, should provide shelter to any accused or fugitive individuals from another country.’
(ANI)