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. ----- By New Age Islam Staff Writer 24 November 2022 Islamic preacher Zakir Naik ---- 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 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism