Zakir Naik to stay longer in UAE

An aide of Naik’s yesterday told TOI that the Islamic preacher had also cancelled his conference with the media scheduled to be held on Tuesday. Naik was yet to call on several meetings in the UAE and would not leave for Mumbai for a few more weeks, he said. The Bharatiya Janata Party-led government in Maharashtra has ordered a probe into Naik’s teachings, speeches and literature following allegations that he was inspiring terrorism. Shiv Sena, ally to the Maharashtra government, has also demanded stringent actions against the Islamic preacher at par with the treatment given to Hindu activists. Naik could face actions if his speeches were found objectionable, reports TOI, adding that the Indian Union Muslim League had come out in his support. Meanwhile, Naik went on social networking sites urging people to stand by him and help him combat the “media trial” he is being subjected to since the terror attack at Holey Artisan Bakery.