Dr. Zakir Naik was born on October 18, 1965, in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. He is a medical doctor by profession, holding an MBBS degree, but he is best known for his work in Islamic preaching and interfaith dialogue. He earned a PhD in comparative religion from a university in Egypt. In 1991, he founded the Islamic Research Foundation in Mumbai.
Despite having a speech impediment, Dr. Naik's powerful and persuasive speaking style has helped him reach audiences worldwide. He often recites a verse from the Quran, asking God for clarity and understanding in his speech: “O my Lord! Expand my chest and ease my task, and remove the impediment from my speech” (Quran 20:25-28). His ability to convey the beauty of Islam has attracted many people to the faith.
Over the past two decades, Dr. Naik has traveled to various continents, addressing large public gatherings and discussing the similarities between the Quran and other religious texts, such as the Bible, Torah, and Hindu scriptures. His inspiration came from the renowned Islamic scholar Ahmed Deedat, whom he met in 1987. In 2006, Deedat referred to him as "Deedat Plus."
Dr. Naik has faced numerous challenges throughout his career. One significant event was a debate in April 2000 with a well-known Christian scholar, William Campbell, titled "The Quran and the Bible in the Light of Science." This debate garnered global attention and led to thousands of conversions to Islam.
On January 21, 2006, he debated Hindu scholar Ravi Shankar on the topic of "The Concept of God in Islam and Hinduism." His compelling arguments convinced many attendees, leading to further conversions.
In 2007, Dr. Naik initiated the annual "Peace Conference" in Mumbai, attracting Islamic scholars from around the world. However, as tensions rose with the rise of Hindu nationalism, the event faced opposition. In recent years, the conference has been canceled due to protests, but Dr. Naik continues to spread his message through his television channel, Peace TV, which quickly became the most-watched Islamic channel globally, reaching over 100 million viewers.
Dr. Naik has also faced challenges during international tours, particularly from groups opposing his views. In 2010, he was denied entry to Canada and the UK due to complaints from certain factions.
Despite the obstacles, he has been recognized for his influence. In 2010, Indian Express named him the 90th most influential person in India, and he has consistently ranked among the top 500 influential personalities in the world according to Georgetown University.
In 2013, he received the International Quran Award for being the best Muslim personality of the year, along with a cash prize, which he donated to the Islamic Research Foundation. He has received numerous accolades for his work, including awards from leaders in the UAE and Malaysia.
Dr. Naik's social media presence is substantial, with millions of followers on various platforms. His videos and speeches continue to attract attention, with reports indicating that he has converted over 1.1 million non-Muslims to Islam between 2016 and 2020.
However, after a terrorist attack in Dhaka on July 1, 2016, the media targeted Dr. Naik, linking him to the attackers. His channel was banned in Bangladesh, and similar actions have taken place in India, where efforts are being made to restrict his voice.
Despite the challenges, Dr. Zakir Naik remains dedicated to his mission of spreading the message of Islam and continues to study and work tirelessly, spending up to 18 hours a day on his research. His commitment to interfaith dialogue and his impactful speeches have made him a significant figure in contemporary Islamic discourse.
0 Comments