All eyes are on the premier football competition taking place in Qatar, but Dr. Zakir Naik, a renowned Islamic scholar, also made news when he accepted an invitation to speak at FIFA World Cup side events.
Some old videos of Indian scholars began spreading online as the event gained notice. Fact-checking discovered that a 2016 video is being circulated again after the prominent televangelist’s name began to trend on social media.
A presenter at the Qatari state-owned sports channel shared Dr Zakir’s clip, saying “Preacher Sheikh Zakir Naik is present in Qatar during the World Cup and will give many religious lectures throughout the tournament.”
Zakir Naik, an Indian preacher, has been living in exile in Malaysia since 2017, when the Narendra Modi-led Indian government unjustly accused him of supporting terrorism and money laundering.
Qatar asks Peace TV anchor to speak at various events during the most renowned tournament in the world in addition to prohibiting alcohol for World Cup spectators at venues.
According to reports, a number of Islamic proverbs were also on display to spread the word about the religion to the crowds who travelled from all over the world to the Arab nation to see their favourite players in action.