Zakir Naik condemns France attacks, denies encouraging terrorism

"I have been giving public lectures for last 25 years but never encouraged terrorism," controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik told TNN.

The preacher has been in news for past few days, since several reports are claiming that he is the inspiration for one of the terrorists involved in the Dhaka cafe attack.

"My statements have been taken out of context and doctored," Naik said in his press conference via Skype. He was talking to the reporters from Medina.

The press conference was started with a condemnation of the recent attacks in Nice, France.

"I will be giving pen drives that have answers to all allegations against me. Look at it with an unbiased mind, you'll see I'm innocent," Naik added.

"Suicide bombing is not permitted in Islam where innocent people are killed. It is wrong," he said.

For several years now, Naik’s sermons are telecast on Peace TV, which is run by Islamic Research Foundation, run by Naik himself.

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