Social media was ablaze with reports on Sunday morning regarding Dr. Zakir Naik’s passing at the age of 58. Although there has been much conjecture, the news has not been formally confirmed by any trustworthy source.
Despite Dr. Naik’s global recognition, he continues to face criticism in India, with heightened speculation surrounding his life and whereabouts. In July, false reports circulated about his arrest, and currently, fresh and unsubstantiated rumors are circulating regarding his demise.
However, a comprehensive investigation into these claims has debunked them as baseless fabrications. As of December 2023, Dr. Zakir Naik is alive and in good health. No credible evidence supports the rumors surrounding his death, indicating that the misinformation is likely a deliberate and malicious attempt to orchestrate a death hoax without any factual basis.
In 2016, India implemented a ban on the Islamic Research Foundation (IRF), led by Dr. Zakir Naik, and initiated a First Information Report (FIR) against him on allegations of propagating hate speech. Accusations surfaced in the Indian media, claiming his involvement in inciting Muslim youth and terrorists both in India and abroad to engage in acts of terrorism.
Since 2017, Dr. Naik has been residing in Malaysia. Earlier this year, Oman extended an invitation to him as a ‘state guest’ to deliver two religious lectures in Muscat during Ramzan. Reports indicated that India urged Omani authorities to apprehend and extradite him back to India.
