India has promised to give us more information on Zakir Naik, says Bangladesh minister

Bangladesh Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu on Friday reiterated that certain preaching's of controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik were not connected with either the Quran and the Hadees and maintained that the recent terror attacks in his country were carried out by home grown terrorists.

Stating that India has promised to provide more information on Naik to the Government of Bangladesh, Inu told ANI in an interview that "So many of our religious Ulemas and Alems have objected to the teachings and preaching's of Zakir Naik. Bangladesh's position is very clear, we have stopped broadcasting of Peace TV."

"We have asked the Indian authorities about Indian national Zakir Naik to give us more information. They said they will give it," he added.

Amid reports that Naik's preaching inspired the five militants to open fire on people inside the Holey Artisan Bakery in the upscale Gulshan area of Dhaka on July 1, killing 29 people, the Maharashtra Government had asked the Mumbai Police to probe Naik's past speeches and see if any of them could have inspired the youth to join terrorist organisations.

The Mumbai Police also conducted a joint inquiry with other probe agencies into the functioning of Naik's Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) to scrutinise the finances it has received from various parts of the world.

The Home Ministry also initiated an inquiry against an NGO run by Naik for alleged violation of the Foreign Contributions (Regulation) Act.

In all, nine Italians, seven Japanese, one Indian, one Bangladeshi American and two Bangladeshis were killed in Dhaka.

Terrorist group ISIS claimed responsibility behind the attack which was clearly rejected by Bangadeshi authorities, citing it was from the home grown terrorist organisation.

On the progress of the investigation to the attack, he said, "The status of the Gulshan and Sholakia attacks is that we have unearthed and found what organisation they belong and what we have found is that belong to domestic organisation of Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh(JMB) and there is no connection with whatsoever with any foreign terrorist network."

He added the Gulshan and Sholakia attacks were totally planned and executed by home grown terrorist networks.

The Sholakia attack came days after when three suspected assailants attacked the Eidgah where thousands had gathered to offer Eid prayers.