An
Indian Muslim preacher has been banned from entering the UK for his
"unacceptable behaviour", the home secretary says.
Zakir
Naik, a 44-year-old television preacher, had been due to give a series of
lectures in London and Sheffield.
Theresa
May said that visiting the UK was "a privilege, not a right".
The
home secretary can stop people entering the UK if she believes there is a
threat to national security, public order or the safety of citizens.
That
includes banning people if she believes their views glorify terrorism, promote
violence or encourage other serious crime.
However,
somebody cannot be banned just for having opinions that other people would find
offensive.
Ms May
said: "Numerous comments made by Dr Naik are evidence to me of his
unacceptable behaviour.
"Coming
to the UK is a privilege, not a right and I am not willing to allow those who
might not be conducive to the public good to enter the UK.
"Exclusion
powers are very serious and no decision is taken lightly or as a method of
stopping open debate on issues."
This is
the first person who has been excluded from the UK since Ms May became home
secretary last month.
Mr Naik
is based in Mumbai (Bombay) where he works for the Peace TV channel.
The
BBC's Sanjiv Buttoo says that he is recognised as an authority on Islam but
also has a reputation for making disparaging remarks about other religions.
Peace
TV itself describes him as "a medical doctor by professional training...
and a dynamic international orator on Islam and comparative religion".
"Dr
Naik clarifies Islamic viewpoints and clears misconceptions about Islam using
the Koran," the channel's website says.
A
spokesman for Mr Naik said it was "deeply regrettable" the UK
government had "bowed to pressure" from certain groups to exclude
him.
He said
Mr Naik had been holding talks in the UK for 15 years and the decision to bar
his entry was disappointing.
Click here to Subscribe news feed from "IslamicB", so that you do not miss out anything that can be valuable to you !!
0 comments:
Post a Comment