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Preacher told to stay away
AN ISLAMIC preacher who once called on all Muslims to become terrorists has been barred from coming to Britain to address a peace conference in Sheffield - after the Home Secretary said his behaviour was "unacceptable".
Zakir Naik, the third most popular spiritual guru in his native India, has developed a global following on satellite TV channel Peace TV. He was due to speak at the Al Khair Peace Convention at Sheffield Arena on Friday.
Organisers of the free event, due to be a full house, are now considering an appeal against the Exclusion Order, issued by Home Secretary Theresa May.
She decided to bar Dr Naik after concern was raised about some of his past comments. He once said of Osama Bin Laden: "If he is terrorising the terrorists, if he is terrorising America the terrorist, the biggest terrorist, every Muslim should be a terrorist."
Dr Naik has also claimed women make themselves 'susceptible to rape' by wearing revealing clothing.
Supporters say his remarks have been taken out of context and that his overall message is of peace and love.
In a statement, promoters of the peace convention, the London-based Al-Khair Foundation, said: "Thousands of his fans in the UK and millions of his well wishers all over the world have been left dejected by the move, on the basis of misquotations taken from his lectures out of context. The Peace Convention aimed to create better awareness."
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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