Bangladesh bans Islamic channel over attack controversy

By Mainul Islam Khan

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AA) – Bangladesh's government banned the broadcasting of a popular religious TV channel on Sunday after claims its founder had inspired a recent deadly attack in the capital Dhaka.

Senior minister Amir Hossain Amu confirmed the ban, which would also affect other unauthorized channels he did not name, after heading a special cabinet meeting on Sunday – the first working day after the Eid ul-Fitr holiday.

Peace TV was put in the spotlight by Bangladeshi media after reports that attackers involved in the killing of 22 people, including 18 foreigners, at a Dhaka cafe on July 1 were inspired by the channel's founder Zakir Naik.

Bangladeshi news website bdnews24.com reported after the attack that Bangladeshi intelligence believed Naik, who runs the India-based Islamic Research Foundation, was closely followed by one of the attackers.

Naik has denied the claims, arguing that even if the attackers watched his sermons it did not mean they were adapting his teachings. He has used his Facebook page, which has 14 million followers, to urge people publicly defend him against the accusations.

Naik has been denied entry by the UK and Canada and has often been criticized for controversial remarks, especially about other religions.