'Thousands of Mosques Will Be Taken': Zakir Naik Incites Muslims with False Claims About India’s Waqf Bill (Video)

Dr. Zakir Naik, the jihadi Islamic preacher who fled India to escape charges of money laundering, hate speech, and radicalizing youth, is back with another dangerous lie. Naik is now warning Muslims that the Waqf (Amendment) Bill will steal “thousands of mosques, madrasas, and lakhs of acres of land” from them. But this claim? It’s nothing more than an attempt to incite fear and provoke unrest among Muslims.

Naik’s pattern of using Islamic victimhood narratives to manipulate public opinion is nothing new. He’s been banned from several countries, including the U.K. and Canada, for his pro-jihadist statements. Known for defending Osama bin Laden, Naik once said, “If bin Laden is terrorizing America… I am with him. Every Muslim should be a terrorist.” Naik’s Islamic ideology has inspired several terrorists, including those linked to the ISIS attacks in Dhaka. His network, Peace TV, is banned across multiple countries, like the U.K. and Canada, for supporting violent jihad.​

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill: Reality vs. Naik’s Lies

Naik’s claim that the Waqf (Amendment) Bill is a plan to steal Muslim properties is not only false, but it deliberately distorts the bill’s intent. The reality? The Waqf Boards, which are Muslim-run organizations managing land for religious and charitable purposes, have been involved in widespread abuse for years. These boards have claimed public and government lands—often illegally—under the guise of religious charity, resulting in land grabs that have harmed non-Muslim communities.

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill introduces key reforms to stop the misuse of Waqf properties. One of the most significant amendments limits the power of Waqf Boards to unilaterally declare properties as Waqf without proper verification. Under the new bill, a Collector will be responsible for verifying land claims, especially disputed properties, to prevent Waqf Boards from misappropriating government or public lands​. The bill also abolishes Section 40, which previously allowed Waqf Boards to collect information about properties they believed to be Waqf without sufficient oversight​. Moreover, non-Muslim and women members will be included in Waqf Boards, ensuring a more diverse and transparent governance structure​.

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, which is currently under review by a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), will be discussed further from September 18 to 20, 2024. The bill is a reform aimed at transparency and accountability. It seeks to stop the misuse of Waqf properties and end these unlawful land claims by Waqf Boards. The bill is a measure to prevent Land Jihad—a term used to describe the systematic seizure of public lands by Islamic organizations. Rather than targeting Muslims, the bill is designed to protect the integrity of the land and ensure that Waqf properties are managed responsibly​​.

Naik’s Tactics: Accuse Others of What You Are Doing

By portraying Hindus as the aggressors, Naik is using a classic Islamic and left-wing strategy—accusing others of the very actions that Islamic organizations are guilty of. The Waqf Boards have been seizing land, often without proper legal process, and Naik’s lies are an attempt to distract from this corruption. His pattern of creating false victimhood is a dangerous tool meant to incite violence, further divide communities, and fuel Islamic terrorism in India and across the globe.

Naik’s Dangerous Legacy

Naik’s radical influence goes far beyond his speeches. He has been accused of funding forced conversions to Islam, using money from foreign sources like Saudi Arabia. Investigations have shown that his organization, the Islamic Research Foundation (IRF), played a significant role in radicalizing Indian youth, many of whom have been linked to Muslim terrorist organizations like ISIS​. His speeches have been used as recruitment material by extremists across South Asia.

Zakir Naik’s Peace TV was banned in India, Bangladesh, and other countries after it was discovered that the Dhaka café attackers had been inspired by his teachings. Despite living in self-exile in Malaysia, Naik continues to spread Islam and violent jihad, undermining global efforts to combat terrorism and radicalization.

Naik’s Endgame: Undermining India’s Stability

Beyond spreading lies and inciting violence, Naik’s ultimate goal is to destabilize India from within, fostering divisions between Muslims and non-Muslims. His hope is that Muslims will eventually dominate Hindus and other non-Muslims in India, bringing the country under the rule of Islamic law. This aligns with his jihadist agenda, as seen through his support for violent extremism and efforts to radicalize Muslim youth across the region. His messaging seeks to weaken India’s social and political fabric, making it more vulnerable to internal threats and Islamic terrorism.

The Bigger Picture

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill is a step toward ensuring that Islamic charitable organizations like the Waqf Boards are held to the same standards of accountability as any other institution. Naik’s attempt to frame this as an attack on Islam is not just false—it’s a deliberate effort to mislead Muslims and incite hatred against non-Muslims. His fear-mongering is a direct threat to social cohesion and peace, serving only to further his Islamic agenda.

Naik’s message is clear: twist the truth, play the victim, and provoke violence. But the facts remain: the Waqf Bill is about stopping corruption and illegal land grabs, and Naik’s fear-mongering is yet another example of his dangerous manipulation.

Sources:

• Zakir Naik’s Pro-Jihadist Statements and Peace TV Ban
• (Includes statements supporting Osama bin Laden, 9/11 conspiracy theories, and his network’s ban across countries)
• Zakir Naik’s Links to the Dhaka Café Attack and Radicalization
• (Inspiration for terrorists and the role of IRF in radicalizing youth, including ISIS recruits)
• Jihad Watch on Zakir Naik’s Funding of Forced Conversions
  (Accusations of funding forced conversions and links to Saudi money, as well as radicalizing efforts)
• Waqf Amendment Bill Overview and Reality
  (Explanation of the Waqf Boards’ misuse of properties and how the Bill aims to stop illegal land grabs)