Zakir Naik's lawyer denies reports of preacher's arrest in Oman

PETALING JAYA: Dr Zakir Naik's lawyer denies that the preacher has been arrested in Oman and would be deported to India.

Akberdin Abdul Kader, instead, said that Zakir's presence in Oman was welcomed and greeted with an official reception in the country's capital, Muscat, Malay-language daily Sinar Harian reported.

According to Akberdin, Zakir had told him that news of his arrest was fake news.

Meanwhile, Zakir said, in a Facebook post, that he had arrived safely in Oman on Wednesday (March 22) to deliver a series of religious talks.

A Times of Oman report said that Zakir had been invited by the country's Endowment and Religious Affairs Ministry to give the series of talks.

Sinar Harian reported that a statement by the ministry had said that Zakir's first lecture was scheduled for Thursday (March 23).

The daily also reported that there was another lecture by Zakir scheduled for Saturday (March 25) at the Sultan Qaboos University.

On Thursday night, Indian English-language channel News18 reported that Zakir had been arrested in Oman and would be deported to India.

Zakir is a permanent resident of Malaysia and resides in Putrajaya.

He is wanted for questioning in India for alleged money-laundering and other illegal activities.