Allowed into UK, the preacher who backs Bin Laden

A radical Islamic preacher who has publicly declared his support for Osama bin Laden is to be allowed to lecture in Britain.

Despite being called a ' hatemonger' and a 'truth twister', Zakir Naik has been granted a visa to appear at conferences in London and Sheffield.

The decision to allow the Indian citizen into Britain is the first test of the coalition Government's professed desire to get tough on radical Islamic teachers.

While in opposition, David Cameron repeatedly attacked the government for allowing radical Islamists into the country.

Now, as Prime Minister, he is under pressure to reverse a Home Office decision to allow Dr Naik into the country later this year.

Though relatively unknown in the West, Dr Naik has built up a large following in his native India, where he regularly appears on the satellite channel Peace TV.

Although he projects a rather high-minded academic air, intelligencesources have claimed the former medical doctor is a ' hatemongering truth twister'.

The 44-year-old has also claimed that Western women make themselves-more susceptible to rape' by wearing revealing clothing.

Yesterday a source told the Sunday Times: 'Zakir Naik is a nasty man who makes al-Qaradawi [a radical Islamic cleric refused entry to the UK in 2008] look like a participant at a teddy bear's picnic.'

In a recent lecture Dr Naik said he was 'with' Osama bin Laden over the attacks on 'terrorist America' and claimed the 9/11 hijackings were co-ordinated by former U.S. president George Bush.

The preacher has spoken in the UK before, appearing at a conference in Cardiff four years ago. At the time, his visit was strongly criticised by Tory MP David Davies.

He said: 'Here is a man who believes people who change their religious beliefs should face the death penalty. Some of the rest of his views are, I think, arguably in breach of various laws aimed at keeping public order.'

Although Dr Naik says he does not support specific acts of terrorism, his publicly viewable speeches reveal sympathy with terrorist actions.

It has also been reported that Najibullah Zazi, suspected of plotting suicide attacks in the U.S., was inspired by Dr Naik. And Mumbai train bombings suspect Rahil Abdul Rehman Sheik is said to have spent time at Dr Naik's Islamic Research Foundation.

The Border Agency said last night it reserves the right to revoke someone's visa if it considers they are planning to promote extreme views.

SOURCE