Bangladesh to ban Dubai-based Islamic TV channel

Bangladesh has banned the broadcast of Dubai-based Islamic television channel Peace TV following the recent deadly attack in Dhaka.

The Bangladeshi government banned the channel, which is run by Indian preacher Zakir Naik, because of fears that his ‘provocative’ speeches could radicalise youth.

The decision was taken during a special Cabinet Committee meeting chaired by Bangladesh’ industry minister Aamir Hossain Amu.

The meeting was attended by senior ministers and top security officials, who also decided to monitor sermons given during Friday prayers across the country, the minister was quoted as telling reporters.

Meanwhile Bangladesh’s Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu confirmed that “administrative steps” would be taken to ban the channel.

“Peace TV is not consistent with Muslim society, the Quran, Sunnah, Hadith, Bangladesh’s Constitution, our culture, customs and rituals,” he told online news outlet Bdnews24.

However, preacher Naik has denied allegations that his speeches might have inspired the Dhaka attackers, who killed 22 people at the Holey Artisan bakery on July 1.

“I spoke to Bangladeshi government people. They told me that they do not believe I inspired this Bangladeshi terrorists to do this act of killing innocent people,” he told local media.

Bangladeshi officials had said on Sunday that intelligence agencies were investigating Naik.

“He is on our security scanner… Our intelligence agencies are investigating his activities as his lectures appeared provocative,” Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan told PTI.