Every Muslim should be a terrorist…

Zakir Naik is an Indian‐born Islamic preacher and public speaker who founded the organisation Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) and the TV channel PeaceTV.

He is known for his public lectures comparing Islam with other religions, as well as for media appearances.

He left India around 2016 after accusations of hate speech and is currently living abroad.

What he is reported to have said

• Media and legal records quote Naik as saying words to the effect of: "Every Muslim should be a terrorist. A terrorist is a person who causes terror…" and then defining the meaning as someone who scares/offends anti-social elements (thieves, rapists, etc.), not innocent people.

His stated clarification/defence

• Naik has repeatedly argued he was quoted out of context and that by "terrorist" he meant someone who instils fear in anti-social elements, not someone who harms innocent people. He has also publicly said Islam forbids killing innocents.

How authorities and media treated the remark

• Indian authorities cited this and other speeches when taking action against his organisation (IRF) and when justifying bans or investigations; the Indian Home Ministry’s tribunal documents explicitly mention the allegedly objectionable claim.

Public reaction & consequences

• The phrase has been widely reported, criticised, and used by critics as evidence that his rhetoric can be inflammatory. Governments and broadcasters in multiple countries have restricted his broadcasts or refused him entry, citing concerns about inflammatory speech and possible links to radicalisation.