Father of the youth who recently joined the ISIS says many youths were brainwashed into following Salafist doctrines; 12 named in FIR
Youths allegedly radicalised by employees of controversial scholar Zakir Naik’s Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) had bonded together in Kasargod, Kerala, and called themselves ‘mujahids’ (those engaged in jihad).
Dr Zakir Naik, founder of Islamic Research Foundation (IRF)
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According to the FIR — accessed by mid-day — filed by Abdul Majid Abdul Kader, whose son, Ashfaq (25), fled the country with his wife and 18-month-old daughter to join the ISIS on June 2, the IRF’s guest representative officer, Arshid Qureshi alias Arshi, Rizwan Khan — also linked to the foundation — and 10 others radicalised many youths in Padanna village in Kasargod.
Ashfaq lived with his family in Padanna, but helped his father run a lodge in Mumbai Central. He left the country to join the ISIS along with 20 youths from Kerala.
Extremist views
The radicalised youths allegedly formed a group called ‘Mujahid’ and harboured fundamentalist, ultra- orthodox views vis-à-vis Salafism. They even changed their physical appearance to align with the doctrines of Salafism; they wore only long gowns called kandura and grew long beards. They then began teaching their restricted view of Islam to others, said Kader in his complaint.
Salafi mosques
Kader claimed that Ashfaq came in contact with these youths at a Salafi mosque in the Sunni-dominated village. There are four Salafi mosques in the village as opposed to 15 Sunni ones. An Islamic scholar, Haneef, at a Salafi mosque allegedly brainwashed them into dedicating their lives to jihad. After locals got wind of Haneef’s nefarious plan, they drove him out of the village.
Radicalised youths
In the FIR, Kader has named 12 persons for radicalising youths. Many of the youths are set to have joined the ISIS, along with their families.
The Mumbai crime branch is probing the case against IRF employees registered under sections 10, 13 and 38 of the UAPA and 120-B of the Indian Penal Code.
Qureshi and Khan are in the custody of the Kerala police. The Mumbai crime branch will leave for Kerala soon to make inquiries with those associated with the radicalised youths as well as the accused. Haneef, is absconding, and Abdul Rashid Abdulla — a teacher with Kerala-based Peace International School run by the IRF — is believed to have escaped to a country in West Asia.
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