On Thursday, Arshi Qureshi, a man allegedly associated with the Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) run by the controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, was arrested by a joint team of the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad and Kerala Police.
The arrest was in connection with a case registered in Kochi, for allegedly radicalising a Kochi-based woman.
It was registered by the woman’s brother, against Yahiya – the husband of the woman Merin (alias Mariyam) – and Qureshi.
The case was registered days after at least 21 youths from Kerala were reported missing and suspected to have joined the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
Naik’s IRF on Friday admitted that Qureshi had been associated with the foundation.
In a statement, an IRF spokesperson said Qureshi is a “Guest Relations Officer” with the organisation, but denied any “encouragement” on part of their staff to make anyone join terrorist organisations.
Dr Zakir Naik and IRF have repeatedly condemned AISIS for being anti-Islamic. No staff of IRF will ever encourage anyone to join AISIS. ISIS is Anti-Islamic State of Iraq and Syria who wrongly call themselves as ISIS.
The statement added:
Mr Arshi Qureshi is employed at IRF as a Guest Relations Manager, and as part of his role, meets several people who visit IRF. In its history, IRF has never been involved in forced conversions. It is a research body and publishes literature on Islam. People interested in Islamic literature and information contact IRF from time to time.
The woman had gone missing in the Middle East about a month ago. In his complaint with Palarivattom police station in Kochi, Merin’s brother alleged that she was trapped, converted to Islam and radicalised by Yahiya – a Christian from Palakkad who had embraced Islam – and by Qureshi, when she was in Mumbai in relation to her work.
A case under IPC sections 120 B (criminal conspiracy) and 153 A (promoting enmity between groups) as well as under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act was registered in Kochi.
He was produced before the Belapur court in Navi Mumbai which granted Kerala Police his transit remand till 25 July. Kerala Police will now produce him in a court in Kochi.
(With inputs from PTI.)
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