Mumbai: After dodging press conferences three times in a row, televangelist Zakir Naik on Friday condemned the attack in France and said ‘suicide bombing where innocents are killed is haraam (prohibited).’ He, however, added that many scholars say ‘it is permitted as a tactic of war.’

The Mumbai-based preacher has come under scanner after the Dhaka terror attack, where two of the terrorists were believed to have been inspired by Naik’s lectures. His spiritual channel Peace TV was subsequently banned in Bangladesh.

Addressing the media through Skype, the Mumbai-based preacher said he would comply with any investigation by the government authorities but he was ‘not available for any media trial’.

When questioned about the clips where he does not explicitly condemn suicide bombings, Naik blamed media for misinterpreting his speeches. “My answers are altered and misguide people. Those who do that should be held responsible” said the 50-year-old Zakir Naik

He further said, “I challenge you to show me any unedited answer of mine where I have not condemned suicide bombing of the kind that is happening.”

Naik also mentioned that he had not been approached by any government authority so far.

“Knowingly I have never met any terrorist, but if some people stand next to me take photographs, I smile. I dont know who they are” said Naik.

The Muslim community has a fractured opinion on Naik. While some follow his speeches ardently, organizations like Darul Uloom have issued a fatwa against him. “I am a messenger of peace. I do not criticise any sect of Islam, I may disagree on interpretations” said Naik.

During an hour-long press conference, the Islamic preacher constantly blamed the media for misinterpreting his speeches and carrying an agenda against him.

Naik also challenged a prominent prime time anchor for a debate to assess who was ‘more beneficial to the society’, the anchor or Naik himself.