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Peace TV

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Peace TV
CountryUnited Arab Emirates
Broadcast areaWorldwide (except Bangladesh)
Programming
Language(s)English
Picture format1080i (HDTV)
Ownership
OwnerZakir Naik (Founder)
Key peopleZakir Naik
Sister channels
  • Peace TV Urdu
  • Peace TV Bangla
  • Peace TV Albanian
  • Peace TV Chinese (defunct)
History
Launched21 January 2006
Links
Websitepeacetv.tv

Peace TV is a non-profit Emirati satellite television network that broadcasts free-to-air programming. It is one of the world's largest religious satellite television networks.[5][6] On 21 January 2006, Zakir Naik created the network, which is based in Dubai.[7]

The network has broadcast all over the world.[8][9][10] Naik regards the network as a 'edutainment' channel.[11] Peace TV was also available free-to-air on the LiveStation satellite television provider.[12]

On the basis of hate-speech laws, Naik's Peace TV was banned from broadcasting in India, Bangladesh, Canada, Sri Lanka, and the United Kingdom.[13][14][15] Despite the ban, Peace TV has reached 200 million viewers.[16] Nevertheless, as of August 2019, Peace TV's app was still available in the banned countries, including India, via a free app in the Google Play Store that had been downloaded more than 100,000 times.[17]

History

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Peace TV was founded on 21 January 2006. One of the first network broadcasts was Zakir Naik's debate on the "Concept of God".[18] The debate was broadcast live on Peace TV.[18] It was launched on Arabsat's BADR-3 satellite in October 2006. In June 2009, Peace TV English became the first religious satellite channel to broadcast in HD resolution.[19] The same month, Pakistan launched Peace TV Urdu.[20] In 2009, the Islamic Research Foundation International donated £1.25 million to the station.[21] Peace TV Bangla was launched on 22 April 2011 in Bangladesh for Bengali-speaking viewers.[22][23] Peace TV Chinese began broadcasting Islamic programming in China in October 2015.[24][25] Peace TV Albanian, Europe's first Peace TV channel, was launched on 20 August 2009 from Pristina, Kosovo.

After receiving reports that the station was broadcasting hate speech, the UK broadcasting regulator Ofcom investigated it in 2011.[21]

In 2012, Ofcom ruled the channel broke broadcasting rules which states offensive comments should be justified by the context. It was ruled on the following statements which were broadcast on 8 March 2012 on the Dare to Ask programme:[26]

"One group of scholars, they say that if a Muslim, if he becomes a non-Muslim [inaudible] he should be put to death. There is another group of scholars who say that if a Muslim becomes a non-Muslim and propagates his new faith against Islam then he should be put to death." "I tend to agree more with the second group of scholars, who say that a Muslim, if he becomes a non-Muslim and propagates his new faith against Islam, that is the time this penalty is applied."

In response, Peace TV stated that they were simply repeating the teachings of the Quran.[26] The channel has been broadcasting in India since 2006, but it failed to register with India's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in 2009, making it illegal. Hathway ceased broadcasting on the channel.[27] Zakir Naik denies ownership of the station and claims it is run by a Dubai-based company.[28] Peace TV was banned in India in 2012 because the government claimed it broadcast malicious anti-Indian content.[29] Naik has denied any connection to such claims and hopes that the ban will be lifted.[30][2]

Following the Dhaka terror attack, there was a heated debate in Bangladesh about whether or not to broadcast Peace TV.[31][32] On 10 July 2016, the Government of Bangladesh blocked the channel after consulting with its internal security services.

Following the Easter Sunday attacks in Sri Lanka in April 2019, which killed at least 250 people, the Sri Lankan cable TV operators were ordered to delete Peace TV as part of an inquiry into Islamic extremism.[33]

As a result of such events, Peace TV argues that their comments have been taken out of context multiple times.[34][35]

Awards and nominations

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In January 2013, Peace TV was nominated for the Responsible Media of the Year award at the British Muslim Awards.[36]

Controversies

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A major controversy erupted after the Dhaka terror attack in July 2016 when the investigations revealed that a terrorist involved in the brutal killings followed Naik's page on Facebook and was influenced by his speeches[37] which seemed to be provocative in nature.[38][39] The terrorist had posted sermons of Naik on social media where Naik has urged "all Muslims to be terrorists" saying "if he is terrorizing a terrorist, he is following Islam".[40]

Following this incident, the channel was banned in Bangladesh.[41] Hasanul Haq Inu, the Information Minister of Bangladesh reasoned that "Peace TV is not consistent with Muslim society, the Quran, Sunnah, Hadith, Bangladesh's Constitution, our culture, customs and rituals."[42][43]

In March 2018, during a show called Strengthening Your Family, The Valley of the Homosexuals, presenter Imam Qasim Khan said that homosexuality was "a very unnatural type of love that is energised by the influence of [Satan]" and called AIDS "a disease [that gay men] contracted because they are homosexual". Khan went on to say, "Even an animal that is defiled by Islam, the pig – as nasty and corrupted and contaminated as a pig is – you never see two male pigs that are trying to have sex together. That's insanity… worse than animals."[44]

In July 2019, Ofcom ruled that three of Peace TV's programmes, including Khan's aforementioned broadcast, breached its rules on hate speech, offence, abusive treatment and incitement to crime. In a statement, the regulator said: "Ofcom considered the breaches in this case to be serious. We are putting the Licensee on notice that we will consider these breaches for the imposition of a statutory sanction."[45] Lord Production, which owns Peace TV's broadcast licence, defended the broadcast, claiming that it did not breach Ofcom's rules. The company claimed that Khan merely offered "a robust stand against homosexuality, but very much from a religious standpoint."[45] It disagreed with Ofcom's suggestion that Imam Khan's views constituted hate speech arguing that he did not “call for violence or punishment of homosexuals” and that his aim was to "outlaw the practice of homosexuality itself".[44]

Broadcasting restrictions on Peace TV
Country Status Date Notes
India Banned December 2012 Allegedly broadcasting anti-India programmes 'not conducive to the security environment in the country'.[46]
Bangladesh Banned July 2016 Alleged promotion of terrorism (after July 2016 Dhaka attack)[41]
Sri Lanka Banned May 2019 Alleged promotion of terrorism (after 2019 Sri Lanka Easter bombings)
United Kingdom Banned May 2020 Breached broadcasting regulations on inciting crime, hate speech, abuse and offence
Canada Banned Nov 2022 Reasons Unclear [47]

Notable staff and presenters

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Logos

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  • Logo consisting "Earth" (2006–2015)
    Logo consisting "Earth" (2006–2015)
  • Logo consisting "Salam" (2015–present)
    Logo consisting "Salam" (2015–present)

References

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  1. ^ The First Post. "Centre asks States to block unauthorised TV channels like Zakir Naik's Peace TV". Archived from the original on 13 July 2016. Retrieved 10 July 2016.
  2. ^ a b The Hindu. "Zakir Naik's UK-registered Foundation under scanner". Archived from the original on 10 July 2016. Retrieved 10 July 2016.
  3. ^ and Sri Lanka The Times of India. "Bangladesh bans televangelist Zakir Naik's Peace TV". Archived from the original on 10 July 2016. Retrieved 10 July 2016.
  4. ^ "Banned in India, Peace TV Net Buys Berth on TWC in N.Y." Multichannel News. 20 April 2015. Archived from the original on 19 July 2016. Retrieved 13 July 2016.
  5. ^ "Zakir Naik and the Islamic Research Foundation | Taylor & Francis Group". Taylor & Francis. doi:10.4324/9781315167015-8. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  6. ^ "All you need to know about Zakir Naik – Who's Zakir Naik?". The Economic Times. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  7. ^ Khalid, Saif. "Why does India want to arrest a popular Muslim scholar?". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
  8. ^ "About Peace TV". Peacetv.in. Archived from the original on 26 November 2013. Retrieved 30 November 2013.
  9. ^ Aataai Gazi Mahbub (10 May 2007). "Does 'Peace TV' Encourage Interfaith Amity?". OhmyNews. Archived from the original on 25 May 2007. Retrieved 19 May 2007.
  10. ^ Syed Neaz Ahmad (23 February 2007). "Peace TV Reaching 50 Million Viewers – Dr. Zakir Naik". Saudi Gazette. Archived from the original on 7 July 2007.
  11. ^ "British authorities consider banning Peace TV". The Express Tribune. Pakistan. 30 November 2010. Archived from the original on 23 February 2011.
  12. ^ "Schedules". Peacetv.tv. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 30 November 2013.
  13. ^ "Zakir Naik, Wanted In India, Banned From Making Speeches In Malaysia". NDTV.com. Retrieved 25 August 2020.
  14. ^ The Times of India. "Bangladesh bans televangelist Zakir Naik's Peace TV". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 10 July 2016. Retrieved 10 July 2016.
  15. ^ "Peace TV stations fined £300,000 for hate speeches as it pulls out of the UK". The National News. 14 May 2020. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
  16. ^ "Peace TV network crosses 200 million viewership". Arab News. Retrieved 12 August 2021.
  17. ^ Ankit Kumar (20 August 2019). "Despite ban, Zakir Naik's Peace TV continues to reach millions". India Today. Retrieved 20 August 2019.
  18. ^ a b "An Inter – Religious dialogue for Spiritual Enlightenment". The True Call. 13 December 2006. Archived from the original on 2 January 2014. Retrieved 19 May 2007.
  19. ^ Peace TV English, Urdu, Bangla & Chinese now in HD in Asia, Middle East and Africa from October 2020, retrieved 18 July 2021
  20. ^ Peace TV English, Urdu, Bangla & Chinese now in HD in Asia, Middle East and Africa from October 2020, retrieved 18 July 2021
  21. ^ a b Harper, Tom (11 February 2011). "Banned hate preacher still broadcasting after 'Jews are enemy of Islam' claim". London Evening Standard. Archived from the original on 16 December 2013.
  22. ^ "Welcome to Peace TV Bangla". Peacetvbangla.com. Archived from the original on 2 December 2013. Retrieved 30 November 2013.
  23. ^ Peace TV English, Urdu, Bangla & Chinese now in HD in Asia, Middle East and Africa from October 2020, retrieved 18 July 2021
  24. ^ Aataai Gazi Mahbub (10 May 2007). "Does 'Peace TV' Encourage Interfaith Amity?". OhMyNews. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 19 May 2007.
  25. ^ Syed Neaz Ahmad (23 February 2007). "Peace TV Reaching 50 Million Viewers – Dr. Zakir Naik". Saudi Gazette. Archived from the original on 7 July 2007. Retrieved 18 May 2007.
  26. ^ a b Barrett, David (9 February 2013). "Preachers of hate on British TV: what they said that broke the broadcasting rules". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 25 September 2015.
  27. ^ "India's only Muslim TV channel banned on DTH service". NCHRO. 28 September 2009. Retrieved 19 May 2007.
  28. ^ Wajihuddin, Mohammed (5 April 2009). "Popular religious channel illegal: I&B ministry". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 12 January 2017. Retrieved 1 March 2015.
  29. ^ Sharma, Pratul (6 December 2012). "MHA glare on hate channels: Govt puts on notice 24 foreign TV channels showing anti-India content after intel alert". India Today. Archived from the original on 6 December 2012.
  30. ^ Hassan, Rashid (6 July 2014). "Ban on Peace TV will be lifted soon: Zakir Naik". Arab News. Arab News. Archived from the original on 6 July 2014.
  31. ^ "This Islamic preacher might have influenced one of the Dhaka terrorists. Now Indians want him banned". The Washington Post. 6 July 2016. Archived from the original on 7 July 2016. Retrieved 10 July 2016.
  32. ^ Dhaka Tribune (6 July 2016). "India may consider action against Zakir Naik, if Bangladesh requests". Archived from the original on 10 July 2016. Retrieved 10 July 2016.
  33. ^ "Lankan cable operators block Zakir Naik's Peace TV". Ada Derana. 1 May 2019.
  34. ^ Pinglay, Prachi. "Lawyers condemn UK-India Muslim preacher ban" Archived 27 November 2017 at the Wayback Machine. BBC News. 22 June 2010. Retrieved 16 April 2011.
  35. ^ ISLAM'S VIEW ON TERRORISM AND JIHAAD | LECTURE + Q & A | DR ZAKIR NAIK, retrieved 27 April 2021
  36. ^ "Winners honoured at British Muslim Awards". Asian Image. 31 January 2013. Archived from the original on 21 November 2015. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
  37. ^ DNA (7 July 2016). "Peace TV of Mumbai preacher Zakir Naik who inspired Dhaka killer funded in Britain". Archived from the original on 8 July 2016. Retrieved 10 July 2016.
  38. ^ NDTV. "Bangladesh Investigating Zakir Naik's Islamist Links: Minister". Archived from the original on 10 July 2016. Retrieved 9 July 2016.
  39. ^ "Bangladesh asks India to examine Zakir Naik's speeches". Mid-Day. 7 July 2016. Archived from the original on 9 July 2016. Retrieved 10 July 2016.
  40. ^ The Washington Post. "Islamic TV preacher denies link to Bangladesh attack, accuses media of unfair trial". Archived from the original on 15 July 2016. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
  41. ^ a b Voice of America (13 July 2016). "After Terror Attack, Bangladesh Bans Peace TV". Archived from the original on 14 July 2016. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
  42. ^ BBC News (11 July 2016). "Bangladesh to ban Islamic TV channel, Peace TV". Archived from the original on 14 July 2016. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
  43. ^ Zee News. "Money collected for charity was routed to Islamic preacher Zakir Naik's Peace TV: Report". Archived from the original on 11 July 2016. Retrieved 10 July 2016.
  44. ^ a b Drury, Colin (23 July 2019). "Evangelical Islamic TV channel that broadcast show calling homosexuality 'insane' breached Ofcom regulations". The Independent. Archived from the original on 25 May 2022. Retrieved 5 August 2019.
  45. ^ a b Moore, Matt (28 July 2019). "Peace TV faces UK ban after presenter calls gay people "worse than animals"". Gay Times. Retrieved 5 August 2019.
  46. ^ "Ban on Peace TV will be lifted soon: Zakir Naik". Arab News. 6 July 2014. Archived from the original on 6 July 2014. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
  47. ^ "Controversial Islamic Preacher Zakir Naik to give religious lectures at qatar world cup". The Wire. 6 November 2022. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  48. ^ "Our Speakers". Peacetv.in. Archived from the original on 26 November 2013. Retrieved 30 November 2013.
  49. ^ "Certainty is not Removed by Doubt Part 4, Assim Al Hakeem, Episode 11". youtube.com. Peace TV. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
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