London: Britain`s high court has upheld
Home secretary Theresa May`s decision to bar Indian preacher
Zakir Naik from entering the UK for lectures.
May excluded Dr Zakir Naik from the UK on June 16 this
year for his alleged support to Islamic extremism. NaiK has
denied the allegation.
The Home office decision was challenged in High Court,
which last week ruled that May`s decision was "lawful".
Welcoming the judgment, May said, "I am pleased the
court has upheld my decision to exclude Dr Naik. An individual
will be excluded if their presence in the UK is not conducive
to the public good".
She added: "We make no apologies for refusing people
access to the UK if we believe they might seek to undermine
our society.
Coming to the UK is a privilege not a right and we are
not willing to allow those who might not be conducive to the
public good to enter the UK. Exclusion powers are very serious
and no decision is taken lightly.
Official sources said the Home Office will be seeking
its legal costs from the other side.
-PTI
