Canadian Visa cancelled for Islamic televangelist

A controversial television preacher will not be able to speak at an upcoming religious conference in Toronto after the Canadian Government decision to cancel his visa.

Officials from the Canadian High Commission in New Delhi informed evangelist Zakir Naik earlier this week that his five-year, multiple-entry Canadian Visa had been cancelled.

The Canadian Visa was issued last year.

Naik has become one of the most influential religious scholars in India but a controversial figure.

Last week, he was denied entry into Britain to speak at a conference after the British Home Ministry said the department had discovered evidence “of his unacceptable behaviour.” Canada followed with a cancellation of his visa a few days later.

It is believed decisions to stop his entry relate to a video clip on the Internet in which Naik expresses his view that if Osama bin Laden is fighting the enemies of Islam, and America, then he supports him.

The Canadian Visa Bureau is an independent consulting company specialising in helping people apply for a Canadian Visa with the Canadian Immigration department.