Controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik on Friday condemned the terror attack in Nice, France, in which 84 people were killed. Addressing the media in Mumbai via Skype, he said, "I condemn all terror attacks anywhere in the world. I will speak for hours [against terrorism] if needed." Naik also later announced he will not be returning to India this year, PTI reported.

In response to a question regarding one of his speeches on suicide bombings, the 50-year-old televangelist said such attacks are considered "haraam" in Islam, but many scholars permit it as a war tactic, ANI reported. Regarding the fatwas against him, Naik said, "I am a messenger of peace. I do not criticise any sect of Islam."

Naik further accused the media of maligning him, saying the media had "altered" his responses and "misguided people". "Those who do that should be held responsible," he added. He also challenged news channel TimesNow's Chief Editor Arnab Goswami to an open debate, where both take turns to speak for an hour uninterrupted on "who is more beneficial for the society – Arnab Goswami or Zakir Naik".

Naik has been under scrutiny since it emerged that his speeches had inspired one of the militants behind the Dhaka cafe attack on July 1. While the Maharashtra intelligence department gave the televangelist a clean chit, saying they could not make out a case against him, the Centre is still looking into sources funding his Islamic Research Organisation. He has also been accused of meeting two brothers from Kerala who went missing from West Asia and are feared to have joined the Islamic State group.

The Islamic preacher was first questioned in 2002-2003 after a series of blasts in Mumbai. However, no evidence was found against him. "But since then, Naik has been under continuous surveillance of the intelligence units and agencies," a senior IPS officer who questioned Naik told Hindustan Times.