Qadri gained worldwide attention in 2010 when he declared a fatwa, or religious ruling, on terrorism and said it "cannot be permissible in Islam."

That occurred during his time in Canada, when he spoke out in videos and books.

His supporters also point to his Lahore-based religious welfare organization, Minhaj ul Quran, which promotes "true Islamic teachings."

According to its website, it has up to 280,000 members worldwide and works to build schools around the country to teach the Quran.