Zakir Naik’s Islamic NGO Red-Flagged; Renewal of License in Peril

Naik came under the authorities’ scanner when two of the Dhaka attackers claimed they were ‘inspired’ by him.

Zakir Naik (Photo: Hardeep Singh/The Quint)

Islamic Research Foundation (IRF), set up by Zakir Naik is due for licence renewal this year, and is among almost 150 NGOs against whom security agencies issued adverse reports in July, according to The Hindu.

Naik came under the authorities’ scanner when two of the Holey Artisan Bakery attackers in Dhaka claimed they were ‘inspired’ by him.

A senior government official has spoken on the matter.

Despite the IRF featuring on the list, its Foreign Contributions Regulation Act (FCRA) licence was renewed on 19 August automatically through the online system. An FCRA licence is a mandatory requirement for an NGO to receive foreign funds; the licence is renewed every five years. 

The first complaint against the IRF had come in 2012. Action against it was not taken till a year later by the Home Ministry, when the complainant sent a letter to the then Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh.

Also read: Home Ministry Sacks Four Officers for Helping Zakir Naik’s NGO

Source: The Hindu