MHA Extends Ban on Zakir Naik’s Islamic Research Foundation by Five Years

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Friday extended the ban on the Islamic Research Foundation (IRF), founded by Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, for another five years under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.

The ministry said the organisation had been involved in activities prejudicial to the country's security and had the potential to disturb public order, communal harmony and India's secular fabric.

The fresh notification was issued ahead of the expiry of the existing ban on November 14. The IRF has been designated an unlawful association since November 17, 2016. The ban was last extended in November 2021.

MHA CITES SPEECHES AND COMMUNAL DISHARMONY

In its notification, the ministry accused the IRF and its members, particularly its founder and president Zakir Abdul Karim Naik, of encouraging followers to promote religious disharmony and enmity between communities.

The MHA described Naik's statements and speeches as objectionable and subversive. It alleged that his speeches had promoted hatred among religious groups and inspired some young people in India and abroad to commit terrorist acts.

According to the ministry, Naik had addressed millions of people through international satellite television networks, the internet, print publications and social media.

The government said that unless the organisation's alleged unlawful activities were curbed, it could reorganise its members, promote communal disharmony, propagate anti-national sentiments and support militancy.

IRF HAS BEEN BANNED SINCE 2016

Founded by Naik in Mumbai in February 1991, the IRF was first declared an unlawful association by the Centre in November 2016. Naik left India and moved to Malaysia, where he obtained permanent residency.

The government renewed the ban in November 2021. The latest notification has been issued under Section 3 of the UAPA, which empowers the Centre to declare an association unlawful.

The UAPA Tribunal, constituted under Section 5 of the Act to examine the declaration, had upheld the ban through orders dated May 22, 2017 and March 30, 2022.

With inputs from ANI