No more foreign funds for Zakir Naik's NGO

NEW DELHI:Tightening the noose around controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik’s NGO, Islamic Research Foundation (IRF), the Home Ministry on Tuesday initiated the process for cancellation of its Foreign contribution regulation Act) registration by issuing a final show cause notice to the NGO. The Home Ministry has also started the process for putting another NGO of Naik namely IRF Educational Trust in prior permission category, thus preventing it from receiving any foreign funds without getting nod from the government.

The move came after different investigations found Naik to be “involved” in utilising funds meant for the NGOs for alleged radicalisation of youths and “inspiring” them into terror activities, officials said.

Interestingly, the IRF's registration under the FCRA was renewed in September inadvertently despite multiple probes against Naik, leading to suspension of a joint secretary and four other officials in the Home Ministry.

The Centre is also in the process of declaring IRF as an unlawful association under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act and a nod from the Union Cabinet is awaited for it.

According to a draft note, which is based on the inputs from Maharashtra Police, Naik, who heads the IRF, has allegedly made many provocative speeches and engaged in terror propaganda.