Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad on Monday said that his country has the right not to extradite controversial <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/zakir-naik-alleges-political-witch-hunt-after-interpol-takes-up-indias-red-corner-notice-against-him-213362">Islamic preacher Zakir Naik</a> to India, since the fugitive evangelist claims he will not get a fair trial back home, according to a media report.

Naik, a 53-year-old radical television preacher, reportedly left India in 2016 and subsequently moved to largely Malaysia, where he was granted permanent residency.

"Zakir in general feels that he is not going to get a fair trial (in India)," Mahathir was quoted as saying by The Star newspaper.

He compared the situation to Australia refusing to extradite former police commando Sirul Azhar Umar, who was sentenced to death in Malaysia in 2015 for killing a Mongolian model.

"We requested Australia to extradite Sirul and they are afraid we are going to send him to the gallows," the prime minister said.

Naik was booked by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in 2016 based on a National Investigation Agency FIR that was registered under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act.

The ED last month said that Naik received crores of funds in his and his trusts' bank accounts from unidentified "well wishers" over the years for his speeches that spread "hatred and incited Muslim youths" to take up terrorism.

The Islamic Research Foundation (IRF), Mumbai-based charity trust promoted and controlled by Naik, "allegedly received funds in the form of donations and zakat (a form of alms giving in Islam) from domestic as well as overseas donors from countries like the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Malaysia among others," the ED said.&nbsp;

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad on Monday said that his country has the right not to extradite controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik to India, since the fugitive evangelist claims he will not get a fair trial back home, according to a media report.

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad on Monday said that his country has the right not to extradite controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik to India, since the fugitive evangelist claims he will not get a fair trial back home, according to a media report. Naik, a 53-year-old radical television preacher, reportedly left India in 2016 and subsequently moved to largely Malaysia, where he was granted permanent residency. "Zakir in general feels that he is not going to get a fair trial (in India)," Mahathir was quoted as saying by The Star newspaper. He compared the situation to Australia refusing to extradite former police commando Sirul Azhar Umar, who was sentenced to death in Malaysia in 2015 for killing a Mongolian model. "We requested Australia to extradite Sirul and they are afraid we are going to send him to the gallows," the prime minister said. Naik was booked by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in 2016 based on a National Investigation Agency FIR that was registered under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act. The ED last month said that Naik received crores of funds in his and his trusts' bank accounts from unidentified "well wishers" over the years for his speeches that spread "hatred and incited Muslim youths" to take up terrorism. The Islamic Research Foundation (IRF), Mumbai-based charity trust promoted and controlled by Naik, "allegedly received funds in the form of donations and zakat (a form of alms giving in Islam) from domestic as well as overseas donors from countries like the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Malaysia among others," the ED said.

Malaysia has right not to extradite Zakir Naik to India: PM Mahathir Mohamad

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday asked the Congressmen to sink to death for supporting controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, whose TV channel has been banned by Sri Lankan government in the wake of a series of terrorist attacks in the island nation in which over 250 people were killed.

"After the terror attacks, Sri Lanka government decided to ban Zakir Naik`s TV channel. Do you know who Zakir Naik is? He is Zakir Naik in whose 'durbar'&nbsp;Diggi Raja (Digvijaya Singh) was once seen appreciating him. He is the same Zakir Naik, whom the Congress government had invited to address our police officers, that too on the topic of terrorism. `Doob Maro Congress Walon (Sink to death Congressmen)," Prime Minister Modi said while addressing an election rally in Madhya Pradesh.

He said,&nbsp;"I have heard that a Congress leader here said that hit Modi so that he dies across the border. Congress people hate Modi so much that they are dreaming to kill him. But they have forgotten that the people of the country are batting from Modi`s side."

"Now the Congress people should tell from whose side they are playing - India or Pakistan," he asked.

"The Congress stands with those who say that Jammu and Kashmir should have its own Prime Minister. People can see how the party which ruled the country for so many years is indulging in anti-national activities," he said.

Madhya Pradesh, where 29 Lok Sabha seats are at stake, has gone to one phase of seven-phased polling so far.

The state will go to polls during remaining three phases of polling, which concludes on May 19. The counting of votes will take place on May 23.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday asked the Congressmen to sink to death for supporting controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, whose TV channel has been banned by Sri Lankan government in the wake of a series of terrorist attacks in the island nation in which over 250 people were killed.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday asked the Congressmen to sink to death for supporting controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, whose TV channel has been banned by Sri Lankan government in the wake of a series of terrorist attacks in the island nation in which over 250 people were killed. "After the terror attacks, Sri Lanka government decided to ban Zakir Naik`s TV channel. Do you know who Zakir Naik is? He is Zakir Naik in whose 'durbar' Diggi Raja (Digvijaya Singh) was once seen appreciating him. He is the same Zakir Naik, whom the Congress government had invited to address our police officers, that too on the topic of terrorism. `Doob Maro Congress Walon (Sink to death Congressmen)," Prime Minister Modi said while addressing an election rally in Madhya Pradesh. He said, "I have heard that a Congress leader here said that hit Modi so that he dies across the border. Congress people hate Modi so much that they are dreaming to kill him. But they have forgotten that the people of the country are batting from Modi`s side." "Now the Congress people should tell from whose side they are playing - India or Pakistan," he asked. "The Congress stands with those who say that Jammu and Kashmir should have its own Prime Minister. People can see how the party which ruled the country for so many years is indulging in anti-national activities," he said. Madhya Pradesh, where 29 Lok Sabha seats are at stake, has gone to one phase of seven-phased polling so far. The state will go to polls during remaining three phases of polling, which concludes on May 19. The counting of votes will take place on May 23.

PM Modi asks Congressmen to sink to death for supporting Zakir Naik

Controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik on Thursday accused the Indian government of engaging in a "witch-hunt" and putting pressure on the Interpol to issue a red corner notice against him.

In a statement issued here, Naik, who fled India in 2016, said he was aware of the "pressure the Indian government was applying on the Interpol" to issue a red corner notice against him.

"It's part of an elaborate witch-hunt. But having verified with a few member countries, I can confirm that there is no red corner notice against me as of date," he claimed.

"One of the Indian newspapers seems to have jumped the gun and reported internal deliberations of the Indian government which, as a matter of fact, have been going on for over two years now," he said.

Naik said the Interpol had already cancelled a red corner notice against him once.

"And it's been one-and-a-half years since the government submitted a charge sheet and started applying pressure on the Interpol. But as things stand, I have no reason to believe that Interpol will succumb to any kind of undue pressure," he said.

Naik said to be in Malaysia at present, has been under investigation since 2016, when the Centre banned his Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) for five years.

He is being probed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on several charges under the Indian Penal Code and the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).

The preacher, declared a proclaimed offender by a special NIA court here in June 2017, is accused of inciting youth to take up terror activities, giving hate speeches and promoting enmity between communities.

The NIA filed a charge sheet against Naik and others before a Mumbai court in October 2017.

Controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik on Thursday accused the Indian government of engaging in a "witch-hunt" and putting pressure on the Interpol to issue a red corner notice against him.

Controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik on Thursday accused the Indian government of engaging in a "witch-hunt" and putting pressure on the Interpol to issue a red corner notice against him. In a statement issued here, Naik, who fled India in 2016, said he was aware of the "pressure the Indian government was applying on the Interpol" to issue a red corner notice against him. "It's part of an elaborate witch-hunt. But having verified with a few member countries, I can confirm that there is no red corner notice against me as of date," he claimed. "One of the Indian newspapers seems to have jumped the gun and reported internal deliberations of the Indian government which, as a matter of fact, have been going on for over two years now," he said. Naik said the Interpol had already cancelled a red corner notice against him once. "And it's been one-and-a-half years since the government submitted a charge sheet and started applying pressure on the Interpol. But as things stand, I have no reason to believe that Interpol will succumb to any kind of undue pressure," he said. Naik said to be in Malaysia at present, has been under investigation since 2016, when the Centre banned his Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) for five years. He is being probed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on several charges under the Indian Penal Code and the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). The preacher, declared a proclaimed offender by a special NIA court here in June 2017, is accused of inciting youth to take up terror activities, giving hate speeches and promoting enmity between communities. The NIA filed a charge sheet against Naik and others before a Mumbai court in October 2017.

Zakir Naik alleges political witch-hunt after Interpol takes up India's red corner notice against him

Controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, wanted in his home country India, said he has not broken any law and was being targeted by the "enemies of Islam," <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/zakir-naik-thanks-malaysian-pm-for-not-deporting-him-vows-not-to-break-laws-150864?amp">in a rare public speech in Malaysia</a> where he has sought refuge.

Naik, 53, is facing charges of money laundering and hate speech in India, where authorities last year said he has been "promoting enmity and hatred between different religious groups in India through public speeches and lectures".

Naik has been living in Malaysia, where he has permanent residency since India started investigating him, but he has kept a low profile over the past year amid criticism that he is a threat to peace in multi-ethnic Malaysia.

Naik said in a late Saturday speech in Kangar, capital of the north Malaysian state of Perlis, that he had never broken any Indian law.

"But because I was spreading peace, I was giving solution for humanity, all the people who don't like peace to prevail, they don't like me," he said, adding he was being targeted because of his work to spread Islam.

"This doesn't go down (well with) the enemies of Islam. Be it western countries or the country I was born in, India."

Naik has been controversial because of his puritan brand of Islam - recommending the death penalty for homosexuals and those who abandon Islam as their faith, according to media reports.

In a clip on Youtube, Naik says that if Osama bin Laden "is terrorizing America the terrorist, the biggest terrorist, I am with him".

Bangladesh suspended a television channel that featured his preachings after media reported that militants who attacked a Dhaka cafe killing 22 people last year were admirers of him. Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack. Britain banned Naik from entering in 2010.

About 1,000 people turned up for Naik's speech, along with the state's chief minister, crown prince and religious officials.

The preacher was known to be close to officials in the previous Malaysian administration, which was unexpectedly defeated in a May general election.

New Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad in July said as long as Naik was not creating any problems in Malaysia, he would not be deported. Indian media has reported that India has sought his extradition.

In Kangar, Naik described himself as a fundamentalist for following the fundamental teachings of Islam.

"I am proud to be a fundamentalist Muslim," he said

A doctor by training, Naik will be delivering more lectures at universities and a mosque on the speaking tour. His wife, Farhat Naik, will address women in separate speeches.

Controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, wanted in his home country India, said he has not broken any law and was being targeted by the "enemies of Islam," in a rare public speech in Malaysia where he has sought refuge.

Controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, wanted in his home country India, said he has not broken any law and was being targeted by the "enemies of Islam," in a rare public speech in Malaysia where he has sought refuge. Naik, 53, is facing charges of money laundering and hate speech in India, where authorities last year said he has been "promoting enmity and hatred between different religious groups in India through public speeches and lectures". Naik has been living in Malaysia, where he has permanent residency since India started investigating him, but he has kept a low profile over the past year amid criticism that he is a threat to peace in multi-ethnic Malaysia. Naik said in a late Saturday speech in Kangar, capital of the north Malaysian state of Perlis, that he had never broken any Indian law. "But because I was spreading peace, I was giving solution for humanity, all the people who don't like peace to prevail, they don't like me," he said, adding he was being targeted because of his work to spread Islam. "This doesn't go down (well with) the enemies of Islam. Be it western countries or the country I was born in, India." Naik has been controversial because of his puritan brand of Islam - recommending the death penalty for homosexuals and those who abandon Islam as their faith, according to media reports. In a clip on Youtube, Naik says that if Osama bin Laden "is terrorizing America the terrorist, the biggest terrorist, I am with him". Bangladesh suspended a television channel that featured his preachings after media reported that militants who attacked a Dhaka cafe killing 22 people last year were admirers of him. Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack. Britain banned Naik from entering in 2010. About 1,000 people turned up for Naik's speech, along with the state's chief minister, crown prince and religious officials. The preacher was known to be close to officials in the previous Malaysian administration, which was unexpectedly defeated in a May general election. New Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad in July said as long as Naik was not creating any problems in Malaysia, he would not be deported. Indian media has reported that India has sought his extradition. In Kangar, Naik described himself as a fundamentalist for following the fundamental teachings of Islam. "I am proud to be a fundamentalist Muslim," he said A doctor by training, Naik will be delivering more lectures at universities and a mosque on the speaking tour. His wife, Farhat Naik, will address women in separate speeches.

I was spreading peace, have not broken any Indian law: Zakir Naik in Malaysia

A special NIA court here has ordered the attachment of four properties in Mumbai belonging to absconding Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, booked under an anti-terror law.

Charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) two years ago, Naik was declared a proclaimed offender by the court in June 2017.

Following the same, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) had attached two flats and a commercial establishment in the city belonging to the 52- year-old televangelist.

The central agency's application seeking permission to attach four properties in the Mazgaon area that were owned by Naik was allowed Thursday by the special court.

The court accepted the plea after the NIA submitted that Naik, staying overseas, was trying to sell these properties since his funding from various sources has been stopped after the central agency filed a case against him.

Advocate Anand Sukhdev, who appeared for the NIA, told the court that Naik was trying to obtain citizenship in several foreign nations and therefore, was trying to raise money for the same by selling these Mazgaon properties.

In November 2016, the central government had declared Naik's Mumbai-based Islamic Research Foundation as an "unlawful" association under the UAPA.

Soon after, the NIA had registered a case against Naik, accusing him of having incited many persons to take up terror activities, and promoting enmity between different religious groups in India through his public speeches and lectures.

A special NIA court here has ordered the attachment of four properties in Mumbai belonging to absconding Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, booked under an anti-terror law.

A special NIA court here has ordered the attachment of four properties in Mumbai belonging to absconding Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, booked under an anti-terror law. Charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) two years ago, Naik was declared a proclaimed offender by the court in June 2017. Following the same, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) had attached two flats and a commercial establishment in the city belonging to the 52- year-old televangelist. The central agency's application seeking permission to attach four properties in the Mazgaon area that were owned by Naik was allowed Thursday by the special court. The court accepted the plea after the NIA submitted that Naik, staying overseas, was trying to sell these properties since his funding from various sources has been stopped after the central agency filed a case against him. Advocate Anand Sukhdev, who appeared for the NIA, told the court that Naik was trying to obtain citizenship in several foreign nations and therefore, was trying to raise money for the same by selling these Mazgaon properties. In November 2016, the central government had declared Naik's Mumbai-based Islamic Research Foundation as an "unlawful" association under the UAPA. Soon after, the NIA had registered a case against Naik, accusing him of having incited many persons to take up terror activities, and promoting enmity between different religious groups in India through his public speeches and lectures.

NIA court orders attachment of four properties of Zakir Naik

The government has left no stone unturned in convincing a UK court that fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya must be extradited to India, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said on Thursday.

"Extradition hearings have been going on. I understand that the closing submissions in the case have already been made. We now wait for the verdict. I can only assure you that we have left no stone unturned in our efforts to convince the courts that the extradition of Vijay Mallya to India should take place," Kumar told reporters in response to a question.

In February 2017, India made a formal request to the UK for extradition of Mallya, who faces charges of financial misconduct amounting to nearly Rs 9,000 crore in debt owed to Indian banks by his defunct Kingfisher Airlines.

When asked about the location of fugitive businessmen Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi, who allegedly duped Punjab National Bank to the tune of thousands of crores of rupees, he said the MEA will not be able to provide their location details as it comes into picture only when the agencies concerned inform it about their whereabouts.

Responding to a question on whether the issue of the extradition of Islamic preacher Zakir Naik from Malaysia came up for discussion during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting with his Malaysian counterpart Mahathir Mohamad, Kumar said the interaction between the two leaders was very short.

The meeting happened on May 31 during Modi's visit enroute Singapore and the talks covered a broad overview about the relationship between the two countries.

Modi made a brief stopover in Malaysia to meet the nonagenarian leader, who won polls after trumping Najib Razak, the then Prime Minister of Malaysia.

Kumar added India had sent a request to Malaysia to extradite Naik and it was waiting for a response.

On the summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un scheduled for June 12 in Singapore, Kumar said, " India welcomes the proposed meeting and supports the peaceful resolution to the Korean Peninsula problem."

'Extradition hearings have been going on. I understand that the closing submissions in the case have already been made. We now wait for the verdict. I can only assure you that we have left no stone unturned in our efforts to convince the courts that the extradition of Vijay Mallya to India should take place'

The government has left no stone unturned in convincing a UK court that fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya must be extradited to India, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said on Thursday. "Extradition hearings have been going on. I understand that the closing submissions in the case have already been made. We now wait for the verdict. I can only assure you that we have left no stone unturned in our efforts to convince the courts that the extradition of Vijay Mallya to India should take place," Kumar told reporters in response to a question. In February 2017, India made a formal request to the UK for extradition of Mallya, who faces charges of financial misconduct amounting to nearly Rs 9,000 crore in debt owed to Indian banks by his defunct Kingfisher Airlines. When asked about the location of fugitive businessmen Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi, who allegedly duped Punjab National Bank to the tune of thousands of crores of rupees, he said the MEA will not be able to provide their location details as it comes into picture only when the agencies concerned inform it about their whereabouts. Responding to a question on whether the issue of the extradition of Islamic preacher Zakir Naik from Malaysia came up for discussion during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting with his Malaysian counterpart Mahathir Mohamad, Kumar said the interaction between the two leaders was very short. The meeting happened on May 31 during Modi's visit enroute Singapore and the talks covered a broad overview about the relationship between the two countries. Modi made a brief stopover in Malaysia to meet the nonagenarian leader, who won polls after trumping Najib Razak, the then Prime Minister of Malaysia. Kumar added India had sent a request to Malaysia to extradite Naik and it was waiting for a response. On the summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un scheduled for June 12 in Singapore, Kumar said, " India welcomes the proposed meeting and supports the peaceful resolution to the Korean Peninsula problem."

Govt has left no stone unturned in convincing UK court that Mallya should be extradited: MEA

India is waiting for Malaysia's response on the extradition of Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) president and preacher Zakir Naik, as informed in Ministry of External Affairs'&nbsppress conference on Thursday.

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said, "India and Malaysia have an extradition treaty and we have made an extradition request to Malaysia, we are waiting for their response in this matter."

He further said that the legal process for the same is near completion.

"Once it is complete, we will make an official request to Malaysian government very soon to send back Zakir Naik to India" Kumar said.

Earlier in March, the Indian government sought Naik's extradition from Malaysia accusing him of inciting youth to take up jihad.

There were reports that Naik had been given permanent residency in Malaysia.

Earlier in 2017, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) filed a charge sheet against Naik in a special court in Mumbai as part of which it said it would explore all the legal options to bring Naik back to India.&nbsp

There were reports that Naik had been given permanent residency in Malaysia

India is waiting for Malaysia's response on the extradition of Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) president and preacher Zakir Naik, as informed in Ministry of External Affairs'&nbsppress conference on Thursday. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said, "India and Malaysia have an extradition treaty and we have made an extradition request to Malaysia, we are waiting for their response in this matter." He further said that the legal process for the same is near completion. "Once it is complete, we will make an official request to Malaysian government very soon to send back Zakir Naik to India" Kumar said. Earlier in March, the Indian government sought Naik's extradition from Malaysia accusing him of inciting youth to take up jihad. There were reports that Naik had been given permanent residency in Malaysia. Earlier in 2017, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) filed a charge sheet against Naik in a special court in Mumbai as part of which it said it would explore all the legal options to bring Naik back to India.

India waiting for Malaysia's response on Zakir Naik's extradition

The Interpol has rejected the&nbsp;National Investigation Agency&#39;s (NIA) request for red corner notice against Zakir Naik stating that India&#39;s request is premature.&nbsp;

The agency has also told global offices to delete all data in relation to him.

Interpol claimed that the Indian authorities have failed to follow proper process of law. It also cited political and religious bias and lack of international interest as the reasons for its decision.

The NIA said its request for the red corner notice against Zakir Naik was not accepted by Interpol as the charge sheet had not been filed when the request was submitted to the Interpol headquarters.

The agency will now submit a fresh request to Interpol as charge sheet has already been filed in the concerned NIA court in Mumbai.&nbsp;

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NIA&#39;s request for Red Notice against <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ZakirNaik?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ZakirNaik</a> was not accepted by Interpol as chargesheet had not been filed when request was submitted to the Interpol HQ. Will now submit fresh request to Interpol as chargesheet has already been filed in the concerned NIA court in Mumbai: NIA <a href="https://t.co/qF32r6cKSV">pic.twitter.com/qF32r6cKSV</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/942069617052151808?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 16, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Naik had been charged under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) and Sections 120 (b), 153 (a), 295 (a), 298 and 505 (2) of the Indian Penal Code.

The NIA had accused Naik of radicalising youth and spreading hatred between religious groups in India through his speeches and lectures.

Indian youth, who fled the country to join the Islamic State (IS) have revealed that they were influenced by speeches made by him.&nbsp;

Naik was charged with conspiring with his organisation&nbsp;Islamic Research Foundation&rsquo;s (IRF) Trust and the Harmony Media Private Limited to commit the offences.

His NGO was banned by the home ministry in December 2016.&nbsp;

According to reports, Zakir Naik is currently in Malaysia, which has given him asylum.&nbsp;

Now, India is likely to start the extradition process soon.

Zakir Naik&#39;s Peace TV is banned in several countries across the world including the UK and Canada.

During his interactions with the media in India, he has repeatedly denied all the charges against him.

The Mumbai-based preacher came under the lens of security agencies after some terrorists allegedly involved in the attack on a cafe in Dhaka in July last year reportedly claimed they were inspired by his speeches.

The agency has also told global offices to delete all data in relation to him, reports further said

The Interpol has rejected the National Investigation Agency's (NIA) request for red corner notice against Zakir Naik stating that India's request is premature. The agency has also told global offices to delete all data in relation to him. Interpol claimed that the Indian authorities have failed to follow proper process of law. It also cited political and religious bias and lack of international interest as the reasons for its decision. The NIA said its request for the red corner notice against Zakir Naik was not accepted by Interpol as the charge sheet had not been filed when the request was submitted to the Interpol headquarters. The agency will now submit a fresh request to Interpol as charge sheet has already been filed in the concerned NIA court in Mumbai. NIA's request for Red Notice against #ZakirNaik was not accepted by Interpol as chargesheet had not been filed when request was submitted to the Interpol HQ. Will now submit fresh request to Interpol as chargesheet has already been filed in the concerned NIA court in Mumbai: NIA pic.twitter.com/qF32r6cKSV — ANI (@ANI) December 16, 2017 × Naik had been charged under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) and Sections 120 (b), 153 (a), 295 (a), 298 and 505 (2) of the Indian Penal Code. The NIA had accused Naik of radicalising youth and spreading hatred between religious groups in India through his speeches and lectures. Indian youth, who fled the country to join the Islamic State (IS) have revealed that they were influenced by speeches made by him. Naik was charged with conspiring with his organisation Islamic Research Foundation’s (IRF) Trust and the Harmony Media Private Limited to commit the offences. His NGO was banned by the home ministry in December 2016. According to reports, Zakir Naik is currently in Malaysia, which has given him asylum. Now, India is likely to start the extradition process soon. Zakir Naik's Peace TV is banned in several countries across the world including the UK and Canada. During his interactions with the media in India, he has repeatedly denied all the charges against him. The Mumbai-based preacher came under the lens of security agencies after some terrorists allegedly involved in the attack on a cafe in Dhaka in July last year reportedly claimed they were inspired by his speeches.

Interpol cancels red corner notice against Zakir Naik, says request premature

When Zakir Naik emerged from a prominent Malaysian mosque last month fans swarmed about him, seeking selfies with the Indian Muslim televangelist whose hardline views have sparked a criminal investigation back in his home country.

Accompanied by a bodyguard, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/nia-files-chargesheet-against-zakir-naik-22967">Naik was making a rare public appearance at the Putra Mosque in Malaysia&#39;s administrative capital,</a> where the prime minister and his cabinet members often worship.

Naik, who has been banned in the UK, has been given permanent residency in Malaysia and embraced by top government officials.

Critics see <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nia-court-issues-non-bailable-warrant-against-zakir-naik-14726">Naik&#39;s presence in Malaysia as another sign of top-level support for hardline Islam </a>in a country with substantial minorities of Christians, Hindus and Buddhists, and which has long projected a moderate Islamic image.

Support for a more politicised Islam has grown in recent years under Prime Minister Najib Razak, especially after he lost the popular vote in the 2013 general election - the ruling coalition&#39;s worst-ever electoral performance.

Since then, his ruling party has been trying to appease an increasingly conservative ethnic Malay-Muslim base and religion has become a battleground ahead of elections the prime minister has to call by mid-2018.

Naik, a 52-year-old medical doctor, has aroused controversy with his puritan brand of Islam - recommending the death penalty for homosexuals and those who abandon Islam as their faith, according to media reports. A Youtube video shows Naik saying that if Osama bin Laden &quot;is terrorizing America the terrorist, the biggest terrorist, I am with him&quot;.

Last week, India&#39;s counter-terrorism agency prepared charges against Naik, saying he has been &quot;promoting enmity and hatred between different religious groups in India through public speeches and lectures.&quot;

Bangladesh suspended Peace TV channel, which features Naik&#39;s preachings after some media reports claimed bombers of a Dhaka cafe that killed 22 people last year were admirers of him. Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack.

The Malaysian government accommodates Naik because &quot;he remains a reasonably popular character amongst Malays, who gloss over his more controversial aspects,&quot; said Rashaad Ali, an analyst with S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) in Singapore.

&quot;If the government were to kick him out of the country, it causes them to lose religious credibility in the eyes of the public.&quot;

Naik, who has been banned in the UK, has been given permanent residency in Malaysia, and embraced by top government officials.

When Zakir Naik emerged from a prominent Malaysian mosque last month fans swarmed about him, seeking selfies with the Indian Muslim televangelist whose hardline views have sparked a criminal investigation back in his home country. Accompanied by a bodyguard, Naik was making a rare public appearance at the Putra Mosque in Malaysia's administrative capital, where the prime minister and his cabinet members often worship. Naik, who has been banned in the UK, has been given permanent residency in Malaysia and embraced by top government officials. Critics see Naik's presence in Malaysia as another sign of top-level support for hardline Islam in a country with substantial minorities of Christians, Hindus and Buddhists, and which has long projected a moderate Islamic image. Support for a more politicised Islam has grown in recent years under Prime Minister Najib Razak, especially after he lost the popular vote in the 2013 general election - the ruling coalition's worst-ever electoral performance. Since then, his ruling party has been trying to appease an increasingly conservative ethnic Malay-Muslim base and religion has become a battleground ahead of elections the prime minister has to call by mid-2018. Naik, a 52-year-old medical doctor, has aroused controversy with his puritan brand of Islam - recommending the death penalty for homosexuals and those who abandon Islam as their faith, according to media reports. A Youtube video shows Naik saying that if Osama bin Laden "is terrorizing America the terrorist, the biggest terrorist, I am with him". Last week, India's counter-terrorism agency prepared charges against Naik, saying he has been "promoting enmity and hatred between different religious groups in India through public speeches and lectures." Bangladesh suspended Peace TV channel, which features Naik's preachings after some media reports claimed bombers of a Dhaka cafe that killed 22 people last year were admirers of him. Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack. The Malaysian government accommodates Naik because "he remains a reasonably popular character amongst Malays, who gloss over his more controversial aspects," said Rashaad Ali, an analyst with S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) in Singapore. "If the government were to kick him out of the country, it causes them to lose religious credibility in the eyes of the public."

Zakir Naik finds refuge in Malaysia as politicised Islam grows

The NIA has filed a charge sheet against Zakir Naik.

Naik has been charged with inciting youths to take up terror activities, hate speech,and promoting enmity between communities.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FLASH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FLASH</a>: NIA files chargesheet against Zakir Naik; more details awaited <a href="https://t.co/ZuFTzUXFaH">pic.twitter.com/ZuFTzUXFaH</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/923493690353389568?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 26, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UPDATE?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UPDATE</a>: Zakir Naik has been booked under charges of Inciting youths to take up terror activities and hate speech
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/923494722060070912?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 26, 2017</a></blockquote>
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India&#39;s security agencies had zeroed in on Naik after one&nbsp;of the men involved in the 2016 attack on the Holey Artisan bakery in Dhaka said he had been influenced by his teachings.&nbsp;

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We have collected sufficient oral,documentary,technical,forensic evidence which we&#39;ve placed before court: NIA IG Alok Mittal on Zakir Naik <a href="https://t.co/cT2lI5Tsac">pic.twitter.com/cT2lI5Tsac</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/923565102992834561?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 26, 2017</a></blockquote>
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We will explore all legal options which are available to us to bring him back so that he faces trial before court: NIA IG on Zakir Naik <a href="https://t.co/k84fYWWPB7">pic.twitter.com/k84fYWWPB7</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/923565628509663237?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 26, 2017</a></blockquote>
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The charge sheet is 4,000-pages long.&nbsp;

Police said they would explore &quot;all legal options which are available to us to bring him back so that he faces trial before court&quot;.&nbsp;

Naik is currently abroad. He fled the country after news broke of the Dhaka terrorist&#39;s statement.&nbsp;

Naik has been charged with inciting youths to take up terror activities

The NIA has filed a charge sheet against Zakir Naik. Naik has been charged with inciting youths to take up terror activities, hate speech,and promoting enmity between communities. #FLASH: NIA files chargesheet against Zakir Naik; more details awaited pic.twitter.com/ZuFTzUXFaH — ANI (@ANI) October 26, 2017 × #UPDATE: Zakir Naik has been booked under charges of Inciting youths to take up terror activities and hate speech — ANI (@ANI) October 26, 2017 × India's security agencies had zeroed in on Naik after one of the men involved in the 2016 attack on the Holey Artisan bakery in Dhaka said he had been influenced by his teachings. We have collected sufficient oral,documentary,technical,forensic evidence which we've placed before court: NIA IG Alok Mittal on Zakir Naik pic.twitter.com/cT2lI5Tsac — ANI (@ANI) October 26, 2017 × We will explore all legal options which are available to us to bring him back so that he faces trial before court: NIA IG on Zakir Naik pic.twitter.com/k84fYWWPB7 — ANI (@ANI) October 26, 2017 × The charge sheet is 4,000-pages long. Police said they would explore "all legal options which are available to us to bring him back so that he faces trial before court". Naik is currently abroad. He fled the country after news broke of the Dhaka terrorist's statement.

NIA files charge sheet against Zakir Naik

The special NIA court in Mumbai today issued a non-bailable warrant against the controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, wanted by the agency for his alleged role in a terror case.

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Non bailable warrant issued against Zakir Naik by special NIA court in Mumbai, on the ground of promoting enmity among community.
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/855004334009884673">April 20, 2017</a></blockquote>
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The National Investigation Agency had registered a case against Naik under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act last year.

It told the court that Naik didn&#39;t appear before it even after three summonses were issued and it would need to take Interpol&#39;s help to bring him back to India.

&quot;Issue NBW against Naik,&quot; said Special Judge VV Patil.

Last week, another city court had issued an NBW against Naik in a case of money laundering registered by the Enforcement Directorate against him. The ED lawyer had said Naik was believed to be in the United Arab Emirates.

Naik, 51, left India last year, allegedly to evade arrest after some perpetrators of Dhaka terror attack claimed they were inspired by him.

Following the Dhaka attack, the NIA had registered a case against him and some officials of his organisation, Islamic Research Foundation, under section 153-A of IPC (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion) and the UAPA.&nbsp;

(PTI)

The National Investigation Agency had registered a case against Naik under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act last year

The special NIA court in Mumbai today issued a non-bailable warrant against the controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, wanted by the agency for his alleged role in a terror case. Non bailable warrant issued against Zakir Naik by special NIA court in Mumbai, on the ground of promoting enmity among community. — ANI (@ANI_news) April 20, 2017 × The National Investigation Agency had registered a case against Naik under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act last year. It told the court that Naik didn't appear before it even after three summonses were issued and it would need to take Interpol's help to bring him back to India. "Issue NBW against Naik," said Special Judge VV Patil. Last week, another city court had issued an NBW against Naik in a case of money laundering registered by the Enforcement Directorate against him. The ED lawyer had said Naik was believed to be in the United Arab Emirates. Naik, 51, left India last year, allegedly to evade arrest after some perpetrators of Dhaka terror attack claimed they were inspired by him. Following the Dhaka attack, the NIA had registered a case against him and some officials of his organisation, Islamic Research Foundation, under section 153-A of IPC (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion) and the UAPA. (PTI)

NIA court issues non-bailable warrant against Zakir Naik

A special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court will on Wednesday continue to hear the Enforcement Directorate`s arguments over issuance of non-bailable warrant against founder of Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) Zakir Naik.

Tightening the noose on Naik, the Enforcement Directorate ( ED) on Monday yesterday approached the court over the same.

The move comes in the wake of Naik failing to appear before the agency despite being issued four summons.

The Enforcement Directorate had last month provisionally attached properties of Naik-led IRF worth Rs. 18.37 crore under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, in the form of mutual fund, real estate properties and bank balances.

Earlier in November last year, the Enforcement Directorate had registered money laundering case against the IRF on the basis of FIR registered by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

It was alleged that Naik and his associates are indulging in unlawful activities. It was also alleged that Naik promotes enmity and hatred between different religious groups in India through his provocative utterances.

During the PMLA investigation, Naik avoided all four summons issued to him.

The IRF, headed by Naik, moved a petition last year seeking directions against the ban imposed on it by the Central Government.

(ANI)

It was alleged that Naik and his associates indulge in unlawful activities and promote enmity & hatred between different religions in India

A special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court will on Wednesday continue to hear the Enforcement Directorate`s arguments over issuance of non-bailable warrant against founder of Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) Zakir Naik. Tightening the noose on Naik, the Enforcement Directorate ( ED) on Monday yesterday approached the court over the same. The move comes in the wake of Naik failing to appear before the agency despite being issued four summons. The Enforcement Directorate had last month provisionally attached properties of Naik-led IRF worth Rs. 18.37 crore under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, in the form of mutual fund, real estate properties and bank balances. Earlier in November last year, the Enforcement Directorate had registered money laundering case against the IRF on the basis of FIR registered by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). It was alleged that Naik and his associates are indulging in unlawful activities. It was also alleged that Naik promotes enmity and hatred between different religious groups in India through his provocative utterances. During the PMLA investigation, Naik avoided all four summons issued to him. The IRF, headed by Naik, moved a petition last year seeking directions against the ban imposed on it by the Central Government. (ANI)

Court to hear Enforcement Directorate's arguments on Zakir Naik

India&#39;s National Investigation Agency (NIA) has issued another summons to controversial Islamic televangelist Zakir Naik, asking him to appear before it on March 30 in a case filed under the anti-terror law.

Zakir Naik is accused of allegedly promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony. Sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) have also been slapped on him, PTI reported.

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ED attaches assets worth Rs 18.37 Crores of Islamic Research Foundation and others under PMLA in Zakir Naik case. 
(file pic) <a href="https://t.co/pFE7YNsvCW">pic.twitter.com/pFE7YNsvCW</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/843802423328149504">March 20, 2017</a></blockquote>
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The NIA had asked previously asked Naik to appear before it on March 14 and ordered him to face questioning. The preacher and and founder of Islamic Research Foundation did not respond to the notice.

Zakir Naik and the Islamic Research Foundation had first come under the scanner after the terrorist responsible for the 2016 Dhaka cafe attacks said in an online post that he was inspired by Naik&#39;s speeches.

The Centre had banned the organisation for five years after declaring it as an &quot;unlawful association&quot; last year in November. The NIA followed up with raids on its premises in Mumbai on November 19.

The Islamic Research Foundation had filed a plea against an immediate ban and freezing of accounts of the organisation which was dismissed by the Delhi High Court on March 16. The court said the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had sufficient material for the immediate ban. 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies)

The National Investigation Agency had earlier asked him to appear before it on March 14

India's National Investigation Agency (NIA) has issued another summons to controversial Islamic televangelist Zakir Naik, asking him to appear before it on March 30 in a case filed under the anti-terror law. Zakir Naik is accused of allegedly promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony. Sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) have also been slapped on him, PTI reported. ED attaches assets worth Rs 18.37 Crores of Islamic Research Foundation and others under PMLA in Zakir Naik case. (file pic) pic.twitter.com/pFE7YNsvCW — ANI (@ANI_news) March 20, 2017 × The NIA had asked previously asked Naik to appear before it on March 14 and ordered him to face questioning. The preacher and and founder of Islamic Research Foundation did not respond to the notice. Zakir Naik and the Islamic Research Foundation had first come under the scanner after the terrorist responsible for the 2016 Dhaka cafe attacks said in an online post that he was inspired by Naik's speeches. The Centre had banned the organisation for five years after declaring it as an "unlawful association" last year in November. The NIA followed up with raids on its premises in Mumbai on November 19. The Islamic Research Foundation had filed a plea against an immediate ban and freezing of accounts of the organisation which was dismissed by the Delhi High Court on March 16. The court said the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had sufficient material for the immediate ban. (WION with inputs from agencies)

After he fails to respond to earlier summons, NIA sends Zakir Naik another

Indian investigators are probing controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik&#39;s links with people close to gangster Dawood Ibrahim, the man who headed an organised crime syndicate D-company in Mumbai.

India&#39;s Enforcement Directorate suspect that some Karachi-based businessmen close to Dawood funnelled large amounts of money in to Naik&#39;s organisation Islamic Research Foundation.

The ED&#39;s suspicion has grown after IRF&#39;s apprehended chief financial officer Aamir Gazdar apparently oversaw transactions from Pakistan and Dubai, according to Mumbai Mirror.

A senior ED official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that a &quot;closely coordinated nvestigation&quot; was on to find whether Zaik&#39;s organisation was used as a front by Dawood Ibrahim and an unnamed Pakistni terror outfit.

Large transactions were also made from Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom and a few African countries, the news report stated.&nbsp;

Naik or IRF representatives were not available for comment.

The ED also said Gazdar created shell companies to masquerade the offshore transactions.

Naik, who is known as the most influential&nbsp;Salafi ideologue in India, has been banned from preaching in India and Bangladesh.

He was banned from UK and Canada several years ago and Malaysia banned his preachings fearing communal tension in the country.

The 51-year-old preacher came under Bangladesh&#39;s security lens when one of the Dhaka attackers had posted on Facebook about Naik&#39;s influence on him.

Twenty two people, including 17 foreigners, were killed in a deadly assault on an upscale eatery in Bangladesh&#39;s capital city Dhaka on July 1.

Dawood Ibrahim has remained a fugitive -- India believes him to be hiding in Karachi, Pakistan -- ever since a series of bombs rocked Mumbai, then Bombay, in 1993, which left 257 people dead and hundreds wounded.

(WION)

India's Enforcement Directorate suspect the controversial preacher's organisation worked as a front for D-company and unnamed terror outfit

Indian investigators are probing controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik's links with people close to gangster Dawood Ibrahim, the man who headed an organised crime syndicate D-company in Mumbai. India's Enforcement Directorate suspect that some Karachi-based businessmen close to Dawood funnelled large amounts of money in to Naik's organisation Islamic Research Foundation. The ED's suspicion has grown after IRF's apprehended chief financial officer Aamir Gazdar apparently oversaw transactions from Pakistan and Dubai, according to Mumbai Mirror. A senior ED official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that a "closely coordinated nvestigation" was on to find whether Zaik's organisation was used as a front by Dawood Ibrahim and an unnamed Pakistni terror outfit. Large transactions were also made from Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom and a few African countries, the news report stated. Naik or IRF representatives were not available for comment. The ED also said Gazdar created shell companies to masquerade the offshore transactions. Naik, who is known as the most influential Salafi ideologue in India, has been banned from preaching in India and Bangladesh. He was banned from UK and Canada several years ago and Malaysia banned his preachings fearing communal tension in the country. The 51-year-old preacher came under Bangladesh's security lens when one of the Dhaka attackers had posted on Facebook about Naik's influence on him. Twenty two people, including 17 foreigners, were killed in a deadly assault on an upscale eatery in Bangladesh's capital city Dhaka on July 1. Dawood Ibrahim has remained a fugitive -- India believes him to be hiding in Karachi, Pakistan -- ever since a series of bombs rocked Mumbai, then Bombay, in 1993, which left 257 people dead and hundreds wounded. (WION)

India probes Zakir Naik's links to underworld don Dawood Ibrahim

Controversial Indian Islamic preacher Zakir Naik&#39;s foundation apparently gave money to suspected Islamic State recruiter Abu Anas last year, India&#39;s anti-terror agency said.

If found true, this would be the first evidence of a nexus between Naik and IS.

This comes after the Indian government had banned Naik-founded Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) for unlawful activities last week.

The NIA&#39;s probe into financial dealings of the foundation suggest that IRF had given Rs 80,000 (roughly $1,170) as scholarship to Anas around the time he was planning to leave for Syria to join IS.

Anas, an engineer by profession, was arrested by the NIA in Januray for allegedly plotting a terror strike ahead of January 26, which is India&#39;s Republic Day.&nbsp;

Naik has come under India&#39;s security scanner following the deadly Gulshan attack in Bangladesh&#39;s capital city of Dhaka.&nbsp;

The perpetrators of the Gulshan terror attack in July 2016, which left 29 people dead, had been &quot;admirers&quot; of Naik&#39;s preachings, according to Bangladeshi&nbsp;Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir.

Naik has denied being a &quot;terrorist influencer&quot;, saying he has preached in over 150 countries without being troubled by such allegations.

India&#39;s investigation agencies have come down hard since the Dhaka attacks and are currently scrutinising Naik&#39;s properties and&nbsp;financial dealings.&nbsp;

(WION)

Under-fire Naik allegedly gave $1,170 to suspected Islamic State recruiter Abu Anas around the time he was planning to leave for Syria

Controversial Indian Islamic preacher Zakir Naik's foundation apparently gave money to suspected Islamic State recruiter Abu Anas last year, India's anti-terror agency said. If found true, this would be the first evidence of a nexus between Naik and IS. This comes after the Indian government had banned Naik-founded Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) for unlawful activities last week. The NIA's probe into financial dealings of the foundation suggest that IRF had given Rs 80,000 (roughly $1,170) as scholarship to Anas around the time he was planning to leave for Syria to join IS. Anas, an engineer by profession, was arrested by the NIA in Januray for allegedly plotting a terror strike ahead of January 26, which is India's Republic Day. Naik has come under India's security scanner following the deadly Gulshan attack in Bangladesh's capital city of Dhaka. The perpetrators of the Gulshan terror attack in July 2016, which left 29 people dead, had been "admirers" of Naik's preachings, according to Bangladeshi Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir. Naik has denied being a "terrorist influencer", saying he has preached in over 150 countries without being troubled by such allegations. India's investigation agencies have come down hard since the Dhaka attacks and are currently scrutinising Naik's properties and financial dealings. (WION)

Islamic preacher Zakir Naik may have given scholarship to IS recruiter: India's probe agency

India&rsquo;s National Investigation Agency on Saturday conducted searches at 10 premises of the controversial preacher Zakir Naik&#39;s Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) in Mumbai.

The NIA registered a case against Naik and others under an anti-terror law, the Press Trust of India reported.

The searches began this morning with the help of local police after a case was registered by the NIA&#39;s Mumbai branch last night under section 153-A of the Indian penal code (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony) and various sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, PTI reported.

The searches come only a few days after the union cabinet banned the IRF in meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday.

Naik and the IRF have been under the scanner ever since reports emerged that one of the Dhaka cafe attackers had been influenced by Naik&#39;s speeches.

Naik has been outside of the country ever since the news broke.

His speeches are banned in the UK, Canada, and Malaysia.

(WION with inputs from PTI)

The IRF came under the scanner after a Dhaka cafe attack terrorist said he was inspired by Naik's speeches

India’s National Investigation Agency on Saturday conducted searches at 10 premises of the controversial preacher Zakir Naik's Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) in Mumbai. The NIA registered a case against Naik and others under an anti-terror law, the Press Trust of India reported. The searches began this morning with the help of local police after a case was registered by the NIA's Mumbai branch last night under section 153-A of the Indian penal code (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony) and various sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, PTI reported. The searches come only a few days after the union cabinet banned the IRF in meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday. Naik and the IRF have been under the scanner ever since reports emerged that one of the Dhaka cafe attackers had been influenced by Naik's speeches. Naik has been outside of the country ever since the news broke. His speeches are banned in the UK, Canada, and Malaysia. (WION with inputs from PTI)

India's NIA raids premises of preacher Zakir Naik's Islamic Research Foundation

Indian interior ministry has put controversial preacher Zakir Naik&#39;s NGO Islamic Research Foundation in the &#39;prior permission list&#39;, which bars it from receiving foreign funds directly.&nbsp; 
 
The interior ministry has asked the central banking institution, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to seek prior permission from it before releasing any money to the NGO based in the western Mumbai city. The decision comes in the wake of a preliminary inquiry conducted by the Indian interior ministry that found that the NGO was carrying out activities contrary to the Foreign Contribution Regulations Act (FCRA) under which it has to function, according to Indian news agency PTI.&nbsp; 
 
Despite several ongoing probes, the interior ministry had renewed IRF&#39;s &nbsp;FCRA licence last month. Consequently, the head of the foreigners division of the ministry looking after the FCRA-related issues, and three other official , joint secretary GK Dwivedi, and three other officials were suspended for the &#39;goof-up&#39;.&nbsp; 
 
Meanwhile, Naik&#39;s NGO on Friday said it had made a donation of Rs 50 lakh to Rajiv Gandhi Foundation (RGF) owned by Congress, one of the oldest political party in the country. The statement has raked a political debate with Congress trying to refute the claims by saying that the money went to an allied organisation and it was returned. 
 
Naik has been accused of radicalising and attracting youths for terror acts.&nbsp; 
 
The controversial preacher has come under the scanner of the security agencies after Bangladeshi newspaper &#39;Daily Star&#39; had reported that one of the attackers of the July 1 terror strike in Dhaka, Rohan Imtiaz, was influenced by Naik&#39;s preachings.&nbsp; 
 
A popular but controversial Islamic orator, Naik is banned in the UK and Canada for his hate speeches aimed against other religions. He is among 16 banned Islamic scholars in Malaysia. Peace TV, run by Naik, was also banned after the Dhaka cafe siege.&nbsp; 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

The NGO, based in the western Mumbai city, will now have to seek prior permission before receiving foreign funds

Indian interior ministry has put controversial preacher Zakir Naik's NGO Islamic Research Foundation in the 'prior permission list', which bars it from receiving foreign funds directly. The interior ministry has asked the central banking institution, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to seek prior permission from it before releasing any money to the NGO based in the western Mumbai city. The decision comes in the wake of a preliminary inquiry conducted by the Indian interior ministry that found that the NGO was carrying out activities contrary to the Foreign Contribution Regulations Act (FCRA) under which it has to function, according to Indian news agency PTI. Despite several ongoing probes, the interior ministry had renewed IRF's FCRA licence last month. Consequently, the head of the foreigners division of the ministry looking after the FCRA-related issues, and three other official , joint secretary GK Dwivedi, and three other officials were suspended for the 'goof-up'. Meanwhile, Naik's NGO on Friday said it had made a donation of Rs 50 lakh to Rajiv Gandhi Foundation (RGF) owned by Congress, one of the oldest political party in the country. The statement has raked a political debate with Congress trying to refute the claims by saying that the money went to an allied organisation and it was returned. Naik has been accused of radicalising and attracting youths for terror acts. The controversial preacher has come under the scanner of the security agencies after Bangladeshi newspaper 'Daily Star' had reported that one of the attackers of the July 1 terror strike in Dhaka, Rohan Imtiaz, was influenced by Naik's preachings. A popular but controversial Islamic orator, Naik is banned in the UK and Canada for his hate speeches aimed against other religions. He is among 16 banned Islamic scholars in Malaysia. Peace TV, run by Naik, was also banned after the Dhaka cafe siege. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Indian interior ministry puts controversial preacher Zakir Naik's NGO on prior permission list

In an unprecedented move, 15 joint secretaries serving in the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Tuesday met Home Minister Rajnath Singh and urged him to reconsider the decision to suspend senior IAS officer G K Dwivedi for renewing the FCRA licence of controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik&#39;s NGO. 
 
They conveyed to the Home Minister that Dwivedi, who was serving as Joint Secretary (Foreigners) in the Home Ministry, has been &quot;wrongly punished&quot; for the alleged lapses of his juniors, who reportedly facilitated the renewal of FCRA licence of Naik&#39;s Islamic Research Foundation (IRF). Sources said the senior officers, mostly belonging to IAS, told the Home Minister that Dwivedi is an honest officer and such action sent the &quot;wrong signal&quot; and was &quot;demoralising&quot; for others. 
 
The Home Minister assured the joint secretaries that he will look into the matter, the sources said. Dwivedi also separately met the Home Minister to plead his case. 
 
The move by the joint secretaries is seen as unprecedented as there has been no such happening when the bureaucrats joined hands to stand by one of their colleagues, who faced disciplinary action by the government. 
 
Dwivedi, along with three of his junior officers, was suspended last week after the government found that the FCRA licence of an NGO run by Naik was renewed by the Home Ministry&#39;s Foreigners Division headed by him (Dwivedi) despite several probes against Naik for allegedly radicalising youths and attracting them towards extremism. On Saturday, four joint secretaries had met Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi with the same demand. 
 
&quot;It is demoralising for honest officers. I feel injustice has been done to Mr Dwivedi. We have conveyed our feelings,&quot; Joint Secretary (Police-I) in the Home Ministry Kumar Alok, who was one of the four officers, had told PTI when asked whether he had met the Union Home Secretary pleading Dwivedi&#39;s case. 
 
(PTI) 
 
&nbsp;

GK Dwivedi was suspended after the government found that the FCRA licence of an NGO run by Naik was renewed by the Home Ministry's Foreigners Division headed by him

In an unprecedented move, 15 joint secretaries serving in the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Tuesday met Home Minister Rajnath Singh and urged him to reconsider the decision to suspend senior IAS officer G K Dwivedi for renewing the FCRA licence of controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik's NGO. They conveyed to the Home Minister that Dwivedi, who was serving as Joint Secretary (Foreigners) in the Home Ministry, has been "wrongly punished" for the alleged lapses of his juniors, who reportedly facilitated the renewal of FCRA licence of Naik's Islamic Research Foundation (IRF). Sources said the senior officers, mostly belonging to IAS, told the Home Minister that Dwivedi is an honest officer and such action sent the "wrong signal" and was "demoralising" for others. The Home Minister assured the joint secretaries that he will look into the matter, the sources said. Dwivedi also separately met the Home Minister to plead his case. The move by the joint secretaries is seen as unprecedented as there has been no such happening when the bureaucrats joined hands to stand by one of their colleagues, who faced disciplinary action by the government. Dwivedi, along with three of his junior officers, was suspended last week after the government found that the FCRA licence of an NGO run by Naik was renewed by the Home Ministry's Foreigners Division headed by him (Dwivedi) despite several probes against Naik for allegedly radicalising youths and attracting them towards extremism. On Saturday, four joint secretaries had met Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi with the same demand. "It is demoralising for honest officers. I feel injustice has been done to Mr Dwivedi. We have conveyed our feelings," Joint Secretary (Police-I) in the Home Ministry Kumar Alok, who was one of the four officers, had told PTI when asked whether he had met the Union Home Secretary pleading Dwivedi's case. (PTI)

Zakir Naik's NGO licence: IAS officers ask India's home minister to reconsider colleague's suspension

A Mumbai police report which indicts controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik for provocative speeches and involvement in unlawful activities has been forwarded to the the central government, a top government official in western Indian state of Maharashtra said today.&nbsp; 
 
The televangelist&#39;s preachings are believed to have inspired some of the gunmen who attacked a Dhaka cafe in Bangladesh last month, leaving 22 people dead. 
 
&quot;The report submitted to the state government by Mumbai Police was in Marathi. We have translated the 71-page report into English and forwarded it to the union home ministry two days ago,&quot; additional chief secretary (Home) K P Bakshi told the press. 
 
He added that the findings had also been sent to the state Law and Judiciary Department for its views on initiating action against the 50-year-old televangelist. 
 
The Mumbai Police, who were asked to probe whether Naik&#39;s past speeches available online could have motivated youth to join terrorist outfits, submitted its report to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis earlier this month.&nbsp; 
 
Fadnavis, who also holds the home portfolio, had disclosed that the report indicted Naik for &#39;unlawful activities&#39; and delivering &#39;provocative speeches.&#39; 
 
The city police was also conducting an inquiry along with other probe agencies into the functioning of Mumbai-based Islamic Research Foundation (IRF), founded by Naik, and scrutinising its funds from various parts of the world. 
 
Naik had a lengthy interaction with Indian media via Skype from Saudi Arabia on July 15 during which he rubbished the charge that his sermons had inspired terror activities. 
 
Stating that he was a &quot;messenger of peace&quot;, the physician-turned-preacher had accused the media of running a trial against him by highlighting &quot;unverified&quot; reports and &quot;doctored&quot; clippings. 
 
(WION with inputs from PTI)

Zakir Naik's preachings are believed to have inspired some of the gunmen who attacked a Dhaka cafe in Bangladesh last month, leaving 22 dead

A Mumbai police report which indicts controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik for provocative speeches and involvement in unlawful activities has been forwarded to the the central government, a top government official in western Indian state of Maharashtra said today. The televangelist's preachings are believed to have inspired some of the gunmen who attacked a Dhaka cafe in Bangladesh last month, leaving 22 people dead. "The report submitted to the state government by Mumbai Police was in Marathi. We have translated the 71-page report into English and forwarded it to the union home ministry two days ago," additional chief secretary (Home) K P Bakshi told the press. He added that the findings had also been sent to the state Law and Judiciary Department for its views on initiating action against the 50-year-old televangelist. The Mumbai Police, who were asked to probe whether Naik's past speeches available online could have motivated youth to join terrorist outfits, submitted its report to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis earlier this month. Fadnavis, who also holds the home portfolio, had disclosed that the report indicted Naik for 'unlawful activities' and delivering 'provocative speeches.' The city police was also conducting an inquiry along with other probe agencies into the functioning of Mumbai-based Islamic Research Foundation (IRF), founded by Naik, and scrutinising its funds from various parts of the world. Naik had a lengthy interaction with Indian media via Skype from Saudi Arabia on July 15 during which he rubbished the charge that his sermons had inspired terror activities. Stating that he was a "messenger of peace", the physician-turned-preacher had accused the media of running a trial against him by highlighting "unverified" reports and "doctored" clippings. (WION with inputs from PTI)

Controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik was involved in unlawful activities: Maharashtra to Indian government

The Bangladesh government today said that it has issued orders to stop the broadcast of controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik&#39;s speeches.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;We have issued orders to completely stop the broadcast of Zakir Naik&#39;s speeches,&quot; &nbsp;Bangladesh information minister Hasanul Haq Inu said.&nbsp;
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We have issued orders to completely stop the broadcast of Zakir Naiks&#39;s speeches: Bangladesh Information minister, Hasanul Haq Inu.
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/766519327545708544">August 19, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="~/platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript"></script></div>
 
The move comes amid speculations that suspected Islamist extremists have been inspired by Naik.&nbsp; 
 
Last month, Bangladesh had banned Naik&#39;s Peace TV, the international channel which broadcasts his speeches and other Islamic programmes, following media reports that two of the Dhaka cafe attackers were followers of the controversial preacher. 
 
(Agencies)&nbsp;

The move comes amid speculations that suspected Islamist extremists have been inspired by Naik

The Bangladesh government today said that it has issued orders to stop the broadcast of controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik's speeches. "We have issued orders to completely stop the broadcast of Zakir Naik's speeches," Bangladesh information minister Hasanul Haq Inu said. We have issued orders to completely stop the broadcast of Zakir Naiks's speeches: Bangladesh Information minister, Hasanul Haq Inu. — ANI (@ANI_news) August 19, 2016 The move comes amid speculations that suspected Islamist extremists have been inspired by Naik. Last month, Bangladesh had banned Naik's Peace TV, the international channel which broadcasts his speeches and other Islamic programmes, following media reports that two of the Dhaka cafe attackers were followers of the controversial preacher. (Agencies)

Zakir Naik's speeches not to be broadcast in Bangladesh

A joint team of Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad and Kerala Police arrested a youth in India yesterday allegedly associated with controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik&#39;s foundation in connection with a case registered in Kochi in India&#39;s southern Kerala state. 
 
A senior police official said Arshid Qureshi, who was associated with Naik&#39;s IRF Foundation, was nabbed from Navi Mumbai in Maharashtra in western India. 
 
Qureshi was held after the police raided a flat in Seawoods, reported The Times of India. 
 
According to the report, Ebin Jacob (25), the brother of Merin alias Mariam, who is missing along with her husband, Bestin Vincent alias Yahia, from Kerala, had told police that there was an attempt to forcibly convert him to Islam and make him join the Islamic State. Ebin had told Kochi police that Bestin and Qureshi were behind the attempted conversion. 
 
A case under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 120 B (criminal conspiracy) and 153 A (promoting enmity between groups) as well as under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act was registered in Kochi. He was produced before the Belapur court in Navi Mumbai which granted Kerala Police his transit remand till July 25. 
 
Kerala Police will now produce him in a court in Kochi. 
 
At least 21 youth from Kerala have gone missing in the past one month and their families suspect they may have joined the Islamic State. The families of the youths, including a couple, have not heard from them for the past one month and fear that they have been radicalised after having gone to West Asia for religious studies. 
 
(WION)&nbsp;

Arshid Qureshi was nabbed from a Mumbai suburb after the brother of a missing Kerala man reported a forced conversion attempt to the police

A joint team of Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad and Kerala Police arrested a youth in India yesterday allegedly associated with controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik's foundation in connection with a case registered in Kochi in India's southern Kerala state. A senior police official said Arshid Qureshi, who was associated with Naik's IRF Foundation, was nabbed from Navi Mumbai in Maharashtra in western India. Qureshi was held after the police raided a flat in Seawoods, reported The Times of India. According to the report, Ebin Jacob (25), the brother of Merin alias Mariam, who is missing along with her husband, Bestin Vincent alias Yahia, from Kerala, had told police that there was an attempt to forcibly convert him to Islam and make him join the Islamic State. Ebin had told Kochi police that Bestin and Qureshi were behind the attempted conversion. A case under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 120 B (criminal conspiracy) and 153 A (promoting enmity between groups) as well as under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act was registered in Kochi. He was produced before the Belapur court in Navi Mumbai which granted Kerala Police his transit remand till July 25. Kerala Police will now produce him in a court in Kochi. At least 21 youth from Kerala have gone missing in the past one month and their families suspect they may have joined the Islamic State. The families of the youths, including a couple, have not heard from them for the past one month and fear that they have been radicalised after having gone to West Asia for religious studies. (WION)

Controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik's aide arrested for allegedly recruiting youth for IS

Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, who is currently under scanner of Indian security agencies for allegedly making inflammatory speeches, is likely not to return to India anytime soon. 
 
The Islamic preacher was supposed to hold a press conference in Mumbai this week in order to &quot;clarify allegations levelled against him&quot;, however, sources close to Naik confirmed to DNA that the Islamic preacher would at least take another three-four weeks before he returns. 
&nbsp; 
According to the sources, Naik had left India for an Islamic pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia in the month of May, and was supposed to go to three African countries to deliver lectures. Officials working for the 51-year-old preacher said that Naik&#39;s itinerary was planned more that two months ago. 
&nbsp; 
&quot;Dr Naik left India a long time ago to perform Umrah, in fact, in April this year he was in Malaysia. Currently he is in Medina following which he would be traveling to Mecca and then finally to Jeddah as part of Umrah. After Dr. Naik has performed the pilgrimage, he is supposed to deliver lectures in three African countries, and then only he will be able to return to his home country. No investigating agencies have approached Dr Naik till now and if they do, we would certainly try our best to cut-short the visitations in Africa and co-operate with security agencies,&quot; said a close aide of the preacher.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
The aide further went on to say that Zakir Naik&#39;s plans to travel through Africa were made earlier this year and had nothing to do with what had been reported about Dhaka attackers being influenced by the preachers speeches. 
&nbsp; 
&nbsp;&quot;Dr Naik was not supposed to return up until next month, but he had decided to clear the allegation leveled against him through a press conference. Due to time constraint the press conference was cancelled but Dr Naik then decided to interact with the media through skype. We had booked the Trident hotel in Mumbai for the presser, but due to so much negativity and aggression shown towards him by the media, Dr Naik decided it would be best to have a face-to-face interaction instead as he believed it is the only way to clear the air completely,&quot; the aide added. 
&nbsp; 
Naik had come under the scanner of the Indian government after reports emerged that two among a group of attackers, who killed 22 in Dhaka caf? last week, were allegedly inspired by his speeches. The issue snowballed further when Ibrahim Yazdani, an &nbsp;ISIS suspect arrested by National Investigation Agency, during questioning revealed that he too used to listen to Dr Naik&#39;s speeches. DNA had earlier reported that Yazdani in year 2010, attended the annual peace conference of Dr Naik.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
An NIA official speaking to DNA said that the agency is looking into reports of the preacher delivering alleged inflammatory speeches and action would be taken only if required. According to another senior NIA official, interrogation reports of about 38 suspected IS sympathisers and alleged operatives, who have been arrested from across the country in the last two years, are being re-examined by agency sleuths investigating these cases. This is to fish out a list of Muslim preachers mentioned by suspects during their interrogation.&nbsp;

He was to hold a presser in Mumbai this week to 'clarify allegations against him', but not likely to return before 3-4 weeks, say sources

Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, who is currently under scanner of Indian security agencies for allegedly making inflammatory speeches, is likely not to return to India anytime soon. The Islamic preacher was supposed to hold a press conference in Mumbai this week in order to "clarify allegations levelled against him", however, sources close to Naik confirmed to DNA that the Islamic preacher would at least take another three-four weeks before he returns. According to the sources, Naik had left India for an Islamic pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia in the month of May, and was supposed to go to three African countries to deliver lectures. Officials working for the 51-year-old preacher said that Naik's itinerary was planned more that two months ago. "Dr Naik left India a long time ago to perform Umrah, in fact, in April this year he was in Malaysia. Currently he is in Medina following which he would be traveling to Mecca and then finally to Jeddah as part of Umrah. After Dr. Naik has performed the pilgrimage, he is supposed to deliver lectures in three African countries, and then only he will be able to return to his home country. No investigating agencies have approached Dr Naik till now and if they do, we would certainly try our best to cut-short the visitations in Africa and co-operate with security agencies," said a close aide of the preacher. The aide further went on to say that Zakir Naik's plans to travel through Africa were made earlier this year and had nothing to do with what had been reported about Dhaka attackers being influenced by the preachers speeches. "Dr Naik was not supposed to return up until next month, but he had decided to clear the allegation leveled against him through a press conference. Due to time constraint the press conference was cancelled but Dr Naik then decided to interact with the media through skype. We had booked the Trident hotel in Mumbai for the presser, but due to so much negativity and aggression shown towards him by the media, Dr Naik decided it would be best to have a face-to-face interaction instead as he believed it is the only way to clear the air completely," the aide added. Naik had come under the scanner of the Indian government after reports emerged that two among a group of attackers, who killed 22 in Dhaka caf? last week, were allegedly inspired by his speeches. The issue snowballed further when Ibrahim Yazdani, an ISIS suspect arrested by National Investigation Agency, during questioning revealed that he too used to listen to Dr Naik's speeches. DNA had earlier reported that Yazdani in year 2010, attended the annual peace conference of Dr Naik. An NIA official speaking to DNA said that the agency is looking into reports of the preacher delivering alleged inflammatory speeches and action would be taken only if required. According to another senior NIA official, interrogation reports of about 38 suspected IS sympathisers and alleged operatives, who have been arrested from across the country in the last two years, are being re-examined by agency sleuths investigating these cases. This is to fish out a list of Muslim preachers mentioned by suspects during their interrogation.

Islamic preacher Zakir Naik not to return to India soon

Bangladesh government today banned the broadcast of India-based controversial preacher Zakir Naik&#39;s Peace TV channel after reports that his &quot;provocative&quot; speeches inspired some of the militants who carried out the Dhaka cafe attack in one of the worst terror strikes in the country.&nbsp; 
 
Amid speculations that recent terror attacks were perpetrated by &#39;well-educated&#39; millitants, the government also called upon educational institutions to share a list of &#39;absent students&#39; in a bid to keep a track on youth.&nbsp; 
 
Government appeals imams to deliver lectures to propogate &#39;real Islamic ideology&#39;&nbsp; 
 
The decision to ban the Mumbai-based preacher&#39;s &#39;Peace TV Bangla&#39; was taken during a special meeting of the cabinet committee on law and order, Bangladesh industry minister Amir Hossain Amu, who chaired the meeting, said. 
 
It was also decided to monitor the sermons given during the Friday prayers to check whether any provocative lectures are delivered, Amu told reporters. 
 
Naik&#39;s speeches are believed to have inspired some of the Bangladeshi militants, who killed 22, mostly foreigners, at an upscale restaurant in Dhaka&#39;s Gulshan neighbourhood on July 1. 
 
The government also appealed to the imams in the country to deliver lectures in line with real Islamic ideology of denouncing terorism and extremism, the minister said. 
 
Besides senior ministers, the meeting was attended by chief of police and head of the elite Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), paramilitary border guards and top officials of different security agencies. 
 
Deployment of additional security forces at export processing zone was also ordered. 
 
Interior minister Asaduzzaman Khan had yesterday said that Bangladesh&#39;s intelligence agencies were investigating the Islamic preacher Naik. 
 
&quot;He is on our security scanner. Our intelligence agencies are investigating his activities as his lectures appeared provocative,&quot; Khan said. 
 
Khan said the investigators were also probing Naik&#39;s financial transactions in Bangladesh.&nbsp; 
 
Create a list on absent students: PM tells educational institutions 
 
Three of the alleged jihadists who participated in an attack on a Dhaka cafe last week attended top schools and universities in the Bangladeshi capital, according to reports. 
 
The revelation that the attackers were educated, well-off members of society has sparked fears that Islamism has spread far beyond disenfranchised youngsters being radicalised in madrasas. 
 
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina earlier in the day called on every school, college and university to &quot;create a list of absent students and publish it&quot;. 
 
&quot;We will be rigorous,&quot; the premier said and added, &quot;We must uproot militancy and terrorism from Bangladesh.&quot; 
 
School authorities would now have to provide information on any students who have an unexplained absence of 10 days or more, education minister Nurul Islam Nahid said.&nbsp; 
 
It may also be recalled that another student of a well-regarded university participated in a deadly attack in northern Bangladesh on Thursday that killed at least three people at a huge prayer gathering marking the start of Eid. 
 
Police said both attacks were carried out by a banned local militant group, despite vocal claims from the Islamic State group that they were responsible for the siege at the Dhaka cafe. 
 
Authorities, meanwhile, have launched a publicity blitz, urging parents to closely monitor their children. Television channels have broadcast photos of missing students and advertisements to deter extremism. 
 
US Assistant Secretary of State Nisha Biswal flew to Dhaka Sunday to discuss the security situation with Bangladesh foreign minister Mahmood Ali. 
 
She offered US expertise in building Bangladesh`s counterterrorism capabilities, the American embassy in Dhaka said in a statement. 
 
&quot;We will continue our assistance in combatting the global threat of terrorism that our countries both confront,&quot; she said.&nbsp; 
 
(Agencies)&nbsp;

PM Sheikh Hasina called on educational institutions to create lists of students on 'unexplained leave' of 10 days or more

Bangladesh government today banned the broadcast of India-based controversial preacher Zakir Naik's Peace TV channel after reports that his "provocative" speeches inspired some of the militants who carried out the Dhaka cafe attack in one of the worst terror strikes in the country. Amid speculations that recent terror attacks were perpetrated by 'well-educated' millitants, the government also called upon educational institutions to share a list of 'absent students' in a bid to keep a track on youth. Government appeals imams to deliver lectures to propogate 'real Islamic ideology' The decision to ban the Mumbai-based preacher's 'Peace TV Bangla' was taken during a special meeting of the cabinet committee on law and order, Bangladesh industry minister Amir Hossain Amu, who chaired the meeting, said. It was also decided to monitor the sermons given during the Friday prayers to check whether any provocative lectures are delivered, Amu told reporters. Naik's speeches are believed to have inspired some of the Bangladeshi militants, who killed 22, mostly foreigners, at an upscale restaurant in Dhaka's Gulshan neighbourhood on July 1. The government also appealed to the imams in the country to deliver lectures in line with real Islamic ideology of denouncing terorism and extremism, the minister said. Besides senior ministers, the meeting was attended by chief of police and head of the elite Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), paramilitary border guards and top officials of different security agencies. Deployment of additional security forces at export processing zone was also ordered. Interior minister Asaduzzaman Khan had yesterday said that Bangladesh's intelligence agencies were investigating the Islamic preacher Naik. "He is on our security scanner. Our intelligence agencies are investigating his activities as his lectures appeared provocative," Khan said. Khan said the investigators were also probing Naik's financial transactions in Bangladesh. Create a list on absent students: PM tells educational institutions Three of the alleged jihadists who participated in an attack on a Dhaka cafe last week attended top schools and universities in the Bangladeshi capital, according to reports. The revelation that the attackers were educated, well-off members of society has sparked fears that Islamism has spread far beyond disenfranchised youngsters being radicalised in madrasas. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina earlier in the day called on every school, college and university to "create a list of absent students and publish it". "We will be rigorous," the premier said and added, "We must uproot militancy and terrorism from Bangladesh." School authorities would now have to provide information on any students who have an unexplained absence of 10 days or more, education minister Nurul Islam Nahid said. It may also be recalled that another student of a well-regarded university participated in a deadly attack in northern Bangladesh on Thursday that killed at least three people at a huge prayer gathering marking the start of Eid. Police said both attacks were carried out by a banned local militant group, despite vocal claims from the Islamic State group that they were responsible for the siege at the Dhaka cafe. Authorities, meanwhile, have launched a publicity blitz, urging parents to closely monitor their children. Television channels have broadcast photos of missing students and advertisements to deter extremism. US Assistant Secretary of State Nisha Biswal flew to Dhaka Sunday to discuss the security situation with Bangladesh foreign minister Mahmood Ali. She offered US expertise in building Bangladesh`s counterterrorism capabilities, the American embassy in Dhaka said in a statement. "We will continue our assistance in combatting the global threat of terrorism that our countries both confront," she said. (Agencies)

Bangladesh bans broadcast of Islamic preacher Zakir Naik's Peace TV, wants students tracked

The government is examining speeches of controversial Indian Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, and has issued necessary orders in this regard, said India&#39;s interior minister Rajnath Singh today. 
 
Singh was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) Anti-Drugs Working Group meeting in New Delhi. 
 
&quot;We have taken cognisance of Zakir Naik&#39;s speeches and have issued necessary orders in this regard. The CDs of his speeches are being thoroughly examined. Whatever is justified will be done. I want to assure you that as far as the government of India is concerned, we will not compromise on terrorism under any circumstance,&quot; said Singh. 
 
The regional government of India&#39;s western state Maharashtra yesterday ordered a probe into the speeches by the Muslim televangelist. 
 
&quot;I have asked the Mumbai Police commissioner to conduct a probe (into Naik&#39;s speeches) and submit a report,&quot; Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis told PTI. 
 
India&#39;s information and broadcasting minister, M Venkaiah Naidu said Naik&#39;s speeches were highly objectionable. 
 
Naik has come under the scanner following revelations that one of the attackers involved in the assault in a restaurant in Dhaka last week was influenced by his speeches. 
 
According to a national daily of Bangladesh, an attacker, Rohan Imtiaz - the son of a politician of country&#39;s ruling Awami League - had even written a post on Facebook last year quoting Naik. 
 
Naik, however, had released a statement, saying he &quot;totally disagreed&quot; that he inspired the act of killing innocent people in Dhaka. 
 
&quot;There is not a single talk of mine where I encouraged one to kill another, whether Muslim or non-Muslim,&quot; he said. 
 
Six gunmen stormed a restaurant in Dhaka&#39;s diplomatic zone late on July 01 and killed 20 people, most of them foreigners from Italy, Japan, India and the United States, in an assault claimed by Islamic State. 
 
It was one of the deadliest militant attacks to date in Bangladesh. 
 
Meanwhile, police and anti-riot forces were deployed outside the offices of Naik&#39;s Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) in Mumbai city as a precautionary measure. 
 
Naik&#39;s speeches are broadcast across the Indian sub-continent through his Peace TV with a viewership of at least 100 million, said media reports. 
 
Naik already faces a ban in the United Kingdom, Canada and Malaysia. He has made several controversial statements in the past. In a statement from 2006, Naik was caught on camera telling Muslims it was acceptable to embrace terrorism in certain instances. 
 
The radical preacher had also supported once dreaded militant Osama bin Laden in one of his speeches. Naik is also of the idea that homosexuals should be awarded death sentence. 
 
(Agencies)

Indian minister said Zakir Naik's speeches were being thoroughly examined and that 'whatever is justified will be done'

The government is examining speeches of controversial Indian Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, and has issued necessary orders in this regard, said India's interior minister Rajnath Singh today. Singh was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) Anti-Drugs Working Group meeting in New Delhi. "We have taken cognisance of Zakir Naik's speeches and have issued necessary orders in this regard. The CDs of his speeches are being thoroughly examined. Whatever is justified will be done. I want to assure you that as far as the government of India is concerned, we will not compromise on terrorism under any circumstance," said Singh. The regional government of India's western state Maharashtra yesterday ordered a probe into the speeches by the Muslim televangelist. "I have asked the Mumbai Police commissioner to conduct a probe (into Naik's speeches) and submit a report," Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis told PTI. India's information and broadcasting minister, M Venkaiah Naidu said Naik's speeches were highly objectionable. Naik has come under the scanner following revelations that one of the attackers involved in the assault in a restaurant in Dhaka last week was influenced by his speeches. According to a national daily of Bangladesh, an attacker, Rohan Imtiaz - the son of a politician of country's ruling Awami League - had even written a post on Facebook last year quoting Naik. Naik, however, had released a statement, saying he "totally disagreed" that he inspired the act of killing innocent people in Dhaka. "There is not a single talk of mine where I encouraged one to kill another, whether Muslim or non-Muslim," he said. Six gunmen stormed a restaurant in Dhaka's diplomatic zone late on July 01 and killed 20 people, most of them foreigners from Italy, Japan, India and the United States, in an assault claimed by Islamic State. It was one of the deadliest militant attacks to date in Bangladesh. Meanwhile, police and anti-riot forces were deployed outside the offices of Naik's Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) in Mumbai city as a precautionary measure. Naik's speeches are broadcast across the Indian sub-continent through his Peace TV with a viewership of at least 100 million, said media reports. Naik already faces a ban in the United Kingdom, Canada and Malaysia. He has made several controversial statements in the past. In a statement from 2006, Naik was caught on camera telling Muslims it was acceptable to embrace terrorism in certain instances. The radical preacher had also supported once dreaded militant Osama bin Laden in one of his speeches. Naik is also of the idea that homosexuals should be awarded death sentence. (Agencies)

India begins probe into controversial speeches of Indian Islamic preacher

The Indian government today indicated it might take action against controversial Indian Islamic preacher Zakir Naik. Naik was followed by one of the five Bangladeshi attackers who killed 22 people at a restaurant in Dhaka. 
 
&quot;Zakir Naik&#39;s speech is a matter of concern for us. Our agencies are working on this. But as a minister, I will not comment what action will be taken,&quot; Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju told reporters here. 
 
Rijiju said India has good relations and mutual understanding with Bangladesh, especially in the matter of co-operation on fighting terrorism. 
 
&quot;Terror can be defeated only through close coordination and by fighting together (against it),&quot; he said. 
 
Bangladeshi newspaper &#39;Daily Star&#39; had reported that militant Rohan Imtiaz, son of an Awami League leader, ran propaganda on Facebook last year quoting Naik. 
 
Naik, in a lecture aired on Peace TV, an international Islamic channel, had reportedly &quot;urged all Muslims to be terrorists&quot;. 
 
Naik, a popular but controversial Islamic orator and founder of Mumbai-based Islamic Research Foundation, is banned in the UK and Canada for his hate speech aimed against other religions. He&nbsp;is among 16 banned Islamic scholars in Malaysia. 
 
He is hugely popular in Bangladesh through his Peace TV, although his preachings often demean other religions and even other Muslim sects, the report said. 
 
Another Dhaka attacker Nibras Islam used to follow two alleged suspected recruiters of Islamic State - Anjem Choudary and Shami Witness on Twitter in 2014. 
 
Shami Witness is the Twitter account of 24-year-old Mehdi Biswas, who is facing trial in India for running propaganda for terror group Islamic State (ISIS). He was arrested in December 2014 following an investigation into his Twitter account, which was last active in August 2014. 
 
Biswas was charged with operating the &quot;single most influential pro-ISIS Twitter account&quot;. 
 
Choudary, a Pakistan-origin British citizen, is now facing a trial in England for breaking the British anti-terrorism law. His Twitter account turned inactive since August 2015 after terror charges were brought against him. 
 
(PTI)

One of the Bangladesh attackers reportedly followed him. Naik is already banned in the UK, Canada, and Malaysia

The Indian government today indicated it might take action against controversial Indian Islamic preacher Zakir Naik. Naik was followed by one of the five Bangladeshi attackers who killed 22 people at a restaurant in Dhaka. "Zakir Naik's speech is a matter of concern for us. Our agencies are working on this. But as a minister, I will not comment what action will be taken," Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju told reporters here. Rijiju said India has good relations and mutual understanding with Bangladesh, especially in the matter of co-operation on fighting terrorism. "Terror can be defeated only through close coordination and by fighting together (against it)," he said. Bangladeshi newspaper 'Daily Star' had reported that militant Rohan Imtiaz, son of an Awami League leader, ran propaganda on Facebook last year quoting Naik. Naik, in a lecture aired on Peace TV, an international Islamic channel, had reportedly "urged all Muslims to be terrorists". Naik, a popular but controversial Islamic orator and founder of Mumbai-based Islamic Research Foundation, is banned in the UK and Canada for his hate speech aimed against other religions. He is among 16 banned Islamic scholars in Malaysia. He is hugely popular in Bangladesh through his Peace TV, although his preachings often demean other religions and even other Muslim sects, the report said. Another Dhaka attacker Nibras Islam used to follow two alleged suspected recruiters of Islamic State - Anjem Choudary and Shami Witness on Twitter in 2014. Shami Witness is the Twitter account of 24-year-old Mehdi Biswas, who is facing trial in India for running propaganda for terror group Islamic State (ISIS). He was arrested in December 2014 following an investigation into his Twitter account, which was last active in August 2014. Biswas was charged with operating the "single most influential pro-ISIS Twitter account". Choudary, a Pakistan-origin British citizen, is now facing a trial in England for breaking the British anti-terrorism law. His Twitter account turned inactive since August 2015 after terror charges were brought against him. (PTI)

Indian government hints it might take action against Islamic preacher Zakir Naik

zakir-naik

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