No more foreign funding for Zakir Naik’s organisation

THE MHA IS ALSO PUTTING NAIK’S OTHER OUTFIT CALLED THE

IRF EDUCATIONAL TRUST IN THE PRIOR PERMISSION CATEGORY

NEW DELHI: Controversial TV evangelist Zakir Naik’s Mumbaibased outfit Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) will no longer be allowed to receive foreign funding.

“We have initiated the process of cancellation of foreign funding license of the IRF,” said a senior home ministry official who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

The MHA issues foreign funding licenses for all NGOs under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA).

Earlier the MHA had put Naik’s organisation in prior permission category under the FCRA which meant all foreign funding of the NGO was to be vetted by the government before it went into bank account of the IRF.

The MHA is also putting Naik’s other outfit called The IRF Educational Trust in prior permission category.

“We are issuing a notice to the trust for putting it under the prior permission category. We want to vet all foreign funding of the trust before it is deposited in outfit’s bank account,” said the official.

Aarif Malik, the IRF spokesman told HT from Mumbai that they yet to receive any communication from the home ministry in this regard.

In its inspection of IRF activities earlier, the home ministry had found that the NGO allegedly violated FCRA norms like non-declaration of foreign funding and putting a part of the funding in fixed deposits.

Besides, the government is also readying a cabinet note on the IRF to declare it ‘unlawful’ under section 3 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

The declaration will mean no person can be a member of the foundation, hold meetings or collect funds for it. The existing assets of the outfit declared ‘unlawful’ can be taken over by the government by appointing a receiver for them.

Naik hit the headlines after it was reported that some of the attackers at the Dhaka Bakery, earlier this year, were motivated by his speeches on Peace TV, which is owned by the controversial preacher. 29 people died in the attack.

Following the attack, the government started a crackdown on his activities, Naik has not come back to India, even to attend his father’s funeral in Mumbai two days ago.