Zakir Naik faces more probes, NGO funding under scanner

TIL Desk/National/New Delhi-Controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik today faced probes by the Centre that covered foreign funding of his NGO Islamic Research Foundation(IRF) and the CDs of his speeches that were reported to have inspired some of the Dhaka attackers. The move by the Centre came a day after the Maharashtra government ordered a probe into the sermons by the 50-year-old televangelist that has kicked up a storm.

The activities of the IRF came under the scanner of the Union Home Ministry amid allegations that funds from abroad received by it have been spent on political activities and inspiring people towards radical views. A senior Home Ministry official said an investigation has been ordered into the activities of IRF, which was registered under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA).

The Home Ministry probe will cover the allegations that foreign funding to IRF was used in political activities and allegations that the NGO’s funds were used to induce people towards Islam and “attracting” youths towards terror, the official said.