Three terrorists involved in July 1 Dhaka terror attack were admirers of Zakir Naik

The three terrorists who were involved in the July 1 terror attack in Dhaka were reportedly admirers of Zakir Naik, founder of Islamic Research Foundation, banned by the government. The Rajya Sabha was informed of it on Wednesday.

"The three terrorists involved in the attack were reportedly admirers of Zakir Naik," Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir said in a written reply.

As per the available information, the mandate of Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) is educational and social but it is also involved in other activities.

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After certain violations f Foreign Contribution Regulation Act were noticed, the IRF was placed under the prior permission category.

The government on Wednesday decided to declare the IRF, an NGO promoted by controversial Islamic preacher as an outlawed organisation under anti-terror law for five years for its alleged terror activities.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the Union Cabinet presided over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The decision came after a thorough probe by Home Ministry found that the NGO was allegedly having dubious links with Peace TV, an international Islamic channel, accused of propagating terrorism.

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The home ministry findings say that Naik, had allegedly made many provocative speeches and engaged in terror propaganda. He is among 16 banned Islamic scholars in Malaysia, who is popular in Bangladesh through his Peace TV preaching.