{
  "id": 19932208,
  "title": "Centre Extends Ban On Zakir Naik's Islamic Research Foundation By 5 Years",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/14/centre-extends-ban-on-zakir-naiks-islamic-research-foundation-by-5",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-14T05:58:50.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/centre-extends-ban-on-zakir-naiks-islamic-research-foundation-by-5-years"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On Friday, the Union Home Ministry announced the extension of a ban on the Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) associated with controversial preacher Zakir Naik for an additional five years. The extension was made after the ministry determined that the IRF's activities pose a threat to national security and could disrupt peace and communal harmony.\n\nThe ban, which had been set to expire on November 14, was instituted by invoking the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, leading to the IRF being classified as an unlawful association, a decision that was reaffirmed by the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Tribunal. The government believes that the IRF and its leader, Dr. Zakir Abdul Karim Naik, have incited followers to spread religious discord and promote acts of terrorism both within India and abroad.\n\nAccording to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Naik's speeches and statements, disseminated through various media channels, have been deemed objectionable and subversive. They have been encouraging religious disharmony and inspiring individuals to engage in terrorist activities. The MHA warns that if the IRF's unlawful activities are not promptly addressed, it will persist in its divisive actions, reorganize its operatives who are still at large, erode the country's secular fabric, and spread anti-national sentiments.",
  "summary": "The Union Home Ministry on Friday extended the ban on controversial preacher Zakir Naik's Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) for another five years, noting that it has been indulging in activities prejudicial to the security of the country and has the potential to disturb peace and communal harmony. The ministry had invoked the powers conferred by Section 3 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention)…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}