NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has extended the ban on the Islamic Research Foundation (IRF), founded by preacher Zakir Naik, for another five years under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). According to reports, the government issued the notification on Friday, 13 November 2026.
| What | Ban on the Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) extended by five years under UAPA |
| When | Notification issued on Friday, 13 November 2026 |
| Where | New Delhi (Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India) |
| Who | Ministry of Home Affairs; the IRF, founded by Zakir Naik |
| Why-How | Through a gazette notification under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act |
For readers in India, the notification means the legal restrictions on the organisation continue for a further five years.
What the notification says
News reports citing the Centre state that the Home Ministry issued a gazette notification extending the existing ban on the IRF. The extension runs for five years and is made under the UAPA, the central law under which organisations can be declared unlawful.
The New Indian Express, All India Radio’s Newsonair and DD News all carried reports of the decision. Several video news channels also reported it as an extension of the ban for “five more years”.
Background of the organisation
According to DD News, the IRF was founded in February 1991 in Mumbai by Zakir Naik. The same report states that Naik left India and moved to Malaysia, where he obtained permanent residency.
The details above are drawn from media reports and a Google Alert summary. This website has not independently reviewed the gazette notification itself, and the full grounds cited by the Ministry should be read in the official document.
Key points
- The Ministry of Home Affairs has extended the ban on the Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) for five more years.
- The extension is under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
- The notification was reported on Friday, 13 November 2026.
- According to DD News, the IRF was founded in Mumbai in February 1991 by Zakir Naik.
- Reports state that Naik left India and obtained permanent residency in Malaysia.
- Readers are advised to consult the official gazette notification for the full text.
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