Dhaka, Nov 05 (V7N) – The Bangladesh government has decided not to permit Indian-born Islamic preacher Dr. Zakir Naik to visit the country before the upcoming national election. The decision was made on November 4 during a meeting of the Core Committee on Law and Order held at the Ministry of Home Affairs in Dhaka.

According to ministry sources, an organization had invited Dr. Naik to visit Bangladesh on November 28–29 for a two-day program, with plans for additional engagements outside the capital. However, officials noted that his arrival could attract massive crowds requiring extensive deployment of law enforcement personnel, which is currently impractical as most security forces are engaged in election-related duties.

The committee concluded that Dr. Naik may visit Bangladesh after the national election but not before.

Dr. Naik, founder of the Islamic Research Foundation, has been living in Malaysia since 2016 after the Indian government accused him of inciting extremism and spreading hate speech following the Holey Artisan Bakery attack in Dhaka. He was later granted permanent residency in Malaysia’s administrative capital, Putrajaya.

The meeting was chaired by Security Affairs Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd.) Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury. Other attendees included Public Works Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan, International Affairs Envoy to the Chief Adviser Lutfe Siddiqi, Special Assistant Lieutenant General (Retd.) Abdul Hafiz, Inspector General of Police Baharul Alam, and senior officials from various law enforcement and intelligence agencies.

END/AJ/SMA/