Bangladesh’s interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, has approved a nationwide tour for controversial Islamic preacher and wanted Indian fugitive Zakir Naik. This decision marks a dramatic policy reversal from the previous Sheikh Hasina administration, which had imposed strict restrictions on Naik and banned his Peace TV network after the 2016 Dhaka terror attack. According to organisers, the tour is scheduled to take place between November 28 and December 20, 2025, and has received formal government approval. The visit will be facilitated by Bangladeshi officials, and Naik is expected to deliver a series of sermons across multiple cities during his month-long stay.
The move reflects a significant departure from Dhaka’s earlier counter-extremism stance and signals a new direction in the Yunus administration’s religious and diplomatic positioning. Under Hasina’s leadership, Bangladesh had taken a hardline approach against radical preachers and banned media platforms promoting extremist narratives. Naik’s Peace TV was specifically outlawed in the aftermath of the 2016 Holey Artisan Bakery terror attack, during which one of the attackers admitted to being inspired by Naik’s sermons.
Zakir Naik has been living in self-imposed exile in Malaysia since fleeing India in 2016. He is wanted by Indian authorities for alleged hate speech, money laundering, and incitement to communal disharmony. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) filed cases against him under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and sections of the Indian Penal Code, now replaced by the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Despite multiple extradition requests from New Delhi, Malaysia has consistently refused to hand him over, citing political and humanitarian considerations.
The decision to host Naik in Bangladesh comes less than a year after Pakistan welcomed him for a similar national tour. During that visit, Naik was seen interacting with members of the banned terror organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), including top commander Muzammil Iqbal Hashmi, Muhammad Harris Dhar, and Faisal Nadeem—all designated international terrorists by the United States in 2008. Verified footage showed Naik embracing these individuals at Lahore’s historic Badshahi Mosque, where he addressed a crowd exceeding 150,000 under heavy security provided by local authorities.
Analysts view the Yunus government’s move as a calculated political signal rather than a purely religious initiative. It reflects a broader effort by the interim administration to strengthen ties with Islamic constituencies and reorient Bangladesh’s foreign policy toward greater alignment with Malaysia and Pakistan. However, the decision has already triggered unease in diplomatic circles and may further strain Dhaka’s relations with New Delhi, which continues to view Zakir Naik as a key propagator of extremist ideology.
By formally approving Naik’s public appearances, Bangladesh’s interim regime risks being seen as legitimising a figure who remains internationally controversial and legally wanted in India. The upcoming tour, therefore, is expected to attract close regional scrutiny and may test the stability of South Asia’s already fragile counter-terrorism cooperation.
