Bangladesh has reversed its earlier decision to welcome Indian fugitive preacher Zakir Naik, deciding he will not be permitted entry ahead of the national elections. This marks a significant shift from the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government’s previous approval for Naik to visit the country from November 28, a move that contrasted sharply with the long-standing ban imposed by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s administration. Hasina’s government had barred Naik over allegations that his speeches and media content influenced the terrorists behind the 2016 Holey Artisan Bakery attack in Dhaka.
The policy reversal was finalized during a meeting of the Home Ministry’s law-and-order coordination committee, reported Bangladeshi daily Prothom Alo. Security officials warned that Naik’s presence would likely attract extremely large crowds, potentially overwhelming law-enforcement capacity during a sensitive pre-election period. With Bangladesh preparing for its first general elections since Hasina’s exit from power, authorities concluded that managing such gatherings would require extensive police deployment, which they deemed impractical before the polls. Interim chief Muhammad Yunus has indicated the elections are expected around March next year, and officials noted Naik’s visit might only be reconsidered once the voting phase has concluded.
Had the visit gone ahead, it would have been Zakir Naik’s first trip to Bangladesh. His Peace TV network was banned by Hasina’s government after investigators linked one of the Holey Artisan attackers to Naik’s online sermons. Twenty-two people, including an Indian national, were killed in the assault, carried out by militants Bangladesh said belonged to the Neo-Jamaatul Mujahideen group. The attack thrust Naik into international scrutiny: he fled India soon after and has been residing in Malaysia, where he has remained despite New Delhi filing money-laundering and terrorism-related charges and submitting a formal extradition request that Malaysia has not acted upon.
Bangladesh’s initial move to welcome Naik had drawn concern in India, particularly after his high-profile visit to Pakistan last year as an official “state guest”—a privilege usually reserved for dignitaries and heads of state. During that trip, Naik was photographed meeting individuals associated with Lashkar-e-Taiba, including commander Muzammil Iqbal Hashmi, further intensifying regional unease over his activities and networks.
The latest decision underscores Dhaka’s desire to maintain domestic stability and avoid controversial disruptions as it navigates a delicate political transition toward elections.
