Extremist groups have exploited at least £6 million of UK taxpayers’ money: Report

More than 6 million pounds of UK taxpayers' money were given to extremist groups last year, a London-based think tank said in a report, adding that Indian Muslim preacher Zakir Naik has exploited British charities and other organisations for funds and support.

In its report titled Wolves in Sheep: How Islamist Extremists Exploit the UK Charitable Sector, the Henry Jackson Society said extremist groups portray themselves as charities to “exploit” Islamic teachings on charity. It also added that in most cases donors are unaware of such organisation's true agenda.

Although there is no evidence to prove Naik's involvement in terrorism “there are concerns about the radicalisation potential of Naik’s lectures.”

“Naik has had criminal cases registered against him by the Indian police alleging his involvement in the radicalisation of young people, as well as having transferred funds from IRF (Islamic Research Foundation) to Peace TV,” it added.

Peace TV is a channel launched by Naik through which he reaches a reported 200 million viewers. The Indian government banned the channel in 2012.

The report also lamented the absence of a mechanism to stop funds from reaching Islamist extremists “whose views are not illegal”.

“On occasion, the line between the two forms of abuse are blurred, with some charities connected to terrorism also showing signs of extremism, as is seen in the case of some humanitarian aid charities and those with other activities abroad.

“Producing credibility and disproportionate influence in the public domain, the relationships between these charities function like a cartel, with many among the network of Islamist extremist speakers being involved in multiple charities, presenting themselves as representatives of ‘true’ Islam, delegitimising moderate voices and effectively squeezing them out of the market,” it said.

Naik is still the chair of the Islamic Research Foundation International, a UK-registered charity, even though he has been banned from entering UK since 2010. Naik is also wanted by the Indian government for allegedly funding terror groups and spreading hatred through his speeches.

He is currently holed up in Malaysia.