New Delhi, May 26 (TIWN): Controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, who is being probed by the Enforcement Directorate for money laundering, received crores of funds from unidentified "well-wishers" from several Middle East countries over the years for his speeches that were allegedly used to incite terror activities .

The Islamic Research Foundation (IRF), Mumbai-based charity trust promoted and controlled by Naik, "allegedly received funds in the form of donations and zakat (a form of alms giving in Islam) from domestic as well as overseas donors from countries like the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Malaysia among others," PTI quoted the Enforcement Directorate as saying.

After the National Investigation Agency (NIA) registered a case against Naik in 2016, the ED too filed a case of alleged money laundering. Naik, declared as a proclaimed offender, is known to have sought refuge in Malaysia after the case was registered.