“It is a politically motivated decision and goes against justice and freedom of speech guaranteed by the UK’s constitution,” a statement from the organization read.

Conservative British Home Secretary Theresa May said she had barred Naik for inflammatory remarks he was known to have made in the past.

Naik had been due to give a series of lectures in London and the city of Sheffield in northern England.

“Numerous comments made by Dr. Naik are evidence to me of his unacceptable behavior,” May said in a statement.

But IRF refuted May’s allegations and said Naik had been working to promote peace and harmony worldwide.

“We propose to the Indian government to encourage the British Home Office to revoke the exclusion order and permit the peace conference tour of Dr. Naik to continue as scheduled,” the IRF statement said.

“Dr. Naik and the IRF do not promote or justify terrorism at all as it is against the basic tenets of Islam… Dr. Naik often quotes from the Qur’an (Chapter 5, Verse 32) that says ‘If anyone kills a human being, unless it be for murder or for spreading mischief in the land, it would be as if he killed the whole humanity; and if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the whole humanity.”

In her statement May said: “Coming to the UK is a privilege not a right and I am not willing to allow those who might not be conducive to the public good to enter.”

The minister made it clear she had not banned him simply because of his views, which are prohibited under British law.

A Home Office spokesman said the department’s powers were used if an individual expressed views that “foment, justify or glorify terrorist violence in furtherance of particular beliefs” or “seek to provoke others to terrorist acts.”

May’s decision has disappointed thousands of Naik’s fans in Britain and other parts of the world.

“This shows the frustration of Britain. Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world, especially in Europe and other Western countries,” said one supporter, Ayyaz.

“They have branded a person who has been lecturing against terrorism as a terror-instigator. This is ridiculous,” said another supporter.

Naik was scheduled to give a lecture in Sheffield Arena on June 25, Wembley Arena on June 26 and LG Arena, Birmingham on June 27.

All venues were booked weeks in advance, the IRF said.