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15 named for fanning communal tension, militancy thru Waz

Published : Sunday, 7 April, 2019 at 12:00 AM  Count : 1772

The government has identified 15 Islamic scholars of the country for spreading communalism, religious fanaticism, hatred against women, militancy and anti-state, anti-democracy and anti-cultural sentiments in their speeches at different 'Waz Mahfils' - a religious gatherings of the Muslims.
In this situation, the Home Ministry has recently sent a letter to the Islamic Foundation of Bangladesh (IFB), National Board of Revenue (NBR) and Divisional Commissioner's offices requesting to take necessary steps to stop such propagandas that can promote religious unrest.
The law enforcement agencies and the authorities concerned that usually observe the religious issues have been requested to monitor their activities properly. If necessary, the authorities including the IFB have also been asked to take legal actions against those persons. CFriticising the government decision, the country's Islamic scholars have urged the authorities concerned not to restrict or control 'Waz Mahfils.' Instead, they urged them to ensure 'sophisticated and healthy' speeches that can enrich the devotees at the mahfil.
They blamed the government for attempting to 'control' the Waz Mahfil through the IFB.
The IFB authority, however, claimed that they have no intention to control Waz Mahfils. Rather, the vested interest groups involved with anti-state and anti-culture propaganda are trying to create panic among the people for achieving their hidden agendas.
According to the Home Ministry letter, the Islamic scholars are Abdur Razzak Bin Yusuf (Salafi), Mufti Mahmudul Hasan of Mohammadpur Jamiaatul Ulumia Islamia Madrasa, Allama Muminul Haque of Khelafat Majlish, Mufti Faizul Karim of Islamic Andolon, Mufti Iliasur Rahman Jihadi of Cantonment's Baitur Rasul Madrasa, Mujaffar Bin Muhsin and Mufti Sakhawat Hossain of Islamic Oikyajote, maulana Matiur Rahman Madani, Maulana Amir Hamza, Maulana Sifat Hassan, Dewanbaghi Pir, Maulana Arif Billah, Hafez Faisal Ahmed Helal and Mohammad Raquib Ibne Siraz.
In the letter, the Home Ministry cited the allegations of using anti-government and anti-culture speeches and asked the authorities concerned to stop such speeches in public meetings.
The Ministry also requested the authorities concerned to take necessary steps against the Islamic scholars who use helicopters to commute between Mahfils and deliver speeches on contracts for the large sum of money. The authorities concerned have also been ordered to scrutiny the matter of their income tax payments. Their speeches should be recorded and preserved, it said.
When contacted, Additional Secretary of the Home Ministry Abu Bakar Siddique told this correspondent that his Ministry doesn't prepare reports. They receive reports from various intelligence agencies. We just inform the related issues by sending letters to related agencies. We had just done it.
Regarding the letter, Islamic Andolon's Ameer Syed Rezaul Karim told journalists that the government should not try to control the Waz Mahfils. Rather, it should take steps to remove the indiscipline prevailing in the sector. In this regard, a board of Islamic scholars should be formed.
If the government takes attempt to control the Waz mahfils without the participation of the Islamic scholars, the result can be even worse.
Islamic Oikyajote's Mufti Faizullah said that the Arabic word 'Waz' means publicity of advice or warning through discussion. This cannot be stopped by controlling. The Islamic scholars cannot be prevented from such publicity. Rather, the propaganda in the name of Waz can be resisted through proper management. Real scholars should also take steps to prevent such propaganda.
"The government's step to control Waz Mahfils and speakers is against the spirit of Constitution, democracy and religion. It would not yield a positive result. Rather, the government can seek explanation or warn any of the scholars, if it feels embarrassed by his speech," claimed Hefajat-e- Islami Organising Secretary Maulana Azizul Haque.
Islamic Foundation Director Nur Mohammad Alam told this correspondent that they are not trying to control the Islamic scholars or Waz Mahfils. The Home Ministry has given them a letter citing some names of Islamic speakers who deliver speeches at different mahfils.
"We are scrutinising the names and the directives that were given by the Ministry. Necessary steps will be taken after evaluation. We have no intention to control it," he added.











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