Maulana Abdul Awal, Ameer of Hefazat-e-Islam and Chairman of its Narayanganj District Committee, has announced his resignation.
He made the announcement before devotees at the Dhaka International Technology (DIT)’s Railway Central Jame Mosque on Monday. A four-minute 13-second video of his announcement was posted on a Facebook group called “Shayakh Mawlana Abdul Awal Sahib Supporter” on Tuesday.
In the video, he is seen saying: “On the day of the protest RAB and police surrounded the mosque in such a way that they would shoot whenever we left the mosque.”
“If they went into action, we could not protect ourselves, we don't have any weapons. For that reason we remained confined to the mango tree area of the DIT mosque. It was later heard that 17 vehicles were burnt on Chittagong Road; the video footage shows who were responsible. Some terrorists have burned the vehicles. Our students were not there,” he added.
“Law enforcement says if you hadn't obeyed us, all those cases would have been filed against you. You would be the number one accused,” he said, adding: “However, neither the law enforcers nor our people understand me. Even the most enthusiastic do not understand.”
“They are asking why I did not disregard all those restrictions on the day of the strike. I will not work for the party anymore, I will stay in the mosque. Those of you who are very enthusiastic, do it, I’m old, sick. I can't walk, can't stand. So, I will no longer lead Hefazat, I will not lead the movement. I will work as a member as long as I can.”
Stating that party workers had sidelined him, Maulana Awal said: "I had arranged prayers here after Asr on Monday. They ignored it and instead went to Deobhog Madrasa to say their prayers.”
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I too have left the leadership in the hands of Allah, and I will not lead. I don't need to be the Ameer of Hefazat, I will survive as an ordinary Muslim.
"I will confirm my resignation at a press conference if necessary," he added.
Hefazat-e-Islam Narayanganj metropolitan president Maulana Ferdousur Rahman said the strike program of Hefazat was a central announcement. Mawlana Abdul Awal could not announce the closure of a central program on his own initiative, but he did so.
“We are sending recommendations to the central committee for his expulsion,” he added.
Incidentally, during the strike called by Hefazat on Sunday, buses and trucks were set on fire at several spots on the Dhaka-Chittagong highway. There were clashes with police while journalists were beaten up. At least 50 people were injured. The 3km road from Signboard intersection to Kanchpur was blocked for almost the whole day.