RAB arrests man claiming to be Imam Mahadi

Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) on Wednesday arrested a man from Shahjahanpur, Dhaka, for alleged anti-state propaganda and extremism. The arrested man, Mohammad Moin Uddin, 45, claimed that he was the Caliph Imam Mahadi. RAB 11 Operation Officer Additional SP Shakil Ahmed confirmed the arrest saying: “On Wednesday afternoon, a team of RAB 11 conducted a drive in Shahjahanpur to arrest him. The RAB team found a large number of extremist and anti-state propaganda leaflets along with computers and printers that were used to make them.” Additional SP Shakil said Moin Uddin has been spreading propaganda for a long time. He claimed to be appointed by God as a special envoy, loyal servant of the Caliphate of Islam and says he is Imam Mahadi. He also claimed that he had prepared a Dhaka Charter much like the Medina Charter. According to Moin, Bangla translations of the Holy Quran that are currently available are incorrect. He was writing his own translated version. Moin had many followers who helped spread his anti-state propaganda material aimed at spreading extremism in Bangladesh. He used to anonymously send leaflets to people and organisations, which contained his anti-state extremist views of democracy, said Additional SP Shakil Ahmed. Legal action will be taken against Moin, he added.