Islamic hardliner Hefazat-e-Islam chief Shah Ahmad Shafi has made his audience promise to refrain girls from studying at schools and colleges.
He made the statement while addressing in an annual religious gathering as the chief guest at Al-Jamiatul Ahlia Darul Ulum Moinul Islam Madrasa, also known as Hathazari Madrasa, in Chittagong on Friday.
Shafi, also the chairman of Befaqul Madarisil Arabia Bangladesh, the largest Qawmi Madrasa board in the country, said: “Do not let girls study at schools and colleges. At best, you can allow them to study up to fourth or fifth grade. If you let them study any more... You have seen in the newspapers that... If you educate your girl up to ninth, tenth, MA, BA levels then that girl will not remain yours.
“If you educate your girls, other men will snatch away your girls. So, you will have to promise me that you will not let your girls study more.”
He also made the audience promise some other things such as for men to grow beard following Sunnah, offering regular prayers and making girls use veil.
The nonagenarian spiritual leader, as called as Boro Hujur (the eldest scholar) by his followers, Shafi is also the rector of Al-Jamiatul Ahlia Darul Ulum Moinul Islam.