Speaking to the Dhaka Tribune, leaders of several Islamic political parties and Hefazat-e-Islam called the sculpture a “Greek idol” and demanded its immediate removal, claiming it was in violation of Islamic principles.
They threatened to launch a movement against the government if their demand is not met.
Secretary General of Islami Oikkaya Jote (IOJ) and the convener of Dhaka city unit of Hefazat Mufi Fayzullah said: “We will go for a strong movement against the government to compel them to remove the Greek idol. We do not know why the government installed that idol there.”
Three top Islamist leaders were working to unite various Islamist parties and organisations to make the movement a success, the Dhaka Tribune found.
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam yesterday organised a discussion programme at the National Press Club auditorium with several Islamic scholars as part of the plan.
Islamist parties will submit a memorandum to the Supreme Court authority within a week, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Nayeb-e-Amir Nur Hossain Kashemi told Dhaka Tribune.
Sources said Nur Hossain Kashemi and IOJ’s Abul Hasnat Amini were working together to unite all Islamist groups on this issue.
Primarily they are in contact with Hefazat-e-Islam Ameer Allama Shah Ahamed Shafi and other parties including Islami Oikya Jote, Islami Andolon, Khelafat Andolon, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, sources said.
Hefazat Secretary General Junaid Babunagari said that as the majority of Bangladeshis were Muslims, they would not tolerate a Greek idol in front of the Apex court.
People of all faiths were against this, he said.
Islami Andolan Bangladesh chief and the Pir of Charmonai Rezaul Karim said if the sculpture was not removed the public would “create a river of blood” in protest.
A Hefazat source in Chittagong, where the group is based, said the Hefazat chief Shafi will hold a meeting and issue a press statement within a few days.
Thursday, April 25, 2024
