District-based Islamic scholars and clerics have so far identified some 103 mosque committees across the country having leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami and other radical groups as members instigating militant activities.
Most of these mosques are located in the northern part of the country. The scholars are now gathering more information about the suspected militant sympathisers and the activities of the mosque committees.
They would inform the law enforcement agencies about the committees and the persons after the 1,00,000 signature campaign against militancy ends. The fatwa involving 11 questions explains the relevant verses of the Qur’an and the Hadiths to discourage extremism and militant activities in the country. The campaign began on January 2.
“We will be able to publish the fatwa after taking signatures of 1,00,000 scholars and clerics within February,” Sholakia Mosque Imam Maulana Md Fariduddin Masud told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.
Farid, also the chairman of Jamaat-e-Ulema, said that after they identify all the suspicious mosque committees, the law enforcers would take necessary action to stop false explanation of Islam.
The 103 mosques were identified in Rajshahi, Chittagong, Chandpur, Rangpur, Bogra, Gaibandha, Satkhira, Sylhet, Gazipur and Dinajpur districts.
According to sources, at least 30 mosques in Rajshahi area are dominated by the Jamaat men. These mosques are located in Mohisalbari, Shalbagan, Bohorompur, Boothpara and Meherchondi areas.
An elderly scholar from Dinajpur told the Dhaka Tribune that they were confirmed about 17 mosques in the district where the mosque committee leaders instigate ordinary Muslims in the name of discussions almost every week.
A well-know scholar of Satkhira said that many mosque committees in the area were dominated by the Jamaat men, but they had got information on 13 mosques. “We are on alert to stop the spread of any kind of false explanation of Islam. Such practice should be stopped,” he added.
The law enforcers too are contacting with the scholars and conducting their own investigation.
“We are getting response from the scholars, and our officials are verifying the information. It may need more time to take legal action,” Md Moniruzzaman, assistant inspector general (confidential) of the Police Headquarters, told the Dhaka Tribune.
