Law enforcers have claimed that controversial religious ideology of Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat leader Shaikh Nurul Islam Faruqi was the reason behind his death.
Earlier they highlighted four issues behind the murder – political, family feud, business conflict and religious ideology. But now they claim to have found proofs, which indicate that the murder occurred due to Faruqi's preaching controversial religious ideology.
Meanwhile, Ahle Sunnat at a programme yesterday demanded ban on Peace TV and some other religious programmes in private TV channels claiming that those were instigating militancy. Leaders of the organisation also alleged that Faruqi was killed because of his ideology.
Additional Deputy Commissioner of Tejgaon Division Wahidul Islam told the Dhaka Tribune: “The proofs indicate that Faruqi was killed for his religious ideology. We are working on it and will disclose our findings officially after confirmation.”
He earlier said the police had prepared a list of 20 suspects.
An official, seeking anonymity, said: “It seems that some radical Islamist groups murdered him. Those who oppose Faruqi's ideology killed him.”
He said the law enforcers had found some names of suspects after interrogating Yusuf Majumder, who was detained in Narayanganj along with one Mahmuda Khatun.
Munshi Sabbir Ahmed, inspector of Sher-e-Bangla Nagar police, told the Dhaka Tribune: “The Detective Branch of Police did not find proof on Yusuf's involvement in the killing.”
Faruqi's daughter Tuba said: “There was no family conflict or land-related feud.
“Many people opposed his religious views. He was killed for that reason since we were threatened earlier too. Many people opposed doing Milad Mahfils.”
About Faruqi's several marriages, Tuba said: “Many people are talking about the three marriages of my father. Soon we will arrange a press conference to answer the queries of journalists.”
Faruqi was slaughtered by a group of around six people at his house on August 24.
He used to earn through his Hajj agency business, TV shows, as imam of the Supreme Court mosque and conducting Mahfils.
He was the international affairs secretary of Ahle Sunnat – a Chittagong-based organisation which is known for opposing Jamaat-e-Islami and Hefazat-e-Islam.
Faruqi was also a Presidium member of Islamic Front Bangladesh – a platform of Islamist groups.
In the FIR, Faruqi's son Faysal mentioned that the killers were using different languages. He filed the case accusing some 10 unnamed people.
'Ban on Peace TV'
Ahle Sunnat leaders at a protest rally in Chittagong City yesterday alleged that Faruqi had been killed over conflicts on beliefs and ideologies. They also threatened to go on tougher movement if the killers were not nabbed within September 14.
They demanded that the government impose ban on Peace TV and some other religious programmes claiming that those were inciting militant activities.
Hundreds of leaders and activists of Ahle Sunnat, Islamic Front Bangladesh, Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Sena and other Sunni-belief organisations took part in the rally that held on Laldighi ground in the afternoon.
MA Matin, coordinator of Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat Coordinating Committee, announced that they would form a human chain in front of National Press Club on September 13 with the participation of the country’s Islamic scholars and leaders and activists of the Sunni organisations.
They will hold a grand representative conference in Dhaka on September 14 from where they will declare their next programme if the killers of Faruqi were not nabbed by then.
The organisation will also arrange views exchange meetings and take opinion of Islamic scholars and Sunni organisations across the country from September 4 to September 12.
Since the killing took place, Ahle Sunnat has been claiming that Wahabi and Moududi followers killed their leader.
