The Surahs used to radicalise militants are greatly misinterpreted and taken out of context, according to Islamic Foundation Director General Shamim Mohammad Afzal.
He made the statement during the launching of a book explaining the meaning of the Surahs and verses in the Qur'an to address this issue, on Tuesday at Lakeshore Hotel.
The book titled “Misinterpretation of Verses by Militants and the Right Interpretation of the Qur'an and Hadith” was written after law enforcers’ repeated discovery of the same verses and Surahs in militant dens used to incite militancy, said RAB Director General Benazir Ahmed.
A sudden rise of militant activities began after the historic Shahbagh Movement in 2013 with the killings of bloggers and free thinkers, foreign nationals that culminated in the Holey Artisan Bakery attack on July 1 last year where 22 people were killed.
Among suggestions on how to curb the rising radicalisation in Bangladesh, Islamic Foundation Director General Shamim Mohammad Afzal asked the government to change the curriculum of madrasas.
The book launch was organised by Rapid Action Battalion (RAB). Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal unveiled the book.
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At the launch, terms like “jihad” were greatly discussed, such as the types and conditions under which one can go to jihad with great emphasis on the internal jihad – one must fight with oneself.
“Although one can pick up arms to fight jihad, there are strict terms under which this can be done,” said Bridges Division Secretary Khandaker Anwarul Islam.
He further explained that to go on armed jihad, one must seek permission from the parents as well as the state since fighting with arms affects foreign relations.
Experts also said the book explains a verse that has often been found in militant dens and is misinterpreted by them.
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The fifth verse of Surah Tawbah is used to legitimise killing non-Muslims but experts from the Islamic Foundation said that this Surah is extremely context specific and cannot be used to explain killing innocent people as the six verses immediately asks for their protection.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) AKM Shahidul Haque also spoke on freedom of expression at the launch, saying: “If someone does not like what is being written about Islam or is offended by it, report it to the police but do not take the law into your own hands.”
Thursday, June 04, 2026
