The Jamaat-e-Islami has lauded the actions of Asif Mahtab, whose comments on the national curriculum and a public display of tearing up textbook pages have caused an uproar and who was an adjunct faculty at the philosophy department of Brac University before his dismissal.
Prof Mujibur Rahman, the acting amir of the Jamaat-e-Islami, criticized the government’s education policy in a statement on Tuesday.
Posted on Jamaat’s verified Facebook page, it says: “The fascist single-party government is deeply conspiring to ruin our students’ character by imposing a curriculum devoid of morality and ideals. This curriculum has been rejected by a vast majority of Muslims in Bangladesh, who constitute 92% of the population.”
“In this context, Asif Mahtab has acted like a true idealistic teacher. Driven by conscience, he has strongly criticized homosexuality, echoing the sentiments of the people of Bangladesh. I sincerely congratulate him for his firm stance. By dismissing him, the authorities at Brac University have essentially sided with an education curriculum that is against the national identity. I strongly condemn and protest this decision of the Brac University authorities.”
Furthermore, Mujibur demanded an immediate reversal of the decision to dismiss Mahtab. “I urge the authorities of Brac University to reinstate Asif Mahtab immediately,” he stated.
