Hefazat wants abolition of women reform commission, AL's trial
The group will hold nationwide demos on 23 May
Hefazat-e-Islam today (3 May) announced a 12-point demand including abolition of the Women's Affairs Reform Commission and reinstatement of the constitutional declaration of complete trust in Allah.
At a Suhrawardy Udyan rally in the capital, they also demanded trial of the Awami League before the next general elections; repeal of Media Reform Commission's proposal to scrap legal provisions on punishment for blasphemy; and justice for the killing of Chattogram-based lawyer Alif.
Maulana Mahfuzul Haque, nayeb-e-ameer of the organisation, read out the demands.
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The organisation also announced plans to hold nationwide demonstrations on 23 May to press home their demands. Hefazat chief Muhibullah Babunagari made the announcement while addressing the gathering.
Thousands of leaders and activists of Hefazat-e-Islam gathered at the venue to attend their pre-announced rally, to press home their five-point demand including withdrawal of cases filed against their leaders and activists immediately.
The rally began around 9am and ended at 1pm.
Earlier, the Hefazat activists brought out a procession in the Baitul Mukarram area of the capital and chanted various slogans.
Some other demands made by Hefazat are the withdrawal of false cases lodged by the former Awami League government and the release of religious scholars and general people indicted in these cases, the unveiling and trial of those who had played the "terrorist card", and creating diplomatic pressure on India and Israel to prevent further torture of Muslims living there.
The Hefazat demands also include making Islamic teachings obligatory from primary level to higher studies, keeping national security and interests intact by cancelling the decision regarding the "humanitarian corridor" to Rakhine and declaring the Qadiani sect as non-Muslims.
Maulana Abdul Awal, nayeb-e-ameer of Hefazat, said, "We want to make our demand clear – the report published in the name of women's reform has to be thrown into dustbin with its proponents."
Maulana Hazrat Anas, another nayeb-e-ameer of Hefazat, said, "The people who have prepared the report for women's reforms are mentally sick."
Junaid Al Habib, senior vice president and president of Hefazat's Dhaka city unit, said, "The government needs to understand that in a nation with Islamic values, a women's reform commission cannot be established with anti-Islamic people."
Speakers at the rally said Hefazat-e-Islam is prepared to sacrifice lives to protect the sovereignty and independence of Bangladesh but will not tolerate any actions that go against the Qur'an and Sunnah.
They questioned why no investigation commission has been formed to probe the alleged killings at the Shapla Chattar rally while commissions were formed for the BDR mutiny and the July movement.
They said while political cases against members of various political parties have been withdrawn, cases filed during the tenure of what they termed the "fascist" Sheikh Hasina regime against Hefazat leaders and activists remain unresolved.
They demanded immediate withdrawal of all such cases.
Khelafat Majlish Secretary General and vice chairman of Hefazat-e-Islam Ahmad Abdul Quader said, "Trials will have to take place regarding the killings at Shapla Chattar and during the July-August uprising."
"Besides, the trial of the Awami League also has to take place. If these demands remain unmet, we will come to the streets with the entire nation by our side," Quader added.
Mamunul Haque, joint secretary general of Hefazat, said, "We demand that the Awami League be declared a terrorist organisation," he said. "We were brutally attacked by this party at Shapla Chattar. In July and August, thousands of students and citizens were martyred at their hands."
Mufti Jashim Uddin, nayeb-e-ameer of Hefazat-e-Islam, said, "Pluralism cannot be accepted in a country where 95% of people are Muslims. This country has to be run based on oneness or Tawhid."
Addressing the interim government, Jashim added, "We have put you in power so that you can bring the first reform with those who had become victims of attacks and cases while participating in the anti-fascist movement."
