Jamaat condemns 'display of idols at Eid procession' under government supervision
Thousands of people participated in a celebratory procession after Eid in Dhaka. People from different parts of the capital, irrespective of religion and background, joined the festive event. Many attendees expressed that they had never seen such an Eid celebration in Dhaka before
The Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has condemned the recent "display of idols under the supervision of the government" at a Mughal-style colourful procession by thousands of jubilant Dhaka citizens celebrating Eid-ul-Fitr on 31 March, after the Eid prayers.
Jamaat's Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar made the condemnation in a statement issued on the Islamist party's Facebook page today (2 April).
"During the fascist government's rule, there was no special enthusiasm for Eid among the common people. But this year, Eid has returned as a real Eid among everyone. The government's initiative to celebrate Eid like the Sultanate period has created a new level of joy in our lives," Parwar said at the beginning of his statement.
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However, he said his party was deeply saddened by the display of idols at the rally.
"But participation with idol-like symbols in the Eid procession in Dhaka deeply saddens us. Eid is a sacred festival for the Muslim Ummah, and Islam does not allow the expression of religious joy through idols, statues or any visible form," he said.
"There is no such instance in the history of Islam where the Prophet (peace be upon him), the Companions or the subsequent Caliphs carried idols or statues to celebrate Eid," he added.
The Islamist leader went on to say, "Eid is a matter of our religious sentiment. Turning it into a cultural laboratory is in no way acceptable."
"The attempt to go beyond Islamic tradition and include idol culture has made this government-initiated joyous procession around Eid questionable to the public," he alleged.
He called on stakeholders not to repeat such incidents in the future.
Thousands of people participated in a celebratory procession after Eid in Dhaka. People from different parts of the capital, irrespective of religion and background, joined the festive event. Many attendees expressed that they had never seen such an Eid celebration in Dhaka before.
The procession has been widely welcomed by all across the society, with many praising it for making Eid more joyous for all.
The procession included various statues, including one similar to the legendary myth of Nasreddin Hodja riding a donkey in Ankara.
