“I adamantly oppose Hajj and Tablighi Jamaat. I am also against Jamaat-e-Islami. But I detest Hajj and Tablighi Jamaat”, said Post, Tele Communications and Information Minister Abdul Latif Siddique at a programme in New York on Sunday.
He also bashed Awami League leader Sajeeb Wazed Joy, also the son of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, journalists and expatriates in his speech.
“Hajj costs a substantial amount of manpower. About two million people are now in Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj. These people has no work, no production. [They are] only causing reduction [in wealth]. [They are] only having meals [inside the country] and spending money [abroad]”, the minister added at an exchange of views with the Tangail Association members at a hotel in Jackson Heights in the city.
He said, “If every year in average one lakh people perform Hajj and they each spend Tk 5 lakh, then the total cost stands at Tk 500 crore.”
He also tried to narrate the history of Hajj. He said, “Muhammad, son of Abdullah, was worried about the people of Arab as they were robbers. He then made an arrangement that his followers will meet in a place each year and that will pave the way to income generation.”
Criticising Tablighi Jamaat Latif Siddiqui said, “Tablighi Jamaat each year brings together about 20 lakh people. It has no specific duty. It just clog up traffics across the country.”
Referring to Sajeeb Wazed Joy, he said, “Why do you often mention Joy? Who is this Joy Bhai? Joy is no one of Bangladesh government. He cannot make any decision.”
He said, “Those who attend talk-shows, are basically talk-man. They jabber in front of cameras as they have nothing to do with.” He even used offensive words to refer to the persons who join talk-shows.
The minister also showed indiscreet behaviour while receiving questions from journalists.
He snubbed a journalist and said, “Should I talk as you wish? I am telling what I think correct. Why have you come here? Who has invited you here?”
Latif Siddiqui’s comments immediately sparked widespread criticism. Expatriates present at the exchange of views condemned the speech of the minister.
The minister’s speech also stunned the Awami League leaders and activists at the programme as Latif Siddiqui rebuffed Sajeeb Wajed Joy.
Later the minister left the spot as many guests expressed their resentment.
Abdul Latif Siddiqui was visiting the United States as a member of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s entourage.
Source: Prothom Alo
