As I understand from today’s press reports – The Gonojagoron Mancha leadership does not see ‘Hifazate Islami’ as an objectionable organization and hence they have no problem meeting the Hefazate islami leadership. The Gonojagoron Mancha has so far shown good will to Hefazate islami by cancelling it’s rally scheduled to be help in Chittagong today. This attitude of Gonojagoron Mancha definitely is in stark contrast with their attitude towards another Islamist group Jamaat e Islami.
Shahbagh Square, Day 2. Image: BdNews24.com
Under current circumstances, when Gonojagoron Mancha is in a Marshal Romel style Blitzkrieg – it is surprising to see that such a hitherto unknown Islamist outfit Hifazate Islami will be able to stop the Blitzkrieg and instead get an invitation from Marshall Romel of Gonojagoron mancha, Dr Imran H sarkar for a sit in discussion.
Hifazate islami is relatively new organization, possibly formed during 2009- 2010 period. Like most other non-Jamaat religious outfits, it is regional- mostly based on Hathazari Madrassa AKA Boro Madrassa AKA Al-Jamiatul Ahlia Darul Ulum Muinul Islam. Hathazari Madrassa/ Boro Madrassa, now 117 years old, with with 50,000 students, is the largest and oldest Kawmi Madrassah in Bangladesh and second largest such Islamic theological Islamic University in the subcontinent. According to Seattle based National Bureau of Asian research – with its impeccable Deobandi credentials, Hathazari madrasa ranks among the top ten madrasas in the subcontinent in terms of its academic standards and reputation. It’s acclaimed theological academic credential and relatively non-political nonviolent academic environment earned the Boro Madrassah and its principal Shah Ahmad Shafi all the reverence in Chittagong.
Hathazari Madrassah Photo: Bakr Bin Aziz
According to Ali Riaz in Faithful education : madrassahs in South Asia the “Boro Madrassah” along with two other large madrasahs including Al-Jamiah Al-Islamiah in Patiya and Jamiatul Uloom Al-Islamia Lalkhan Bazar controls the biggest network of over 7000 Kawmi Madrassahs located all over Bangladesh. This network is led by the principal/ Rector of Boro Madrassah Maolana Shah Ahmad Shafi. Also known as Boro Huzur, this Maolana Shafi commands intense following and respect in Chittagong. It is not very difficult to understand what is the source of Shah Ahmad Shafi’s unflinching clout. Being the Principal/ Rector of Boro Madrassa – he is the mentor of the mentors of almost Islamic theological institutes in Bangladesh and many of the Imams and Muazzins of mosques in Bangladesh.
Shah Ahmad Shafi first came to political limelight when he became Amir of this newly formed Hifazate Islam and joined one fraction of Islami Oikyo Jote and when his disciple students launched violent protest against new education policy, women’s policy and ‘feared’ return to secularism with return to 72 constitution. Their 4 point demands were
Stopping moves for
- Restoration of the ’72 constitution,
- Uniform education policy,
- Equal rights of women,
- Abolishing Kawmi Madrassahs.
Daily star Photo
Today, when the leaders of Gonojagoron Mancha will be seeking the audience of Maolana Shah Ahmad Shafi and discuss their religiosity with Boro Huzur, will the issues of equal rights of women, modern secular education of the new generations and constitutional mandate of secularism be discussed? We know how how die hard, how unflinching uncompromising the Gonojagoron Mancha leaders are about the hanging of Quader Molla and gang. When they meet Boro Huzur, will they be equally resolute about equal rights of women or about our secular education policy?
Source: ALAL ODULAL
Hifazate Islam, according to the latest news, has turned down a request from Gonojagoron Mancha for a talk in Chittagong and called them atheists and non-believers etc.
It’s unfortunate that being a Muslim majority country, the Muslims of Bangladesh should feel threatened about their faith/religion, thanks to the the AL govt.policy of secularism.
Thanks also to the Jamaate Islami party for being a party of opportunists, far away from the true teachings and values of Islam thereby earning them the name of a”terrorists organisation” and ultimately causing their own destruction.
JI can no longer claim to represent Islam or the Muslims of the country the reason for which an organisation like the Hifazate Islam becomes relevent. May Allah (swt) help and guide them and other similar parties/organisations and the Muslims of Bangladesh. Ameen.