‘Sayedee misinterpreting Islam in religious sermons’

The head of Jameya Ahmedia Sunnia Madrassa in Chittagong, Mawlana Mohammad Jalaluddin Al Quaderi has alleged that the Jamaat-e-Islami is ‘spreading wrong messages’ in the name of Islam.

He told a press conference on Wednesday that Jamaat-e-Islami leader Delwar Hossain Sayedee had given ‘wrong explanations of Islam’ in several of his religious sermons.

The press conference was held after a plot to kill 10 religious leaders was uncovered in Chittagong. Jalaluddin’s name tops the ‘hit-list’.

Call for a human chain programme on Thursday was made from the presser to protest against the murder plot.

Jalaluddin cited several incidents to substantiate his allegation that Sayedee had ‘mis-informed’ the people.

He claimed they had attempted to contact Sayedee over the ‘wrong teachings’. “But the Jamaat leader never responded.”

Police nabbed eight Islami Chhatra Shibir men, the student affiliate of Jamaat, from Muradpur of Chittagong on Monday in connection with the murder plot.

Jalaluddin said they were not involved in any politics. “Our duty is to serve the religion… We do not think Jamaat is any form of organisation… They are spreading wrong messages in the name of Islam… They are confusing people.”

He said it was up to the government to decide as to whether Jamaat needs be banned. “Law has its own course… Sayedee’s trial will be up to law.”

“We are respectful towards the law… Islam never says to take up law in one’s own hands.”

Police said Shibir man was behind the murder of Ganajagaran Mancha activist Ahmed Rajib Haider. Five North South University students confessed to the murder and admitted the role of a Shibir leader being the ‘mastermind’.

Jamaat unleashed a spate of violence across the country hours after Sayedee was sentenced to death for his role during the Liberation War in 1971. Government said 67 people were killed in the violence.