OIC chief lauds Bangladesh Islamic scholars’ role against terrorism

OIC Secretary General Iyad Ameen Madani has appreciated the initiative and work of Bangladesh’s Islamic scholars against terrorism and militancy, the foreign ministry says.

He lauded their work when Convener of Bangladesh Jamiyatul Ulama Maulana Farid Uddin Masud met him on Thursday and handed over a copy of the fatwa, or religious edict, against terrorism and militancy.

The OIC chief left Dhaka on Friday.

Masud briefed him on the counter-terrorist initiative of Jamiyatul Ulama and said the fatwa was endorsed by over 100,000 Islamic scholars to act as a strong counter-radical and anti-terrorist narrative.

They have issued the fatwa, declaring militancy and terrorism in the name of Islam as ‘haram or impermissible’ in the wake of the July 1 terrorist attack in a Dhaka cafe.

The scholars say even funeral prayers of militants are impermissible and those who lose their lives for standing up against militancy will be recognised as martyrs.

The OIC chief arrived in Dhaka on Wednesday night as part of his tour of four OIC member countries in Asia. He met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali, among others. The foreign minister also hosted a dinner in his honour.

Madani visited the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum on Thursday and paid homage the memory of the father of the nation.

He reiterated the OIC’s solidarity with Bangladesh in the fight against terrorism.

During his meeting with the prime minister, he recalled the “historic” decision of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to join the OIC.

He also appreciated Bangladesh’s close association and active role in the OIC.

He lauded “wise leadership” and role of the prime minister in the Muslim world and solicited her role in enhancing OIC rapprochement and contribution to peace and stability of the community, the foreign ministry said.

Madani discussed a wide range of issues including conflict situation, humanitarian situation and challenges such as radicalism, terrorism and violent extremism facing the Muslim world during his meeting with the foreign minister.

Mahmood Ali introduced Ambassador Ismat Jahan to the secretary general as she is going to assume the charges of Permanent Observer of the OIC to the European Union in Brussels in the beginning of September.

Madani visited the Islamic University of Technology, a subsidiary organisation of OIC on Friday before leaving Dhaka.