Imams must not deliver sermons contravening law of the land: High Court

The High Court has asked the imams to remain cautious while delivering sermons so that it does not contravene the law of the land.

The court made the observation in the appeals verdict of blogger and online activist Ahmed Rajib Haider murder case on Sunday, in which the killers were inspired by sermons by another convict.

“An imam's responsibility is to conduct the prayers and propagate Islamic knowledge. They must not give any sermon, which falls beyond the purview of the law," the court said in the verdict.

The students of North South University, who have been convicted of murdering Ganajagaran Mancha activist Rajib in 2013, stated that they were inspired by sermons by Ansarullah Bangla Team chief Mufti Jashimuddin Rahmani.

The High Court upheld the tribunal verdict sentencing Redwanul Azad Rana and Faisal Bin Nayeem Deep to death and six others, including Rahmani, to various terms in prison.

Rajib, an architect by profession, was murdered when Hifazat-e Islam launched a movement declaring bloggers atheists just after the Ganajagaran movement was started.

The tribunal said the killers were inspired by Rahmani's sermons. More incidents of inciting hates through speeches occurred in Bangladesh later.

The government banned Ansarullah Bangla Team after its involvement in several murders of secular bloggers, writers, professors and online activists became evident.

In the appeals verdict, the High Court also observed that there are scopes of bringing someone to justice under the existing law of the country for derogatory remarks on Islam, Prophet Muhammad (Sm) or any religion.

"No one has the right to take the law into his hands. And no one should make derogatory remarks on someone else's religion," the court said.

Rajib's father and Ganajagaran activists are not satisfied with the tribunal verdict for not sentencing six convicts, especially Rahmani, to death. The father appealed for their maximum penalty but failed to get the verdict changed.

About sentencing Rahmani to five years in jail, the tribunal said he did not say anything about his or the others' direct involvement with the murder in his statement.

In the appeals verdict, the High Court said it found no reason to change the decision.

The High Court observed, "The evidence and arguments of the case show all of the convicts, expect for Rahmani, are meritorious students.

"But we have not been able to find why they chose this path. There might be many reasons for that," it said.

The verdict observed that parents must act more responsibly to keep their children 'on the right path’.

"A lot of parents remain busy with their own work. We often do not pay attention to the children."

The High Court verdict's observation comes as a wake-up call for the society to find out why the youths are opting for the militant path, Deputy Attorney General Haque told the media on Wednesday.

He said the court urged parents to give more time and attention to their children.