Islami Andolan says Jamaat ‘defaming’ Islam

The Islami Andolan on Friday accused the Jamaat-e-Islami of ‘defaming Islam’ and said the outfit, which opposed Bangladesh’s independence, had an ‘impaired view’ of the religion.

Addressing a rally at the capital’s Motijheel Shapla Intersection, Secretary General of Islami Andolan Prof Maulana Yunus Ahmad said supporting the Jamaat was like ‘siding with the wrong’.

The rally was held to press for the party’s five-point charter of demands.

Speakers at the rally said the Jamaat-e-Islami was a big threat to the nation and its independence.

Maulana Yunus Ahmad said the party believed in ‘Moududi' theory. “This theory cannot even explain Islam properly. That’s why campaign of Islam based on this theory must be stopped.”

“Jamaat and Shibir are creating anarchy across the country, while the other parties are getting the blame. This is defamation of Islam. That’s why they must be resisted,” he said.

The rally kicked off at 2pm with Islami Andolan chief Syed Rezaul Karim alias Chormonai Pir presiding over the public meeting. Closure of roads because of the rally led to traffic snarls on the routes leading to Motijheel.

Motijheel Police Station OC Hayatuzzaman said the rally organisers had assured police that no untoward incidents would take place. “That’s why they were permitted to hold the rally.”

But the roads were closed considering security issues, he added.