‘Shafi sermons being maligned’

Hifazat-e Islam has claimed that a disinformation campaign was on regarding the remarks of its chief Ahmad Shafi.

In a statement on Saturday, the radical Chittagong-based outfit said, “The Hifazat chief has been using a method for his sermons. Giving examples is a traditional method for the rural people. It’s been used for decades.”

It alleged that atheist and anti-Islamic sections were spreading disinformation against the Hifazat chief.

Ahmad Shafi recently faced harsh criticism from most people after a video clip of his sermon at Chittagong’s Hathazari was circulated on social media.

The Hifazat chief had opposed the National Women Policy, including education and employment for women, and what he described as 'public mixing of sexes'.

Shafi, Director General of the Hathazari Madrasa, had spoken of restrictions on what women wear, insisting they should stay at home and take care of children. He also denounced birth control measures.

Critics said his remarks were downright offensive while a women’s platform on Saturday demanded his arrest.

Joining ranks with scores of those who flayed Shafi, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday also said that the Hifazat chief’s sermons were 'disgusting' and 'distasteful'.

However, the Hifazat statement said Shafi’s words which were dubbed indecent could be seen in books, advertisements, health-related fliers and booklets.

Sermons in which these words figured as examples have been used in rural areas for decades but was never called indecent, it added.

“Allama Shah Ahmad Shafi is the pride of Alems in this country. He has been giving direction-based sermons so that Muslims in Bangladesh can live their lives in line with the Islami Shariah,” the Hifazat release said.

It said Shafi has been warning of moral and social depravity because of the 'public mixing of men and women' and using his own style to tell the people about the ill effects of Western culture.

The media release said atheist bloggers and their benefactors had started the campaign of misinformation against Shafi to create confusion out of fear, as Hifazat-e Islam has gained the people’s support.

The Hifazat statement also said that Shafi had not suggested confining women at home but reminded them of their main duty in the family. He also did not say anything against women’s education but had warned of the bad effects of coeducation, the media release said.

Hifazat also claimed that the remarks of its chief were being distorted by the media.