Jamaat MP Mujibur calls bowing on entering parliament 'un-Islamic'

The Opposition lawmaker says “the practice conflicts with Islamic principles and borders on shirk”

Jamaat-e-Islami MP Mujibur Rahman has objected to the longstanding practice of bowing while entering the parliament chamber.

He has argued that the custom conflicts with Islamic principles.

Speaking on a point of order at the start of Tuesday’s parliamentary sitting, Mujibur said the practice is inconsistent with Islam and came close to Shirk, or associating partners with Allah.

The Opposition MP also called on all members to adhere to the amendment that had been introduced to remove such conduct from the rules of procedure.Addressing Speaker Hafiz Uddin, he said: “I occasionally notice you greeting with salam in a respectful way. We also offer salam and respond. But later on, that slight bowing still remains.

“It is there with you, and also with the deputy speaker.”

"The rule introduced in the rules of procedure to root out shirk -- I think everyone should follow it. It will bring reward, save us from sin, and on the Day of Judgement we will benefit from it," the lawmaker said.

Speaker Hafiz, however, described the matter as one of personal conduct.

"I looked at the rules of procedure and will look again, then comment on this. It is a personal matter for everyone -- some will give salam, some will show respect in other ways. This exists in parliaments all over the world," he said.

The speaker added that he would look into whether the practice had been dropped in the previous parliament and inform the House accordingly.