Dhaka, Dec 26 (bdnews24.com) – Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish Tuesday described media reports on its election-time deal with the Awami League as false and confusing.
In a statement, Azizul Haque, chief of the Islamist party, described Khelafat Majlish's five-point deal as a historic milestone for peace and non-communalism.
Khelafat Majlish invited opponents of the MoU to talks. "We will cancel the deal if anyone can prove any of the five points hurt any faith."
"Religious harmony without respect to each other is meaningless," he said, defending the controversial memorandum of understanding with the AL that prompted sharp reactions from 14-party allies.
Many of them described the deal as communal.
Leaders of the 14-party alliance said the deal ran counter to the foundations of secular spirit and democracy.
Haque said: "It was seen in the past that fundamentalism was provoked by attacking on religious sentiments.
"We think if communal harmony is to strengthen, attacks on religions have to stop. All have to be tolerant of basic religious beliefs."
"Some opposed the MoU loudly and vehemently, but we want to be just as much humble to say their reservations will ultimately strengthen anti-independence Moududi-Jamaat forces."
He said confusion was created over the "primary purpose of the party" by partially highlighting the fatwa issue in the deal.
In rural Bangladesh, uneducated village leaders and other people under cover of Islam issued fatwa, whipped and tortured women, which Haque described as a violation of human rights.
"Such incidents bring ignominy to Islam. The MoU was signed to stop the violent practice," he said.
Haque said: "The Awami League and Khelafat Majlish initiated a historic move at a crucial time for welfare of people with all faiths."
"But the honest move ran into conspiracy, confusion and misleading interpretations."
He said distorted explanations would benefit the conspirators.
He lauded independence leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as an indisputable leader respectful to all religions.
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