Courtesy The Daily Star

Clerics, mostly Hefajat leaders, issue ‘fatwa’; DUTA demands stern action against those opposing Bangabandhu’s sculpture

A press conference was held at the Dhaka Reporters Unity, organised under the banner of Top Ulama Mashayekhs of the country”, on Thursday, December 3, 2020. Photo: CollectedStaff Correspondent

A group of clerics, mostly leaders of the Hefajat-e Islam, has come up with a “fatwa” declaring building of idols or sculptures of any person or animal is forbidden in Islam.

They were speaking at a press conference organised under the banner of “Top-level Ulama Masayek of the country” at the capital’s Dhaka Reporters Unity yesterday.

The organisers said the press conference was arranged to issue the “fatwa” for resolving “confusions” among people regarding sculptures and idols. They said the “fatwa” was signed by 95 muftis and maulanas.

While reading out a written statement, Mufti Enamul Haque said the government should take the responsibility of demolishing all the idols and sculptures in the country.

Speakers at the briefing said discussions and criticisms surfaced after the government had recently taken steps to built the sculpture of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in the city’s Jurain area.

Debate is going on both in favour of and against the construction of the sculpture. Confusions are spreading regarding sculptures and idols, they said.

They also said many were commenting on the provisions of the Islamic law relevant to setting up of idols and sculptures. Giving such statements without being fully aware of the Sharia is a sign of irresponsibility and a matter of concern, they said.

Enamul Haque claimed that there was no difference between sculptures and idols of a person or any animal as they are prohibited in Sharia laws. Even if the purpose is not to worship, it is undoubtedly illegitimate and clearly haram and a severe sin, he said.

Hefajat and a few other Islamist organisations, including Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish and Islami Andolon Bangladesh, have recently raised their voice against setting up of any sculpture in the country. They raised the voice after the government moved to build the sculpture of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Hefajat became vocal at different rallies on this issue after Junayed Babunagari became its amir following the demise of Shah Ahmed Shafi in September.

Most of those seated on stage yesterday belonged to Hefajat, a Qwami madrasa-based organisation in Chattogram. They included Hefajat Nayeb-e-Amirs Abdur Rob Yusufi, Abdul Hamid, Nurul Islam, Mahfuzul Haque, Mahfuzul Haque, Joint Secretary Jonayed Al Habib and adviser Maulana Abdul Kalam.

DUTA STATEMENT

Dhaka University Teachers’ Association (Duta) yesterday issued a statement, demanding stern actions against those who are undermining Bangabandhu by opposing the establishment of his sculpture. 

“We are witnessing with grave concern that a fanatic extremist group has been mocking and insulting the Father of the Nation in the name of opposing the construction of his sculpture, which is similar to sedition,” reads the statement.

“We think that a group of people is using Islam as a tool to gain their political mileage and is trying to confuse the common people by spreading confusions over sculptures and idols.

“The people of Bangladesh are traditionally religious and respectful of different views and ways and that they cannot be misled in the name of religion,” it added.

The teachers’ body urged the patriotic people of the country to remain alert.