Bangladesh clergy issues statement against leaders of Hefazat-e-Islam

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Bangladesh’s alem-ulemas—religious scholars—have issued a statement blaming the Hefazat-e-Islam for creating anarchy in the country. As many as 51 of them in a written statement blamed the group for creating an unstable situation and anarchy in the name of Islam. They said that leaders of this group are not only dangerous for Islam but also for the country. </p>
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The Bangladesh authorities have come down heavily on members of Hefazat e Islam.</p>
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Several leaders, including those in the top rung like Rafiqul Islam Madani, who was known as "shishu bokta" and Junaid Al Habib, been arrested in connection of violence.</p>
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According to Dhaka Tribune, “the 51 alem-ulemas also added that the main purpose of the statement is to create an unstable environment in the country by using the religious sentiments of the devout Muslim community and to cover up anti Islamic activities and misdeeds of their (Hefazat-e-Islam) leadership at different levels against the country.”</p>
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The Dhaka Tribune report also noted that Hefazat-e-Islam carried out destructive and terrorist activities across the country from March 25-26 in the name of defending Islam on the occasion of the golden jubilee of independence and the birth centenary of Bangabandhu, the statement read.</p>
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The alem ulemas also underlined the need for all citizens and “Muslim brothers and sisters” in the country to be vigilant against all these hypocritical and seditious religious businessmen indicating towards the leaders and supporters of Hefazat-e-Islam, the newspaper reported.</p>
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Meanwhile, many Bangladeshis living in the US also asked Secretary of State Antony Blinken to mark Hifazat-e Islam as a terrorist outfit.  </p>