Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh has reiterated the demand to ban the Awami League, citing allegations of genocide, corruption, oppression, and misrule. This demand follows similar calls that emerged after Sheikh Hasina fled the country on August 5.
At a grand rally held on Saturday (May 3) at Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka, Hefazat leaders presented a 12-point charter of demands. The organisation's Nayeb-e-Amir, Maulana Mahfuzul Haque, announced the demands in the presence of senior Islamic scholars, including President Allama Shah Muhibbullah Babunagari.
In his address, Maulana Haque commemorated the victims of the May 5, 2013, Shapla Chattar crackdown and the July movement, mentioning the deaths of 84 madrasa students and teachers. He prayed for the departed souls and expressed solidarity with those injured or disabled.
Hefazat's 12-Point Charter of Demands:
1. Reform of the Women’s Commission: Dissolve the current commission and its alleged anti-Quranic report. Form a new body in consultation with Islamic scholars and devout women representatives, ensuring reforms are rooted in Islamic and traditional Bangladeshi values rather than Western ideals.
2. Restoration of Constitutional Faith in Allah: Reinstate explicit trust in Almighty Allah within the Constitution. The government must abandon pluralistic ideologies and reject concepts such as gender diversity, third gender recognition, and LGBTQ+ inclusion, which Hefazat claims contradict Islamic teachings.
3. Expedited Trials for 2013 and July Incidents: Strengthen the tribunal system to ensure swift justice for the victims of the 2013 Shapla Chattar and July incidents. Trials for Sheikh Hasina and her associates must be completed before the next general election.
4. Ban on the Awami League: Declare the Awami League a terrorist and fascist organisation. Suspend all its activities until proper legal proceedings and justice are ensured.
5. Blasphemy Laws: Enact strict laws against blasphemy and cancel proposed revisions by the Media Reform Commission that aim to weaken penalties for religious insults. Hefazat declared zero tolerance on this matter.
6. Justice for Saiful Islam's Death: Cancel bail and prosecute Chinmoy Das, accused of inciting the murder of Saiful Islam by extremist Hindutva elements in Chattogram.
7. Withdrawal of False Cases Against Islamic Scholars: Dismiss politically motivated and fabricated cases against Islamic scholars, madrasa students, and religious youth. Bring those responsible for 15 years of persecution under anti-Islamist narratives to justice.
8. Diplomatic Stand on Global Muslim Issues: The government must take a stronger diplomatic stance against Israel’s actions in Gaza and India’s treatment of its Muslim minority. Citizens should be encouraged to boycott Israeli and Indian products.
9. Compulsory Islamic Education: Make Islamic education mandatory at all levels of the national curriculum, from primary to higher education, reflecting the identity of a nation with a 90% Muslim population.
10. Reconsideration of Rakhine Humanitarian Corridor: Reverse the government's decision to allow a humanitarian corridor into Myanmar’s Rakhine State, calling it a threat to Bangladesh’s national security.
11. Curbing Missionary Activities in Hill Tracts: Take action against foreign missionary operations in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. Enhance military presence and support peaceful Islamic preaching to promote stability among ethnic communities.
12. Ban on the Qadiani (Ahmadiyya) Community: Officially declare the Qadiani sect as non-Muslim and ban their activities to protect the religious beliefs of mainstream Muslims.
