Hefazat-e-Islam a complex and controversial organization with various factions has appeared again in the political arena of Bangladesh to agitate. They are coming out of their shell while BNP-led Jaamat-e-Islam and other Islamic forces are aggressively working on a deep conspiracy to topple the elected Awami League government ahead of the general election.
As we all know, on May 5, 2013, Hefazat Islam staged a day-long rampage at Shapla Chattar in Motijheel in Dhaka in the name of holding a blockade program on the controversial 13-point demand. According to law enforcement agencies, 39 people, including 22 Hefazat-e-Islam workers, were killed that day in various places including the capital. Hefazat, however, claims that “hundreds of Hefazat workers were killed” on this day, but the organization has not been able to present any evidence in its favor to date.
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However, right now they are planning to take advantage of the prevailing political situation. On October 25, 2023, the National Ulama Mashayekh Conference of Hefazat Islam was held in Dhaka. In the conference, Hefazet Islam Bangladesh announced seven demands and three programs for the release of arrested leaders and activists and the withdrawal of cases. The organization has announced that if the arrested leaders are not released by November 30, they will again launch a tough program on the streets.
Though Hefazat Islam Bangladesh said that they are a religious-based ‘non-political’ organization. Their move has raised questions about the organization’s political motives, but its leaders emphasize that their primary goal is to address their grievances.
In the beginning, It had no political aims or objectives. Its journey started with a non-political identity. But Aristotle’s words are true that ‘man is a political creature’. In that sense, everything is politics. The activities of Hefazat Islam affect politics directly and indirectly.
The Ulama-Mashayekh Conference Details and Goals
On Wednesday (October 25, 2023) the Ulama-Mashayekh conference was held. It was presided over by Hefazat Amir Allama Shah Muhibbullah Babunagari and other leaders spoke.
The primary objective of the Ulama-Mashaikh Conference is to resolve several complex issues including the release of imprisoned activists, withdrawal of cases, and implementation of demands. Additionally, the conference aims to engage with relevant contemporary issues.
Secretary General Allama Sheikh Sajidur Rahman announced 7 demands and 3 programs from the conference.
The demands are:
- A strong call to all countries of the world, including Bangladesh, to immediately stop Israel’s attacks on innocent Palestinians and sever diplomatic relations with Israel at all levels, boycott all their products and trade.
- The conference strongly demanded the government to release the jailed activists by November 30.
- All cases filed in the name of Hefajat Islam activists since 2013 must be withdrawn immediately.
- Scholars and religious people of all walks of life are called upon to unite to resist all evil forces against Islam, protect the independence and sovereignty of the country, and establish the rights of oppressed humanity.
- The National Parliament should pass a law to prevent insult to Allah, Rasulullah (SAW), and the religion of Islam and to prevent hatred against Muslims.
- Official declaration of Qadianis as non-Muslims and to stop all their propaganda and conspiratorial activities. and
- According to the traditional fatwa of Darul Uloom Deoband, various statements of Maulana Saad Sahib of India are contradictory and highly controversial, and based on his fabricated thoughts. Therefore Maulana Saad should be permanently banned from coming to Bangladesh.
In this case, no new situation can be allowed to arise. In the conference, the government was strongly demanded to take effective action in this regard.
The program includes:
- Release all activists in custody by November 30 and withdraw all false cases filed in the name of activists in custody. Otherwise, a strict program will be announced.
- Within the next 3 months district, upazila, and metropolitan committees for the protection of Islam will be formed across the country.
- The Shane Resalat conference will be held in Chittagong, Sylhet, B-Baria, Narayanganj, and Gazipur by December 31. It will be held in other districts in phases.
Before this, a nationwide campaign was conducted to ensure the success of the conference. The campaign included the formation of ten organizational groups, with an emphasis on mobilizing supporters, particularly in the capital, Dhaka. It was decided to hold the national Ulama-Mashayekh conference on October 28 in the Amela meeting of the Central Majlis of Hefazat on September 21. Given this, a full custody committee was announced. However, they had to change the date of the conference due to spatial complications and not political motives.
Formation of Hefazat-e-Islam in Bangladesh
Hefazat-e-Islam, led by Ahmad Shafi, was established in January 2010 in Chittagong. Its formation was prompted by the 2009 Women Development Policy draft, which suggested granting equal inheritance rights to women. Comprised of Sunni Islamists and supported by an extensive madrassa network, the group, while not a political party, has openly advocated for political and legal reforms. Hefazat-e-Islam publicly voiced its opposition to the secular judicial system, calling for a revolution and the establishment of an Islamic State in Bangladesh governed by Sharia Law.
In 2013, Hefazat-e-Islam introduced a 13-point agenda, which included advocating for gender segregation, the release of imprisoned Islamic scholars, and the expansion of religious influence in society. They protested against secular activism, particularly the demands for the execution of Jamaat-e-Islami leaders.
Past Activities of Hefazat-e-Islam
Hefazat-e-Islam is an Islamist political and religious group in Bangladesh that has been involved in various violent activities and protests in the past. It was formed in 2010, and it primarily represents the conservative Islamic ideology in Bangladesh. While the organization claims to be non-violent and focused on protecting Islamic values and the interests of the Muslim community, it has been associated with violent incidents and political unrest in the country.
Some of the notable incidents involving Hefazat-e-Islam include:
Shahbag Protest (2013):
In February 2013, Hefazat-e-Islam led a massive rally in Dhaka’s Shahbag Square to protest against the government’s policies regarding secularism and demands for capital punishment for those involved in war crimes during Bangladesh’s war of independence in 1971. The protest turned violent, with clashes between Hefazat supporters and the police. Several people were killed, and many were injured in the clashes.
Shapla Square Siege (2013):
10 years ago from now, Hefazat Islam took a position in Shapla Chatwar through a written decision of a closed-door meeting. On May 4, 2013, the top leaders of the organization held a closed-door meeting at Lalbagh Jamia Koraniya Arabia Madrasa. It was decided in the meeting that Dhaka would be encircled at any cost and a sit-in program would be adopted after the post-siege rally. The organization, however, said that it would come to Shapla Chattar to hold a prayer ceremony that day.
The decision to station themselves at Shapla Chattar was made on the orders of the late Amir Shah Ahmad Shafi of Hefazat, as announced by the then Secretary General Junaid Babunagari.
Hefazat is led by leaders of religious-based political parties, even though they are non-political organizations. This movement started with the late Amir Allama Shah Ahmad Shafi in front, but later it took the form of a political movement. On May 5, 2013, widespread violence and vandalism took place across the country, including the capital.
On that day, the workers of Hefazet Islam went on a rampage in the Motijheel area for about 8 hours. When the joint forces of BGB, BAB, and police raided Motijheel at night to deal with the situation, they retreated. It is known from the police headquarters that 84 thousand 976 people have been accused in 83 cases including 3 thousand 416 names.
Rampal Power Plant Protests (2016):
Hefazat-e-Islam opposed the construction of the Rampal Power Plant, arguing that it would harm the Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangrove forest. Their protests turned violent, and they clashed with the police. The government accused them of inciting violence and creating instability.
Anti-Modi Protests (2021):
In 2021, Hefazat-e-Islam called for protests against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Bangladesh for the golden jubilee celebration of Bangladesh’s independence. The protests turned violent, with clashes between protesters and security forces, resulting in deaths and injuries. According to BBC News, the visit turned tragic when Mr. Modi was the target of violent protests that claimed at least 12 lives.
