Facing criticism over the expulsion of a female journalist from a press conference in Barisal, Islami Andolon Bangladesh has explained its position, saying, “The party does not participate in any programme that violates the Islamic injunction of ‘purdah’ (modesty).”
Senior Nayeb-e-Ameer of Islami Andolon Bangladesh, Mufti Syed Muhammad Faizul Karim, addressed a press conference at the Barisal Press Club on Saturday. During the event, Daily Jugantor’s multimedia journalist Monika Chowdhury was asked to leave the room while she was on her work. Although other journalists requested that she be allowed to stay, party workers insisted that women journalists were not permitted.
Later, Mufti Faizul Karim said, “As I mentioned before, I was unaware of the incident. It did not come to my attention. Secondly, I am a Muslim, and I must be allowed the freedom to practice my religion. The state will operate under the law of the land, but personally, I am obligated to follow Islam.”
Journalist Monika Chowdhury said, “I went to the Barisal Press Club upon learning about Char Monai Huzur’s press briefing. The press conference hadn’t started yet. Like other journalists, I had set up my camera and boom mic to record footage. That’s when some of the Huzur’s followers approached me and said, ‘You’re a woman. You cannot be here. Female journalists are not acceptable in our event. Please leave.’”
“I asked them why a female journalist is not acceptable. They replied, ‘There are many Islamic scholars here who won’t be comfortable with your presence.’ When my colleagues protested this, they insisted, ‘Under no circumstances can a female journalist stay here. She must leave.’”
Monika said, “After the incident, I felt humiliated. I cried. I am a journalist—regardless of whether I am a woman, man, or transgender. I was there to do my job as a journalist.”
Following the incident, Islami Andolon Bangladesh issued a clarificationsaying, “We conduct politics of `ibadat’ while adhering to the Islamic rules of modesty. Some are trying to politicise the female journalist’s identity to create controversy.”
They further mentioned that they have long refrained from participating in TV talk shows hosted by female anchors, in line with their principles.
The press conference was organised by Islami Andolon Bangladesh’s Barisal city chapter as part of their campaign demanding that Mufti Faizul Karim be declared the elected mayor of Barisal City Corporation. A court order on this matter is expected on Monday (May 5).