Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh has strongly protested and expressed deep concern over the government’s decision to appoint Gaibandha-4 MP Mohammad Shamim Kaiser as the state minister for religious affairs, calling for the immediate cancellation of the appointment.
In a statement sent to the media on Friday, Mufti Kifayatullah Azhari, the publicity secretary of Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh, voiced strong opposition to the appointment on behalf of the country’s Islamic scholars (Ulama) and devout Muslims. The protest comes following the swearing-in ceremony of Shamim Kaiser at Bangabhaban on Friday evening.
According to the statement, Hefazat leaders highlighted that a press conference organised on Thursday by “Sammilita Ulama Mashayekh Bangladesh” had already made it clear that appointing Shamim is entirely contrary to the expectations of the country’s scholar community and majority Muslim population.
They claimed Shamim’s personal beliefs and ideologies run counter to the spirit of conventional Pir-Mashayekh, Tabligh Jamaat, and the historically established four Mazhabs.
The organisation argued that the Ministry of Religious Affairs is an extremely sensitive and specialised field. They warned that appointing someone who is controversial, lacks acceptability among the Ulama, and is not respectful of Islamic values would deeply hurt the sentiments of religious citizens.
Furthermore, Hefazat cautioned the government that ignoring the contributions and advice of Qawmi Islamic scholars and devout Muslims would lead to a severe breakdown in the relationship and mutual trust between the government and the Ulama.
The organisation has urged the government to exercise good sense, immediately revoke the appointment of Shamim Kaiser, and instead select a qualified, experienced, and universally acceptable individual for the role in consultation with Islamic scholars.
