A group of worshippers staged a demonstration alleging that propaganda and a conspiracy are being carried out against Mufti Abdul Malek, the Khatib of the national mosque Baitul Mukarram in Dhaka.
The protest took place on Friday following Jummah prayers at the north gate of Baitul Mukarram.
At that time, a protest procession was ongoing at the north gate of the mosque, organised by leaders and activists of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam – a partner in the BNP’s simultaneous movement and Islami Andolan Bangladesh.
A brief period of tension arose there centering on anti-Jamaat-Shibir slogans chanted by a few individuals.
According to eyewitness accounts, several participants in the demonstration were heard chanting slogans such as “Smash and demolish the dens of Jamaat-Shibir” and “Smash and demolish the dens of Maududi.”
Subsequently, a few youths attempted to create a chaotic situation. However, it was learned that Jamaat-e-Islami had no scheduled programme in the area at that time.
From the protest procession organised by the Dhaka Metropolitan North and South units of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, Islamic scholars (alims and ulema) warned that no conspiracy against Khatib Mufti Abdul Malek would be tolerated.
The demonstrators alleged that Jamaat-e-Islami is conspiring to remove Mufti Abdul Malek, Khatib of the national mosque, prompting general worshippers to take to the streets in protest.
They further alleged that certain individuals had arrived with the intention of implementing Jamaat’s agenda and were spreading propaganda on social media.
Members of law enforcement forces maintained an alert position at the spot to keep the situation under control.
Paltan Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Ariful Alam said, “A slightly different situation arose due to programmes being held by various organisations. However, no untoward incident occurred.”
