Qaumi madrasa teachers have demanded the establishment of Sharia courts in every district to resolve Muslims’ family matters and called for Quranic education to be made mandatory for employment.
At a press conference on Monday at the National Press Club, the Qaumi Madrasa Shikkhok Parishad (Qaumi Madrasa Teachers Council) presented an 18-point set of demands, including the annulment of at least three constitutional provisions.
The council urged that district-level Sharia courts be set up to handle marriage, divorce, dower (den mohr), maintenance, guardianship, inheritance, and the management of waqf properties, with Alems (Islamic scholars) appointed as judges.
Regarding employment, the teachers insisted that muslim candidates for government and private sector jobs must demonstrate correct Quran recitation, possess essential knowledge of halal and haram matters, and that recruitment boards include qualified Alems.
The 18-point demand also called for constitutional amendments: repealing Article 8(1) to remove socialism and secularism and establish an Islamic Republic, amending Article 17 to make Islamic education compulsory at all levels, and revising Article 23 to prioritise Islamic civilisation and culture.
Addressing the press conference, Principal Muhammad Mizanur Rahman Chowdhury, president of the council, said, “To uphold Islamic values, a blasphemy law must be passed in the National Parliament.”
Other demands included keeping donations to all Qaumi madrasas tax-exempt, providing special discounts on gas and electricity connections, involving madrasa teachers and students in Qurbani activities, banning Qadiani and Hizb ut-Tahrir, and continuing financial aid and diplomatic support for oppressed muslims worldwide.
