Anomalies have been found recently over the sources of Hefazat-e-Islami money and its use. A former official of the organisation has brought this issue to the fore.
Maulana Salimullah, a former Hefazat leader, and former head of the audit committee of the organization told the media that the current Ameer Junaid Babunagari had not given any details of around Tk one crore for several years. The former leader further revealed that Sadek Hossain Khoka, the late BNP leader and former mayor of Dhaka City Corporation, gave Tk 5 million to Hefazat-e-Islami during the May 5, 2013 riot at Shapla Square in the capital.
Following the release of this information in the media, questions have been raised about the sources of the Hefazats funding and its expenditure. Those close associates to the late Amir Shah Ahmad Shafi who have been excluded from the organisation are now quite vocal about the issue.
Maulana Salimullah was the head of the internal audit committee of Hefazat from 2016 to 2017. However, after taking over the post of Ameer by Maulana Junaid Baunagari, Maulana Salimullah was finally removed from the post as he wanted to know about the whereabouts of the money. He is one of the members of the audit committee of Hefazat at present.
However, Maulana Salimullah, the Muhtamim (Director General) of Nazirhat Al Jamiatul Farooqia Madrasa in Fatikchhari, has not been associated with Hefazat for several months.
After the death of Maulana Shah Ahmad Shafi, former General Secretary Junaid Babunagari became the Ameer of Hefazat-e-Islami through a series of incidents. After that, several changes were made in various important places audit committee.
Maulana Salimullah was a close and trusted alliance of Shah Ahmad Shafi and was also the Head (Muhtamim) of Al Jamiatul Arabia Nasirul Islam Nazirhat Bara Madrasa (Fatikchhari Madrasa)in Chattogram.
Salim Ullah alleged that after the death of Ahmed Shafi, he was removed from the post from Head of the Fatikchhari Madrassa and as well as chief of the audit committee of Hefazat-e-Islami by Junaid Babunagari and his supporters a few months ago.
Maulana Salimullah said, "During the agitation at Shapla square, many people gave money to Huzur (late Hefazat Amir Shah Ahmad Shafi). But he did not keep any money. Taka 25 lakh was given to the then Secretary-General Junaid Babunagari but no account of that money was found."
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has also asked Babunagari, another top leader Mamunul Haque and several others called about the source of their money.
But current Hefazat leaders believe that these are part of a planned conspiracy.
Several sources claimed Hefazat-e-Islami money was transacted from an account of Social Islami Bank in Chattogram Metropolitan area. The account was managed by Maulana Tajul Islam, a leader of the Chattogram City Unit.
But Azizul Haq Islamabadi, Organizing Secretary of Hefazat Islami said, “The organisation has no central and area based funds. Immediate funding is raised for the programme when it is given. After the programme, arrangements are made to finalise the income-expenditure and publish the account immediately.”
One of the major regular programmes of Hefazat-e-Islami is the 'Shane Resalat Conference' which has been held in Chattogram every year. The two-day conference cost a lot of money.
This reporter has got the account details of the Resalat Conference held in 2017 and 2018. Of these, the total cost for the two other events that year, including the 2017 Shane Resalat conference, was Tk 15,02,340. The expenditure sheet of 2018, which was published in 2019 shows the amount of expenditure is Tk 11,52,973.
This gives an idea of the expenditure but nothing is said about the income.
Salim Ullah claimed that such kind of accounts were not made after many programmes during his tenure in Hefazat-e-Islam.
“An associate of Anas Madani, son of former Ameer Ahmad Shafi, Salimullah is a conspirator and has been declared outcast from party activities by leaders and activists," said Azizul. They are now in a conspiracy to down the image of the organisation.
Azizul also said that the leaders and workers of the organisation and well-wishers provided funds for the Hefazat programme.
