Prominent Tablighi Jamaat scholars and leaders from various Islamic organisations on Tuesday announced a nine-point demand, including mandatory religious education across all educational levels, and called for a ban on the entry of Maulana Muhammad Saad Kandhalvi into Bangladesh.
The leaders further recommended imposing restrictions on the activities of Maulana Saad’s followers at the Kakrail Mosque.
During the Islamic Conference, held at Suhrawardy Udyan on Tuesday, speakers alleged that Saad’s followers were plotting violence in connection with the upcoming Biswa Ijtema, one of the largest annual Islamic gatherings.
Responding to these concerns, Islamic scholars and students pledged to resist any such efforts to destabilize the event.
At the conference on Tuesday, leading Tablighi Jamaat scholars and various Islamic organisation leaders emphasised the protection of Qawmi Madrasha, Tabligh Jamaat, and Islam in Bangladesh.
Thousands of people from across Bangladesh gathered at the venue where the Islamic scholars announced their nine-point demand to the government via loudspeaker.
Key demands from the conference include conducting Qawmi education under Darul Uloom Deoband and halting all Tablighi-related conspiracies by separatist groups. Mandatory inclusion of religious studies in the general education syllabus. Withdrawal of cases filed by the previous government against religious scholars.
Extradition and prosecution of those responsible for the Shapla Chattar incident, along with the withdrawal of politically motivated cases across the country. Investigation of the 2018 attack on Tongi Maidan by hardliners.
Prohibition on Maulana Saad’s entry into Bangladesh due to allegations of violating Tablighi principles and criticizing the Prophet’s companions. Government facilitation of the Biswa Ijtema in two phases, with the first phase set for January 31–February 2 and the second for February 7–9, 2025.
Suspension of activities at Kakrail Mosque unless approved by the Shura-i-Nezam, effective immediately.
Declaration of the Qadianis as non-Muslim, aligning with the conference’s view on the community.
They also demanded justice for the recent attack on innocent students by Saad Kandhalvi’s supporters at the Tongi Ijtema venue and prevention of self-declared Amir Saad’s entry into Bangladesh.
Their other demands are restricting the entry of Saad’s supporters at the Kakrail Mosque and officially declaring the Qadianis as non-Muslims in Bangladesh.
Shah Mohammad Mohibullah Babunagari conducted prayers after the event.
From early morning, thousands of people including scholars began gathering at Suhrawardy Udyan for the conference, which officially started at 9:00 am and continued until 1:17 pm, filling the venue to capacity.
Prominent attendees included Khalil Ahmad Qasemi of Hathazari, Allama Abdul Hamid Pir Saheb of Madhupur, Allama Abdul Rahman Hafezzi, Allama Nurul Islam, Adib Saheb Huzur, Maulana Obaidullah Farooq, Maulana Rashidur Rahman, Allama Sheikh Ziauddin, Allama Sheikh Sajidur Rahman, Allama Abdul Quddus of Faridabad, Allama Nurul Islam Olipuri, Maulana Mahfuzul Haque, Maulana Abu Taher Nadvi, Maulana Arshad Rahmani, Maulana Salahuddin Nanupuri, Maulana Mushtaq Ahmad, Principal Mizanur Rahman Chowdhury, Maulana Anwarul Karim, and Maulana Mufti Mohammad Ali.
Hundreds of scholars from Qawmi Madrashas across the country also joined the conference, creating severe traffic congestion in parts of Dhaka that continued throughout the morning.
