Warning from Islamist Group: Yunus Faces Same Fate as Hasina
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Synopsis
In Bangladesh, the radical Islamist group Hefazat-e-Islam has threatened the interim government, asserting that Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus will face a fate similar to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina if the Women's Affairs Reform Commission's proposals are enacted. The group calls these proposals anti-Islamic and plans to rally against them.
Key Takeaways
- Hefazat-e-Islam threatens Muhammad Yunus over women's reform proposals.
- They label the Women's Affairs Reform Commission as anti-Islamic.
- A mass rally is planned at Suhrawardy Udyan on May 3.
- Security heightened around Baitul Mukarram Mosque during protests.
- Collaboration among radical groups to oppose reforms is evident.
Dhaka, April 26 (NationPress) The radical Islamist group in Bangladesh, Hefazat-e-Islam, has issued a warning, asserting that the Chief Advisor of the interim government, Muhammad Yunus, will encounter a fate akin to that of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina if the recommendations proposed by the Women's Affairs Reform Commission are enacted.
During various protests and rallies across the nation, the Islamist organization conveyed these threats to the interim government, labeling the women's reform body suggestions as "anti-Islamic, " according to local media reports.
The leader of Hefazat demanded the dissolution of the Women's Affairs Reform Commission and announced a mass gathering at Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka scheduled for May 3.
On Friday, the Islamist group also organized a protest rally and procession in Chattogram's Andarkill.
Later, while addressing a public assembly at Chashara Central Shaheed Minar in Narayanganj, Mamunul Haque, the joint secretary general of Hefazat, stated that the Women's Affairs Reform Commission has demonstrated a total disregard for Islamic law by claiming that religious and social norms contribute significantly to the discrimination faced by women in the nation, as reported by the leading Bangladeshi daily, The Business Standard.
"Yunus Saheb has expressed intentions to implement these changes rapidly. He has opposed the Islamic inheritance law. We have shown him considerable respect, but if he continues on this path, we cannot regard him any differently than Hasina," Haque declared.
Additionally, another radical Islamist political faction, Khelafat Majlish, warned of initiating a vigorous movement should the commission's proposals be put into effect. The party criticized the reform commission and called for its dissolution.
"The commission was established by a cohort of atheists and Western sympathizers," remarked Khelafat Majlish.
While addressing a protest rally at the entrance of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque in Dhaka, the party's Secretary General Ahmad Abdul Quader accused the commission of being formed by "a group of atheists and Western supporters aiming to undermine Bangladesh's religious and family values."
"The commission has suggested a uniform family law encompassing marriage, divorce, inheritance, and maintenance for women of all faiths. This directly contradicts the Quran and Sunnah and is a blatant assault on the beliefs of Muslims. We will never accept such anti-Islamic actions," he asserted.
Reports indicated that security measures were intensified around Baitul Mukarram Mosque during the demonstration.
Just last week, the Women's Affairs Reform Commission submitted its report, consisting of 433 recommendations, to Yunus. Hefajat-e Islam, along with other extremist Islamist groups such as Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Andolan Bangladesh, demanded that the government promptly discard the “unacceptable and controversial” recommendations of the Women's Affairs Reform Commission, as reported by the prominent Bangladeshi newspaper, The Daily Star.
The radical factions had previously collaborated with student leaders and Yunus to overthrow the democratically elected government of the Awami League. The much-touted coalition of political groups in Bangladesh, which was prominently displayed during the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024, is gradually diminishing.
