Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh has demanded the immediate cancellation of the Women’s Reform Commission report and announced a nationwide protest on May 23 to press their demands.
At around 1pm on Saturday, Maulana Mahfuzul Haque, nayeb-e-ameer of the party, read out the declaration along with a 12-point demand during a pre-announced program at Suhrawardy Udyan.
The gathering attracted thousands of leaders and activists from the party.
Hefazat proposed forming a new commission with representatives from religious-minded women and emphasized the necessity of mandatory Islamic education at all levels.
Furthermore, they rejected the Media Reform Commission`s recommendation to abolish legal provisions regarding punishment for religious defamation.
The party`s declaration asserted that women’s social progress should be rooted in the country’s religious and cultural traditions rather than Western values.
They firmly rejected the proposal to abolish legal provisions for punishment against religious defamation, declaring they would make no concessions on the issue.
Hefazat Secretary General Maulana Sajedur Rahman announced that Hefazat will stage nationwide demonstrations on May 23 to press for their demands, including the cancellation of the Women’s Affairs Reform Commission report.
Additionally, regional conferences will be held over the next three months to establish women’s “rightful rights.”
Regarding the Women’s Reform Commission report, Hefazat-e-Islam Ameer Maulana Shah Muhibbullah Babunagari condemned the report as “anti-Quranic” and accused anti-Islamic groups of resurfacing.
He demanded the immediate cancellation of the report, emphasizing that Hefazat would not make any concessions on issues concerning the Quran and Sunnah.
Babunagari also said that Hefazat is committed to ensuring women’s rightful rights and safety, demanding strict laws against dowry practices and enhanced security for women in educational institutions and workplaces.
On the issue of religious defamation laws, Babunagari denounced the Media Reform Commission`s recommendation to remove punishment for defamation of religious sentiments, calling it a “deep conspiracy.”
He said that no one should have the right to hurt religious feelings, whether in the majority or minority community, and affirmed that the protection of religious freedoms was essential.
Mamunul Haque, Joint Secretary General of Hefazat-e-Islam, called the Women’s Reform Commission controversial and demanded action against its members, accusing them of taking positions contrary to the core values of the Bangladeshi people.
He said that Hefazat respects women but condemned what he called the insult to Islam in the name of women’s reform. Mamunul warned that Hefazat would return to the streets if necessary to enforce constitutional faith in Allah.
Hasnat Abdullah, Chief Organizer for the southern region of the National Citizen Party (NCP), urged the Chief Adviser to focus on necessary reforms that protect women’s rights and dignity instead of unnecessary ones.
He also warned that the rehabilitation of the Awami League would not be accepted, declaring the party would not return to Bangladesh “over the blood of martyrs.”
Mahmudur Rahman, Editor of the Daily Amar Desh, criticized the government’s formation of several reform commissions, calling them unnecessary and a waste of state resources.
He urged the interim government to cancel these commissions and also appealed to Hefazat-e-Islam not to focus solely on feminism, reminding them of their larger struggle against Indian imperialism and for Islam.
In addition to the cancellation of the Women`s Reform Commission report and religious defamation laws, Hefazat’s demands included the strictest legal punishment for those who insult Allah and the Prophet, the expansion of tribunal capacity to expedite the trials of the Shapla and July massacres, and the trial of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina before the national elections.
They also called for the Awami League to be declared a terrorist organization and banned from activities ahead of the national elections.
Hefazat also demanded that the government restore “complete faith and trust in Allah” in the constitution and abandon the concept of “pluralism.”
The party alleged that the government is promoting an LGBT-friendly society using ambiguous terms like "gender identity," "gender diversity," and "inclusive," and called for the cessation of these attempts.
Other demands included revoking Chinmoy Das`s bail, dropping false cases against Islamic figures, taking stronger stances against Israel and India, cancelling the Rakhine humanitarian corridor, stopping missionary activities in the Chittagong Hill Tracts while increasing military presence and Islamic preaching there, and officially declaring Ahmadiyyas as non-Muslim with restricted religious activities.
Nayeb-e-Ameers of the party Maulana Abdul Awal, Maulana Hazrat Anas, Mufti Jashim Uddin, Maulana Salahuddin Nanupuri; Secretary General of Khelafat Majlish and Vice Chairman of Hefazat Ahmad Abdul Quader; Obaidullah Farooq Qasemi; and Junaid Al Habib, President of Hefazat’s Dhaka city unit, among others, also addressed the gathering.addressed the gathering.
