In response to the statement from Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) regarding the cancellation of the textbook revision coordination committee, Hefazat-e-Islam has issued a strong protest. Today, Tuesday (October 1), the organization’s Amir, Allama Muhibullah Babunagari, and Secretary General, Maulana Sajeedur Rahman, expressed their disapproval in a statement.
In their statement, they said that labeling Islamic public opinion as “fundamentalism” is nothing but fascist behavior. After reading TIB’s statement on the textbook revision coordination committee cancellation, it seems they wish to build a so-called discrimination-free Bangladesh by excluding Islamic public opinion. Their statement reflects a desire to establish extreme secular fascism. We witnessed this even during the reign of the fascist Sheikh Hasina. They are still unable to break free from the Islamophobic language and narrative of the “War on Terror.” We have not forgotten that, during Sheikh Hasina’s fascist regime, they once rode on imperialism’s coattails and advised in the suppression and persecution of Islamic scholars and Islamists.
The statement further said that during Hasina’s regime, Islamic scholars were the most vocal about issues in the national curriculum, yet in this new Bangladesh, the lack of Islamic scholars in the education-expert-less coordination committee was a severe injustice. But there is no discussion or question about this among secularists. Instead, by tagging it as “fundamentalism,” they aim to marginalize Islamic public opinion. We strongly condemn their fascist language and behavior.
The leaders added that under the guise of secular civility, NGOs like BRAC and TIB are working to implement imperialist agendas in the country. To maintain Western influence and dominance here, they receive funding from imperialists. As a result, they are working to pollute the national curriculum by introducing various controversial Western values. However, Islamic public opinion remains a major obstacle for them because it is always based on the country’s interests, national heritage and culture, religious consciousness, and social values. Islamic scholars and the Islamic public are united in this matter.
