Ahmad Shafi’s janaza, burial held peacefully at Hathazari

Thousands of people today joined the namaz-e-janaza of Shah Ahmad Shafi, supreme leader of Hefazat-e-Islam, at Al Jameyatul Ahlia Darul Ulum Moinul Islam Madrasa [popularly known as Hathazari madrasa].

Shafi's eldest son, Moulana Muhammad Yousuf, mohtamim (director) of Shilok Mohiussunnah Madrasa which was established by Shafi at his paternal home, moderated the janaza as requested by the family members of the deceased at 2:05pm on the premises of Hathazari madrasa.

Just moments before the janaza was scheduled to begin, Shafi's other son Anas Madani wanted to say a few words to the people, which was met with resistance from a faction of the attendees.

Later, this correspondent tried to contact Madani over phone, but he disconnected the call without making any comment.

The body of Shah Ahmad Shafi, supreme leader of Hefazat-e-Islam, is seen in this photo being taken for the namaz-e-janaza at Hathazari madrasa in Chattogram on September 19, 2020. Photo: Rajib Raihan

Shafi was buried in front of the old mosque on the madrasa campus at 2:30pm.

The janaza was held along the two-kilometre stretch of Hathazari-Khagrachhari road while many had to take part on rooftops of nearby buildings as they could not make their way to the main ground due to the huge crowd.

Earlier, people in their hundreds set out for Hathazari from different parts of the country on buses to take part in the janaza.

Many people had to take part in the janaza on rooftops of nearby buildings as they could not make their way to the main ground due to the huge crowd. Photo: Rajib Raihan

Additional police forces with riot gear were seen stationed at different points of Hathazari upazila to prevent any untoward situation centring the janaza.

After the janaza, a long tailback forced people to walk to board buses at stations. The Chattogram-Rangamati and Chattogram-Khagrachhari highways were almost blocked due to presence of thousands of people.