‘Bangladeshis follow the Islam preached from Madina, not that of Maududi’

BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed today criticised the ideology of Jamaat-e-Islami, saying that around 90 to 92 percent of Bangladesh's people follow the Islam of Madina, not the Islam preached by Maududi (Abul A'la Maududi), an Indo-Pakistani scholar.

He also advised to remain cautious of those who want to create confusion among Muslims of the country through sects and fitna.

He made these remarks while addressing as special guest at an Islamic conference titled "Azmate Sahaba" at Narayanganj central Eidgah.

Although Hefazat-e-Islam Amir Mohibullah Babunagari was scheduled to attend the conference as the chief guest, he did not come. The organisation's Secretary General Sajidur Rahman spoke.

The conference was presided over by Hefazat's Narayanganj district unit Amir Mufti Monir Hossain Kasemi and attended by leaders and activists of BNP and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Bangladesh, alongside Hefazat.

In his speech, BNP leader Salahuddin said, "In Bangladesh, we always notice, especially before elections, that Islam is being used in politics and is used in different ways to gain political benefits. Recently, we are noticing that even more."

Without referring to any party, he said, "A political party, they want — for the sake of election, for the sake of politics — to use Islam and bring division among the nation. Especially, they want to harm Islam."

He also said, "We, 90 to 92 percent Muslims in Bangladesh, practice and believe in the Islam of Madina. The Islam that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) established, the Islam that the Sahaba (his companions) practised — we are followers of that Islam. Here, none of us are followers of the Islam of Maududi."

"So, we must be cautious of those who create firqa (division) and fitna (chaos) and create confusion among the Muslims of Bangladesh. And we have to open the path to gain and practice the correct and religious knowledge," he added.

"We must not take Islam to such a place where our religion can be harmed due to political reasons," the BNP leader said further.

Calling upon everyone to remain united, Salahuddin said, "The previous fascist Sheikh Hasina government was an 'Islam-hating' and 'Muslim-hating' government. The people of the country have seen the Awami League's politics. That was 'ill-politics' and 'Islam-hating' politics. They used politics against the Alems (Islamic scholars) and Islam for political interests. By the order of Allah, they were removed -- and everyone is a witness to that history."