Muhiuddin Rabbani Demands President, Moin Khan Withdraw Remarks on Durga Puja
Maulana Muhiuddin Rabbani, secretary-general of the International Majlis-e Tahaffuz-e Khatme Nabuwwat Bangladesh, has condemned remarks about Durga Puja attributed to the President and BNP leader Abdul Moin Khan and demanded their withdrawal.
In a statement, Mr. Rabbani said those concerned should act responsibly when remarks on religious beliefs cause public concern.
He strongly condemned and protested the remarks attributed to the President: “When injustice had descended upon the whole world, Goddess Durga appeared,” and those attributed to BNP leader Abdul Moin Khan: “Mother Durga descends from heaven to remove misrule.”
Mr. Rabbani said a fundamental tenet of Islamic belief is that Almighty Allah is the sole Creator, Sustainer and Supreme Authority over the entire universe. He cited the Holy Quran, which declares that Allah is One and the Eternal Refuge upon whom all creation depends. He said statements that conflict with Muslims’ belief in Tawhid (the oneness of Allah) are unacceptable.
Mr. Rabbani said the religious freedom, security and rights of people of other faiths must be protected. However, he added, respecting other religions is not the same as equating their beliefs with Islamic doctrine.
True religious harmony, he said, rests on mutual respect, justice and peaceful coexistence, rather than disregarding the distinctiveness of religious beliefs.
Mr. Rabbani further said that people holding positions of responsibility in the state and politics should exercise particular caution when commenting on religious matters. Regardless of their intentions, he added, they should respond responsibly when their remarks raise concerns about religious beliefs.
In the statement, Mr. Rabbani urged the President and Mr. Moin Khan to withdraw their respective remarks. He also called on them to make responsible statements in the future, respecting the religious beliefs and sentiments of the country’s devout population.
