Ulema across country voice growing discontent

• Storm of protest  over appointment of ‘La-Madhhabi’ Lincoln as state minister for religious affairs

 The appointment of Shamim Kaiser Lincoln, who follows a ‘La-Madhhabi’ creed outside the Hanafi school of thought, as the state minister for religious affairs has sparked a storm of protest among ulema across the country. Ulema, Islamic scholars and the tawhidi public say they cannot accept a ‘La-Madhhabi’ as the state minister for religious affairs. To avoid an unpleasant incident resembling a public explosion, the government and the state minister must immediately clarify their positions. A qualified Hanafi scholar should be appointed as the state minister for religious affairs.

Soon after taking office, the state minister has allegedly started various activities, including visiting different madrasas and markazes. Some people are welcoming him with bouquets. At a national ulema-mashayekh convention organised by the Iman-Aqida Protection Committee at the Diploma Engineers Institution auditorium in Kakrail, Dhaka, yesterday, top ulema made these remarks, demanding preservation of the creed and beliefs of Ahlus Sunnah wal Jamaat, a nationwide awareness campaign, a ban on the alleged militant organisation Hizb ut-Tawhid and cancellation of the transgender-friendly labour law passed by Parliament. Top ulema at the convention expressed strong anger and dissatisfaction over the appointment and recent political activities of State Minister for Religious Affairs Shamim Kaiser Lincoln.

At the convention, top ulema strongly demanded a ban on Hizb ut-Tawhid and cancellation of the transgender-friendly labour law. Some also alleged that Jamaat was indirectly campaigning in favour of ‘La-Madhhabi’ State Minister Lincoln. Ulema from across the country attended the convention. They warned the government that Lincoln should be removed from the Ministry of Religious Affairs before the country’s ulema take to the streets. Otherwise, they said, the ulema would not accept a ‘La-Madhhabi’ as state minister for religious affairs under any circumstances. Some urged the state minister to publicly acknowledge through a newspaper advertisement that he is not ‘La-Madhhabi’.

The national convention was chaired by Maulana Abdul Awal, Naib-e-Ameer of Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh and Ameer of Dawatul Ehsan Bangladesh, and moderated by Mufti Sultan Mahmud. Maulana Ilyas Gumman, director of Markaz Ahlus Sunnah wal Jamaat of Pakistan, spoke as an invited guest. Among the top ulema, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Bangladesh Senior Vice-President Maulana Abdur Rob Yousufi delivered a strong speech at the convention.

Maulana Abdur Rob Yousufi expressed strong anger and dissatisfaction over the appointment and recent political activities of newly appointed State Minister for Religious Affairs Shamim Kaiser Lincoln. He criticised what he described as the government’s double standards and confusing policies toward ulema of Qawmi madrasas, saying such decisions and positions by the government were creating serious confusion. Referring to the government’s position toward top ulema including Allama Babunagari, Maulana Yousufi said, “The Prime Minister went to Babunagari Sahib, sought his prayers—mashallah, that’s good. But after returning to Dhaka, the government took decisions against the statements and remarks made by Babunagari Sahib. This reflects the government’s extremely confusing policy.”

Referring to the appointment of Shamim Kaiser Lincoln as the new state minister for religious affairs and his visits to various madrasas to receive receptions, he said, “Previously, there was never a full minister in the Ministry of Religious Affairs; there was a state minister. This time, despite having a full minister, why was another state minister appointed? And if one had to be appointed, why did it have to be Mr Lincoln? What does this mean? We cannot accept this under any circumstances.” Maulana Yousufi further expressed his anger, saying, “As soon as he came to power, he started some drama. He began visiting different madrasas and markazes. And some of our brothers started giving him bouquets. My brothers say, ‘The state minister for religious affairs has come here; how can we not show him respect?’”

He warned, “You can respect him, invite him to your home, feed him biryani and pulao, do everything. But are you thinking of honouring him with a bouquet? How much does your action increase this man’s acceptability among the people?” He stressed the need for greater awareness on these issues and warned that the country’s ulema would not accept anyone creating obstacles to matters of faith, creed and religious positions under any circumstances.

At the convention, Allama Abdul Hamid, Naib-e-Ameer of Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh and convener of the Sammilito Khatme Nabuwwat Parishad, strongly demanded cancellation of the controversial transgender-friendly labour law passed by Parliament and a ban on Hizb ut-Tawhid. At the same time, Pir Saheb of Madhupur demanded that ‘La-Madhhabi’ State Minister Shamim Kaiser Lincoln be removed and a qualified scholar belonging to the majority Hanafi school of thought in the country be appointed as state minister for religious affairs.

He expressed anger over various contemporary religious and political issues and placed several demands before the government. Strongly criticising former Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Dr. Yunus, Pir Saheb of Madhupur said, “Dr. Yunus has left everything ruined within a short period. Dr. Yunus came to power and left the country devastated.” Referring to the transgender-friendly labour law passed by Parliament, he urged the government to refrain from introducing such laws. He said becoming a man from a woman or a woman from a man is not recognised in any religion, including Islam, Hinduism, Christianity and Judaism.

Strongly criticising the opposition Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, he said the Companions of the Prophet are the standard for truth. “Those who do not accept the Companions are enemies of Islam, hypocrites and deceivers,” he said. He claimed that Jamaat, following the ideology of its founder Abul Ala Maududi, had never truly worked for Islam. He protested against the comment “Roza and Puja are equal” made before the election and questioned why Muslims and ulema remained silent over the construction of a temple in Gaibandha.

Mentioning that 90 percent of the country’s people follow the Hanafi school of thought, the Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh Naib-e-Ameer questioned the role and creed of the current state minister for religious affairs. He alleged that appointing someone outside the Hanafi school of thought or of a ‘La-Madhhabi’ creed, referring to Lincoln, to the Ministry of Religious Affairs was creating confusion and unrest in the country. He urged the government and the state minister to immediately clarify their positions and demanded that a qualified Hanafi scholar be appointed as state minister for religious affairs.

Allama Abdul Hamid, Pir Saheb of Madhupur, further said that although people had been sent several times to seek meetings and invitations with the newly appointed state minister, he had decided not to speak this week and to talk next week. He made it clear that to avoid unwanted controversy and confusion, Lincoln should immediately clarify his creed and position through a newspaper notice. He suggested that if the state minister publicly stated that he was a follower of the Hanafi school and not ‘La-Madhhabi’, all confusion would be resolved and the emerging problem would find a proper solution.

Allama Sajidur Rahman said Hizb ut-Tawhid follows a blasphemous ideology and poses a threat to Islam and the country. “Hizb ut-Tawhid must be banned immediately,” he said. He said the Prime Minister had gone to Babunagari to meet the Ameer of Hefazat. “The Prime Minister must prove that he loves the ulema. He must not take any religious decision without the opinion of the majority of the country’s ulema,” he said.

Mufti Syed Muhammad Faizul Karim said, “We will confront falsehood. If there is a boundary of taqwa, no falsehood can enter our society. If taqwa declines, falsehood will spread everywhere.” He demanded the immediate banning of Hizb ut-Tawhid. Addressing the government, he said, “What have you given us in the last six months? You have increased gas and electricity prices. Transgender marriages are taking place in temples.” He also demanded that the Ahmadiyya community be declared non-Muslim. Maulana Junaid Al Habib said, “Our movement is aimed at preserving truth and righteousness. If anyone gives shelter to falsehood, we cannot remain silent at home.”

In his presidential speech, Maulana Abdul Awal said, “We have ousted false sects such as the Bhandari movement and atheist Taslima Nasrin through movements. The activities of other false sects that raise their heads in this Muslim country must be resisted with the strength of faith.”