Hefazat Condemns Controversial Book Gift to World Champion Hafizs and Law Minister’s Remarks on Constitution

Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh Amir Shaykhul Hadith Allama Shah Muhibbullah Babunagari and Secretary General Allama Shayekh Sajidur Rahman have strongly protested and expressed outrage over the presentation of Nexus, a book written by Yuval Noah Harari, an author described as controversial and anti-Islam, as a gift at a reception for world champion Quran memorizers, as well as Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman’s controversial remarks concerning the Constitution.

In a joint statement sent to the media on Saturday, September 19, the two senior Hefazat leaders said, “In a country where 95 percent of the population is Muslim, the decision to honour world champion Quran memorizers at the state level is undoubtedly highly commendable. However, presenting a book by Yuval Noah Harari at such a sacred and prestigious ceremony, an author whose outlook is opposed to Islamic creed, religious values and morality, is deeply regrettable, unwarranted and a grave affront to the religious feelings of Muslims.”

The two leaders said, “The Holy Quran declares homosexuality to be a grave sin and transgression. Yet the author’s views and the contents of his book are completely at odds with Islamic beliefs and morality.

“It is necessary to immediately investigate whether this occurred due to negligence by responsible officials without the Prime Minister’s knowledge or as a result of any conspiracy. We demand that the book be immediately withdrawn from the hafizs and replaced with an appropriate traditional Islamic book, and that a responsible screening committee be formed in the future to select books or gifts for government and Islamic events.”

In the statement, the Hefazat leaders also strongly criticised Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman’s remarks: “A constitution can be drafted in light of the Quran, but the Quran should not be accepted as the Constitution.” They said, “The Law Minister’s statement is a serious affront to the faith and creed of Muslims. The Holy Quran is not a temporary legal document written by human beings; it is the eternal and final constitution revealed by Almighty Allah, the Lord of the universe. While human-written constitutions are subject to change and amendment, the word of Allah is immutable and eternally true.”

They further said, “Such a confusing statement concerning the status and injunctions of the Holy Quran from a person holding an important position of responsibility in the state is deeply concerning. We call upon the Law Minister to immediately clarify his position before the nation, withdraw his statement on the matter and repent. The country’s Tawhidi populace will always remain vocal against any conduct that attacks faith, Islamic heritage and religious values.”