Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh has strongly condemned and expressed deep concern over the education minister’s recent remarks calling for the promotion of transgender ideology and raising awareness about it.

The condemnation came in a joint statement issued by the organisation’s Ameer, Allama Shah Muhibbullah Babunagari, and Secretary General, Allama Shaikh Sajidur Rahman.

In the statement sent to the media on Friday, the two senior Islamic scholars said that, according to Islamic beliefs and Shariah, the creation of men and women reflects the specific will of Almighty Allah. They said promoting and legitimising an ideology that challenges people’s biological sex and physical characteristics was contrary to the faith, beliefs, social culture and fundamental moral values of Muslim-majority Bangladesh.

Islam guarantees the human dignity and fundamental rights of all people, they said. However, they added that attempts to impose any ideology that contradicts religious Shariah and divine laws in the name of protecting human dignity would not be tolerated.

Emphasising the importance of education, they said the education system was the foundation for shaping the character and moral values of future generations. They argued that the education system should not introduce ideas they described as destructive and conflicting with the religious sentiments and sound family values of 90 per cent of the country’s population. Instead, they said, education should prioritise the development of sound moral values and religious principles.

The statement also said the government had a responsibility to respect the religious and social values of the people. Such remarks were not expected from someone holding an important position like the education minister, they said, urging him to refrain from taking positions that could create confusion among the public.

The Ameer and Secretary General of Hefazat-e-Islam demanded that the education minister immediately withdraw his controversial remarks and clarify his position before the nation. They also warned that the country’s education system must ensure due respect for the religious values of the majority.