Religious Affairs State Minister Takes Back Controversial Book Given to Hafizes

The controversial book Nexus, written by a disputed author and given as a gift to Bangladeshi Hafizes who won the 46th King Abdul Aziz International Holy Quran Competition in Saudi Arabia, has been taken back. On Sunday, Religious Affairs State Minister Mohammad Shamim Kaysar received the books back from the world-winning Hafizes at his office. The Ministry of Religious Affairs confirmed the matter in a statement.

According to the statement, the Nexus books given to the winning Hafizes were retrieved following the Prime Minister’s directive. Earlier, on Thursday, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman hosted a reception for the Hafizes who won the international Quran competition. The winners were given the Nexus books along with various other gifts at the event.

Regarding the retrieval of the books, Religious Affairs State Minister Mohammad Shamim Kaysar said the books given to the winning Hafizes were quickly retrieved following the Prime Minister’s directive.

He also said the government is continuing its efforts to implement the commitments made at the reception, including international trips and financial support announced for the winning Hafizes.

Reiterating the Prime Minister’s announcement, the State Minister said the government would provide necessary assistance to those who participate in international Quran competitions and similar contests in the future.

Present at the event were winning Hafizes Muhammad Zakaria, Sheikh Mohammad Mahmudul Hasan Ashrafi, Rabita Binte Ramadan and Musfira Binte Mahmud, along with their teachers Hafiz Qayum Molla, Hafiz Mueeduddin Majumdar, Hafiz Abu Bakar and Hafiza Sajeda Khatun. Hafiza Sajeda Khatun told Inqilab on Sunday night that the Religious Affairs State Minister expressed regret before taking back the Nexus books given to the world-winning Hafizes.

Meanwhile, Director General of the Islamic Foundation Mufti Muhibbullahil Baqi Nadvi told Inqilab on Sunday that he did not know how or by whom the Nexus books were selected, handed over to the Prime Minister and then given as gifts to the Hafizes.

Responding to a question, the Islamic Foundation DG said, “I was not invited to the reception of the Hafizes, and the Islamic Foundation did not supply the Nexus books.” The Nexus books were given during a September 17 reception for Bangladeshi Hafizes who won awards at the 46th King Abdul Aziz International Holy Quran Competition in Saudi Arabia.