The State Minister for Religious Affairs Started a Drama by Visiting Various Madrasas and Markazes: Maulana Yusufi

Strong criticism has been voiced over the appointment and recent activities of State Minister for Religious Affairs Shamim Kaiser Lincoln at a National Ulema-Mashaykh Convention in Dhaka on Tuesday (August 25). The convention began at 10am at the Diploma Engineers Institute in Kakrail. Maulana Abdur Rab Yusufi, senior vice-president of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Bangladesh, was among the speakers.

In his speech, Maulana Abdur Rab Yusufi criticised the government’s approach to Qawmi madrasa scholars and questioned the State Minister for Religious Affairs appointment. Referring to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s meeting with Allama Babunagari, he said, “The Prime Minister went to Babunagri Sahib, sought blessings – Mashallah, good words. But upon returning to Dhaka, he took a decision against the statements and statements made by Babunagri Sahib. This shows the government’s extremely misleading policy.”

Questioning the State Minister for Religious Affairs appointment, he said, “Previously, a full minister was never appointed in the Ministry of Religion, but a minister of state. Why did we have to appoint a minister of state again despite having a full minister this time, and if we have to appoint one, it has to be Lincoln Sahib – what does this mean? We cannot accept this in any way.”

Criticising the State Minister for Religious Affairs visits to different madrasas and Markazes, He said, “As soon as he came to power, he started some dramas. He started visiting different madrasas, different Markazes, and some of our brothers started giving bouquets of flowers.” He urged scholars to remain cautious and warned, “The country’s scholarly community will not accept anyone who creates obstacles to faith, belief, and religious positions under any circumstances.”