Islamist Parties Adamant Against Constructing Sculptures; What Is Govt Doing

Islamic thinkers in Bangladesh who have spoken out against sculpture say they are still adamant and are preparing to write a letter to the Prime Minister.

They are hopeful of meeting the Prime Minister soon to resolve the issue through discussion.

This information was given to BBC Bangla by Maulana Neyamtullah Al Faridi, a senior muhaddith of Jatrabari Bara Madrasa. He was present at both the meeting of Islamic thinkers at Jatrabari Madrasa on Saturday and the press conference that followed.

At the end of the meeting, a five-point proposal was made in this regard, mentioning that 'sculpture construction is forbidden in Islam'.

It was also informed that a letter in this regard would be sent to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

They say a delegation led by one of their leaders, Mahmudul Hasan, will try to resolve the issue through talks with the prime minister.

Mr. Faridi said preparations were underway to make the letter that was supposed to be given. The meeting is expected to be held in a day or two.

However, the Awami League says an extremist quarter is trying to create religious divisions in the country.

In a video conference, Awami League General Secretary and Minister for Road Transport and Bridges Obaidul Quader said an extremist sectarian group was trying to create religious divisions over issues resolved in history.

He warned that the Awami League does not attack on its own but if it is attacked, it does not hesitate to build a resistance.

Mr. Quader said, "Bangladesh Awami League workers will not remain silent at home if they go too far."

"I want to make it clear to the extremist group that you have done a lot, enough is enough, stop now."

Awami League joint general secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif said the government would take a decision after discussing the situation created due to opposition to the construction of the sculpture.

However, the country will run according to the constitution based on principles such as democracy and secularism, and if you want to stay in this country, you have to abide by it, said Mr. Hanif.

"People don't think those who have difficulty abiding by the constitution have any right to stay in this country," he said.

In this regard, a government minister told BBC Bangla that discussions are underway at a high level of the government to handle this situation.

Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, a former information adviser to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, said law enforcement would work to deal with the violence.

"It is illegal for you to break something with your own hands. And it is the job of the government's law enforcement to face something illegal."

Mr. Chowdhury thinks that the way to resolve the whole issue is to sit down and discuss with both the parties.

"They are making demands. There will be discussions, debates, even large gatherings. But there is nothing that can incite violence. The only way to solve everything is to negotiate."

In addition to taking a stand against the construction of sculptures, the scholars have also used information technology to demand "strict surveillance of the abusive treatment of the Prophet of Islam and maximum legal action against those responsible."

They also described Waz Mahfil as "unwelcome" for "issuing instructions on the use of loudspeakers on the pretext of noise pollution."