One of the driving forces behind the recent spate of violent incidents in Bangladesh’s social and religious life is Jamaat-e-Islami. Although the party’s name contains “Islam,” its actions are completely contrary to the basic teachings of Islam and Sunni tradition. Instead, hiding behind religion, it has been pursuing violence, division, and massacres to grab political power.
Allama Imam Hayat, the founder of the World Sunni Movement and the World Insaniyat Revolution, rightly said that according to Islamic teachings every person must be free and safe to follow their own religion, belief, path, and ideals. “No one may attack another.” Yet Jamaat is using Islam as a tool for division. Real experience shows: “Jamaat is the enemy of Islam, Jamaat is the enemy of Sunnis, Jamaat attacks shrines, Jamaat kills imams.”
Political aggression under the guise of religion
For a long time in Bangladesh Jamaat has presented itself as an Islamic party. The reality, however, is that this party has no connection to Islamic teachings, spiritual traditions, or the welfare of the Sunni community. Whenever it gets the chance, it has attacked shrines, murdered pirs and imams, and set fire to khanqahs (Sufi lodges).
Not only that, they have pursued tactics to create division within the Sunni community. As a result, religious harmony has been destroyed and social stability shattered. Such actions do not represent Islam; instead, they reveal Jamaat’s power-hungry politics.
Horrific examples of violence
In places across the country — including Manikganj, Bhola and Hathazari — recent incidents of imam killings and attacks on shrines have spread fear. Even worse, 96 shrines have been demolished, and corpses have been dug up from graves and burned. This extreme contempt for humanity is not taught by Islam; it is nothing short of hellish conduct.
Division at the root of the ideology
The ideological originator of Jamaat, Abul A’la Maududi, was sentenced to death by a Pakistani court. Jamaat’s politics are built on his thinking, which is entirely disconnected from Islam’s spiritual teachings. The successors of Maududism — Jamaat — are in reality a symbol of political division and violence.
In the interest of protecting Bangladesh’s peace and social stability, civil society, religious leaders, and human rights organizations must stand together now.
Jamaat’s true face must be revealed to the people.
The security of the Sunni community must be ensured.
Strong measures must be taken to prevent violence in the name of religion.
Although they carry the name Jamaat-e-Islami, in practice they are the enemies of Islam. The demolition of shrines, exhuming and burning corpses, the killing of imams — these actions prove that they are not motivated by religion but have chosen violence as a tool for political power. For the sake of Bangladesh’s peace, social stability, and religious tolerance, Jamaat must be openly resisted now.
Those who destroy shrines, exhume corpses and burn them are not of Islam — they are hellish.
