Tariqat Parishad seeks punishment for attacks on shrines
The Bangladesh Tariqat Parishad has called for strict punishment for those responsible for attacking religious institutions, including shrines and spiritual centers across the country.
The leaders of the organization made this demand during a press conference at the National Press Club on Saturday (September 7).
The organisation from the press conference demanded immediate arrest and exemplary punishment for those involved in vandalism at shrines, enhancing security for all darbars, shrines, and spiritual centers, preventing disturbances during religious gatherings such as annual, monthly, and weekly mahfils at shrines and khankahs, and reinstating Sunni Imams in mosques across the country where they have been removed.
Speakers at the event voiced their concerns, asking their opponents not to mistake their patience for weakness. They said they do not seek communal unrest but wish to support the government.
They said many are targeting shrines under the guise of student activism and warned against endangering the government by allowing such acts to continue.
The leaders defended their religious practices, saying, that there is no constitutional ban on music in shrines and they are not concerned with who visits shrines—all are equal in the eyes of our spiritual leaders.
They iterated that the Tariqat Parishad is a non-political organisation but demanded adequate security for their religious sites.
Professor Dr Mustafa Abul Ulayi of the Philosophy Department at Dhaka University, the event's chief guest, said, "We do not worship shrines, but rather honour them as sacred spaces of wali-Allah. The Sufi path embraces Tawheed, and it is the greatest form of unity with the divine. We must walk the path of justice."
He cautioned against allowing further injustices in the country, urging for peace and mutual respect for differing beliefs.
"Differences of opinion are natural, but we must all live in harmony," he said, noting that even former president Ziaur Rahman began his political journey by visiting the shrine of Shah Jalal (RA).
Zakir Hossain, the chief adviser of the organization, welcomed the attendees, while general secretary Shamsul Alam Chinti read out a written statement.
Syed Zafar Sadek Shah, a presidium member, warned that attempts are being made to disrupt society by manipulating student movements.
He called for safeguarding the rights of all citizens to ensure the country's peace and stability.
