Ulema rally issues 9 demands including mandatory religious education

Nine key demands were announced from the grand rally at Suhrawardy Udyan on Tuesday, convened by some leading ulema to counter a factional split within Tabligh Jamaat, , including introduction of compulsory religious education in the national curriculum.

Maulana Mahfuzul Haque, Chief Patron of Shaikhul Hadith Parishad and Secretary General of Befakul Madarisil Arabia, presented these demands at the rally.

The nine demands include:

Qawmi education regulation 

Qawmi education should be managed under Darul Uloom Deoband, and efforts by separatist groups to divide Tabligh Jamaat must be stopped.

Compulsory religious education 

Religious education should be integrated as a mandatory subject in the general education curriculum.

Withdrawal of cases against ulema 

All cases filed by previous governments against ulema must be withdrawn.

Justice for Shapla Chattar incident 

Individuals responsible for the carnage at Shapla Chattar should be brought back to the country and held accountable. All related false cases across the nation should also be dismissed.

Trial for 2018 Tongi ijtema ground attack 

Those responsible for the 2018 attacks on scholars at Tongi ijtema ground must be prosecuted.

Ban on Saad Kandhlawi’s entry 

Maulana Saad Kandhlawi and his followers have been accused of criticising the Prophet's companions and ignoring Tabligh principles. Therefore, Darul Uloom Deoband decried his view. He has to be barred from entry into Bangladesh, and it must be enforced.

Saad followers should not be allowed hold ijtema 

The ulema should be allowed to hold the Biswa Ijtema in both the phases, as per the government’s announcement. Saad followers would be allowed hold ijtema in the second phase. The first phase is scheduled for January 27-29, and the second for February 7-9. Full government cooperation is requested.

Restricting activities at Kakrail mosque 

Activities at Kakrail Mosque should be limited to operations sanctioned by the Shura starting today.

Declaring Qadianis non-Muslims 

The Qadiani community should immediately be declared non-Muslim.