Desperate attempts to ruin social harmony by false preaching in the name of Islam will not be tolerated - Obaidul Quader MP

A radical group is creating unnecessary debates over establishment of statues of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. These imaginary and baseless explanations are a challenge against the spirit of the Liberation War and the culture of Bangladesh. A group of religious fundamentalist group is spreading misinterpretation over the sculpture of independent Bangladesh's architect Bangabandhu, to spread hatred among religious citizen.

After liberation, Bangabandhu established Islamic Foundation to boost Islamic research. Bangabandhu reformed the Madrasah Board for flourishing religious education and gave land to Tabligh Jamaat for preaching Islam.

Following the footsteps of Bangabandhu, his daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, as a devoted follower of Islam, is establishing model mosque complex in every upazila to foster true Islamic practice.

There is no scope to believe that any anti-Islamic work will take place in the country when a religious Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is running the government.

Those who are spreading misleading information by calling ‘sculpture’ as ‘idol’ are remaining in illusion as the country’s Alem society and Islamic scholars have already repeatedly cleared it that sculptures and idols are not the same.
Islam is our religion. As per the rules and regulations of the religion, there is no scope to make exaggeration on any religious issue. Creating debates on the religious issue has been discouraged in Islam.

Some arrogant religious leader made indecent comments about dragging down the sculptures of Bangabandhu. These types of comments create questions in the minds of the people about their religious practices and Islamic tastes.

The words "Tamasila" in verse 13 of Surah Saba and "Asnam" in verse 35 of Surah Ibrahim are not the same.

The Mufassirs think that Tamasila means sculpture and Asnam means idol-worship. These two words are being intentionally misinterpreted by the fundamentalist religious group.

I call for the practice of true Islam and refrain from misinterpretation the religion. I also call for not using religion in political issues.

Don't take the simplicity of the government as a weakness, the people will revolt if you make any attempt to destroy the peace and harmony of the society.

Prime Minister has already said at several occasions that there will be no law against the holy Quran. The government will take strong measures to stop these desperate attempts to ruin religious and communal harmony.

We call upon the people who believe in the independence of the country, in the spirit of the liberation war, to unite against all activities against the spirit of the liberation war.

- Obaidul Quader MP, General Secretary of Bangladesh Awami League and Honorable Minister for Road Transport and Bridges