Over 600 prominent Islamic scholars and clerics in Bangladesh have issued a statement demanding an immediate ban on the daily Prothom Alo newspaper. They have warned of launching protests if their demand is not met.
The statement, released to the media on Saturday, accuses Prothom Alo of activities detrimental to Islamic values and the interests of the nation.
The scholars allege that the newspaper is engaged in efforts to portray Bangladesh as a radical, extremist, and failed state.
The statement claims that Prothom Alo has consistently undermined religious education, depicted the Muslim community negatively, and implemented "news killing" policies against the activities of Islamic scholars.
They accuse the paper of promoting foreign NGO agendas that oppose Islam and Bangladesh, running campaigns to curb the Muslim population, and spreading obscenity to undermine family structures.
The scholars also assert that Prothom Alo is promoting a Kolkata-centric Hinduized Bengali language to replace the traditional language of Muslim Bengalis. Furthermore, they allege that the newspaper stokes anti-male sentiment by belittling men’s contributions, spreads confusion among the public with contradictory reporting, and works as a pro-India outlet from its inception.
The statement goes on to describe Prothom Alo as an "Agent of Jewish-Christian Imperialism" and calls for its ban to protect the faith, culture, and integrity of the Muslim community in Bangladesh. If the government does not act, the clerics have warned of mass protests to safeguard religion and national interests.
The scholars issuing the statement include- Allama Siddiqur Rahman Islamabadi, Mufti Rafiqunnabi Qasemi, Mufti Abdul Jalil Farazi, Allama Azizullah Jalalabadi, Mufti Omar Faruq Khalili, Hafez Maulana Nurul Amin Jahanabadi, Mufti Abdul Gaffar Nadvi, Principal Maulana Azizur Rahman Madani, Allama Kamal Uddin Jashori, Hafez Maulana Nurullah Bhairabi, Mufti Muhyuddin Torofdar, Maulana Mamunur Rashid Qasemi, Hafez Maulana Ali Hossain Khan, Mufti Md. Nurul Islam, Shaikhul Hadith Mohammad Jalaluddin Habiganji, Maulana Ataur Rahman Pradhania, Maulana Junaid Ali Qasemi, Maulana Abdul Bari Noor, Mufti Omar Faruq Chowdhury, Hafez Maulana Ali Hossain Akn, Maulana Zahirul Islam Hawladar, Mufti Shahadat Hossain, Allama Zillur Rahman Siddiqi, Mufti Abdul Quddus Pradhan, Mufti Sakhawat Hossain Natori, Maulana Alamgir Hossain, Mufti Nazrul Islam, Mufti Selim Uddin, Mufti Imran Hossain, Mufti Mahfuzur Rahman, Mufti Shafiqur Rahman Khan, Maulana Sirajul Islam Chowdhury, Maulana Alimuzzaman, Maulana Abdul Alim, Maulana Fazlul Haque, Maulana Gazi Rafiqul Islam, Maulana Lutfur Rahman, Maulana Khalilur Rahman, Maulana Saleh Ahmed, Maulana Ismail Kashimpuri, and Mufti Riyadul Karim Khan, among others.
Bd-pratidin English/Tanvir Raihan
