Prothom Alo, the leading and influential media of the country, was criticized in many ways due to its various controversial activities. Not only their effort in de-politicization, the agenda of the Prothom Alo also included safeguarding the interest of India and promoting ‘Atheism’ in disguise of its so-called ‘secular’ editorial principles. The newspaper has been engaged in multi-sided propaganda against Islam. In addition, it has been spreading atrocities against Islam in the name of taking a position against militancy.
Anisul Hoque, the managing editor of the newspaper, is an Atheist, an anti-Islamist, and a pro-Awami League writer. Everyone knows about the close connection between Sheikh Rehana, the younger sister of ousted fascist head of government Sheikh Hasina and Anisul Hoque. Anisul Hoque wrote a series of novels based on the biography of Sheikh Mujib by taking a share of Sheikh Rehana’s money which she had earned through the process of looting. There we find many controversial statements. However, there were serious allegations of ignoring Islam and distorting the meaning of the Holy Quran against Prothom Alo and Anisul Hoque.
Anisul Hoque has been writing a series of satirical articles named ‘Goddo Cartoon’ (Prose Cartoon) after the foundation of Prothom Alo. The write ups of Goddo Cartoon were assembled in a book which was published in 2010. There, his writings were clearly a defamation of the Holy Quran.
There is a chapter in the 'Goddo Cartoon' written by Anisul Hoque called 'Sahi Razakarnama'. In it, the meaning of the Holy Quran, the religious book of 90 percent of Muslims in Bangladesh, and the verses of various surahs are presented in a direct satirical manner. In his work, Anisul Hoque distorts the meaning of the verses of the Holy Quran and gives it a satirical meaning. For example, the first verse of the first surah of the Holy Quran says, “All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the worlds.” The author writes in Sahi Razakarnama, “All praise is due to the Razakars.” Another verse of Surah Fatiha says, “You alone do we worship and You alone do we seek help.” Anisul Hoque satirically distorted the verse, writing, “And praises the Razakars and seeks help from the Razakars.” In Surah Duha verse 4 of the Holy Quran, it is said, “Indeed, the latter age is better for you than the former age.” Anisul Haque satirically wrote, “Indeed, the future has been created better for the Razakars than the past.”
In Surah Nisa, it was stated, “And fear that you will not be able to fulfill the rights of orphan girls properly; but marry from among them those who please you, two, three or four. And if you fear that you will not be able to maintain just conduct between them, then (marry) only one, or (marry) the slave girls that your right hands possess.” Anisul Haque, in opposition to this verse, has written, denigrating the Muslim nation and mocking the Holy Book, “The best Razakar is the one who marries, one, two, three, four, as he wishes, and the slave girls that his right hand possesses are made lawful for him, and they will enjoy the Bengali women, and there will be no need to exchange them. Remember, there was no obstacle in the way of meeting the Mal-e-Ganimot (captured goods).”
In verse 16 of Surah Mursalat of the Holy Quran, it is said, “Did We not destroy the former people (the disbelieving oppressors)?” Anisul Hoque satirizes this verse and writes, “A sinner named Galileo denied the truth in the past, and did he not receive the severest punishment?.” In verses 31-34 of Surah An-Naba of the Holy Quran, it is said, “On the other hand, for the righteous is the ultimate success. (That is) gardens, grapes (a gathering of fruits), (there are also) beautiful young women of full youth.” Anisul Hoque distorts this verse and writes, “And for them is good news. Waiting for them are the top of the state and eternal youth for women and eternal youth for young men. Who does not like a good message, a smooth bottom and an oily vagina?” In this way, distorting the verse of the Quran, Anisul Hoque also wrote, “Praise your Lord Pakistan. Indeed, your Lord Pakistanis are powerful.” Anisul Hoque has used the tone of the Holy Quran and the classic language of the Bengali translation of the Quran in every sentence in work 'Sahi Razakarnama' to satirize and distort the verse of the Quran. Although a legal notice was sent to Prothom Alo and Anisul Hoque for their anti-Islamic activities, the Prothom Alo authorities did not respond.
This does not end here; in 2007, there were also allegations of Islamophobia against Prothom Alo. At that time, protest programs were held across the country against this magazine. A cartoon published in the 431st issue of Prothom Alo's satire magazine 'Alpin' on September 17, 2007, caused a storm of criticism across the country. Religious devotees strongly protested against it. The published cartoon showed a dialogue between a boy and an adult which was insulting to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The dialogue in the cartoon was such that when the boy was asked his name, he did not say 'Muhammad' before the name. It is worth noting that the Muslim community of Bangladesh uses it in honor of the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad (peace be upon him). The adult man in the cartoon asks the boy to use the word 'Muhammad' before all names. Then, in the dialogue of the cartoon, when the man asked the boy what he was holding on, the boy replied, "Muhammad the cat." The accusation of directly insulting the "Prophet" (PBUH) in the dialogue was raised.
At that time, in 2007, there was a 1/11 regime and extreme political instability was going on in the country. In such a situation, this cartoon by Prothom Alo made the country even more unstable. Religious devotees from all over the country were outraged by the strong protest against this cartoon published in Prothom Alo. To deal with the situation, the then 1/11 government held a formal meeting with the religious leaders of the government. There was a demand to cancel the registration of Prothom Alo. To bring the situation to a favorable one, the then caretaker government declared a ban on the sale of the 431st issue of Alpin. All its copies were confiscated and the author of the cartoon, Arifur Rahman, was arrested. Later, Alpin and the editor of the Prothom Alo, Matiur Rahman, apologized in a notice in his newspaper and, under pressure from the devotees, publicly 'repented' by placing his hand in the hand of the then Khatib of Baitul Mukarram, Maulana Ubaidul Haque.
A few days ago, a procession was held on the streets against Prothom Alo. There was a demand to cancel its registration. A group of people even protested in front of that media office. They also called Prothom Alo a 'broker' of a special group. In protest, the protesters slaughtered a pair of cows in front of the Prothom Alo office. On the other hand, on October 31, a group of students burned the copies of Prothom Alo and the Daily Star at the gate of Shaheed Sergeant Zahurul Haque Hall of Dhaka University and called for a boycott of the two newspapers. Many students took the initiative to call for a boycott and wrote against the two newspapers in a Facebook group called 'Dhaka University Students' Union'. But despite all this, Prothom Alo seems to be untouchable. This newspaper, which implements Indian policy, is still working behind the scenes.
Translated by: Md Lutful Hoque Khan
Bd-pratidin English
