Sharply criticising the ill-users of religion, Information Minister Hasan Mahmud said those who use religious sentiment to serve political and individual’s interests are the enemies of genuine alems (religious scholars).
“The true alems have no political interest. They only pray to Allah and give sermons to guide the common people into the right path. But today some so-called alems are busy with serving their own interest capitalising on religious sentiment,” he said.
The minister made the remarks while addressing a discussion on anarchy in the name of religion, anti-religious activities of so-called religious leaders and Islam as a religion of peace, organised by Bangladesh United Islami Party (BUIP), at the conference room of Islamic Foundation at Baitul Mukarram on Thursday.
State Minister for Religious Affairs Md Faridul Haque Khan and Jatiya Party presidium member Kazi Md Mamunur Rashid addressed the discussion as special guests with BUIP chairman Maulana Md Ismail Hossain in the chair.
Hasan said lists of illegal wealth of Babunagari and Mamunul Haque have come out. They have collected toll from different persons at home and abroad by showing madrashas and they use to visit resorts with other’s wife for entertainment, he added.
“Even, they deposited the money of Jakat and Fitra to their own accounts for leading a lavish life. Are they Alems?,” said Hasan, also Awami League joint general secretary.
The minister said, “There is no other vehicle except one for police protection which was allocated for me as the minister. But there were about 10 vehicles when Mamunul Haque went somewhere. How he got the money? Does he have any industry or business? Their business is to collect toll by showing madrashas. The persons who do this work are the enemies of Islam.”
He said those persons are enemies of Islam who burned the houses of commoners, land offices and vehicles of fire brigade in the name of religion.
He said there are more enemies of Islam who have been arrested. It is needed to unmask those people after identifying them, he added.
