Bangladesh has become fiercely on three Islamic issues. Under the plea of unilateral education policy for the country, eight subjects were made compulsory up to Grade VIII in the recently launched National Education Policy. This policy was also passed by the Jaitya Sangsad (parliament). As per provisions of the approved policy, these eight subjects are also compulsory for the students of Islamic seminaries, including the Quomi and Alia madrasahs.
For inclusion of the Quran and other Islamic subjects in the curriculum of different madrasahs permissions have to be taken from the government through appropriate authorities. It means sons and daughters of Muslim families who want to receive Islamic education or read the Quran and Hadith in madrasah have to be dependent on the mercy or kindness of the official authorities. It is totally disgraceful for Muslims. It is a move to show disrespect to the holy Quran and Hadith. It is nothing but an audacious move of the government. It is a long drawn ploy to make the country devoid of Islamic education, so to say devoid of madrasahs. It is a great conspiracy to make the nation devoid of the Quran and "iman" (faith). So, for logical reason the Islam-loving people of the country could not accept this anti-religion education policy. Nonetheless, people of this country will never except such audacious policy that would make the country devoid of Islamic education, or in other words devoid of education based on the Quran and Hadith.
Banning Issuance of Fatwa
When the ulema were in a way to find out a negotiated settlement with the government of the education policy, Islam got another blow from the high court that issued a judgment snatching away the lawful and religious rights of the ulema over issuance of fatwa. This verdict has added fuel to fire as the country's ulema are already agitated over a number of anti-Islamic moves of the incumbent government.
The high court verdict banning issuance of fatwa came on the Islamic forces of the country at a speed much more than that of the 2001 tsunami. It has rocked the entire ulema community in such a way that no force will be able to cool down such agitations and commotions. It would rather be strengthened and intensified and might turn into thunder bolt of anger. No government authority should have any power to snatch away the rights of performing religious rituals as per everyone's religious faiths and believes. There is no power in this world that could touch the core of people's inherent right to religion. But this government has already hurt the religious faith, belief, and sentiment of the God-fearing people. The government is out to play with people's fundamental rights.
Commotion and Dissatisfaction
Again, when the commotion and dissatisfaction of the entire Islam-loving people rose at its peak over the anti-Quran education policy and anti-Islam high court verdict on fatwa, the government again, has jumped from pan to fire by enunciating a complete anti-Islamic women development policy. Naturally, the entire country has assumed a fiercely look. The Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, even the prime minister herself is advocating that there is nothing as such anti-Quran and anti-Islam clauses in the proposed women development policy. At the same time like before they are categorically declaring that they would not promulgate any laws in the country contrary to Islam or the Quran or Sunna.
However, such hallow assurances or tall talks could not appease the agitated Muslims of the country. To them such assurances not to enact any anti-Islamic laws are considered by people mere political slogans and tricks to befool the common people. The country's ulema are considering such announcement of the government as strategy to subside the public commotion. However, the ulema community has also cast doubts about the prudence and ability of the grand combine government to understand the inner essence of religion and the real dictations and teachings of the Quran and Hadith. They said that the statements and observations so far made by ministers and other government hierarchy on such burning issues had only demonstrated their lack of knowledge and idiotic way of thinking.
Integrated Movements Needed
So, there is no scope for the ulema community to be soften toward the government unless full assurances could be obtained from the authority on noninclusion of any anti-Islamic or anti-Quran provisions in the women development policy and the national education policy. In addition, there must be clear explanation and assurances from the government that ulema's right to issue fatwa would remain unaffected under any circumstances. Rather, all Islam-loving people, Islamic-political parties, various organizations of the ulema community should come at a common platform and launch integrated movements at least on these three minimum issues.
The ongoing movements should be made more vigorous and violent until full implementation of the demands raised by the country's ulema. It is the history of our nation that no movements of the ulema went in vain. Many imprudent and rash decisions of the government were withdrawn in the past following strong movements and agitations of the Islam-loving people of the country.
No comments:
Post a Comment