Hefazat-e-Islami Bangladesh (HIB) has refuted its link with audio message of al-Qaeda chief Ayman al Zawahiri.
Ameer of HIB Allama Shah Ahmad Shafi and secretary general Allama Hafez Muhammad Junayed Babunagori in a joint statement issued on Saturday said that Hefazat-e-Islam or ulema have no relations at all with Zawahiri’s audio message which was released on Saturday through internet. “Ayman al Zawahiri or al-Qaeda organization is the creation of imperialist forces. We are not aware as to who released the audio message or their motive. We are doubtful, it may be another conspiracy against Muslims of the country and its independence and severity,” said the statement.
In the audio message, Zawahiri alleged that thousands of people are being killed in the streets of Bangladesh for protesting against a “collusion of the anti-Islam secular government” and invited people to “confront this crusader onslaught against Islam.”
The HIB leaders said the Hefazat-e-Islam has been carrying out peaceful movement to implement its 13-point movement from a non-political position to protect faith and believe, resist anti-Islamic activities and protect independence and sovereignty of the country.
They said despite different types of repression including the Shapla Square tragedy, attacks, harassment, arrest and provocation, the Hefazat leaders showed patience instead of not involving in carrying out anarchy and vandalism.
The HIB leaders accused internal and external anti-Islamic forces of trying to create an Afghanistan or Iraq like situation in Bangladesh by spreading canards against ulema mashayekh and quomi madrasha with terrorism and militancy.
They also accused individuals and media of carrying out propaganda against Hefazat-e-Islam to tarnish the image of ulema and pushing the independence and sovereignty of the country to the brink.
The leaders called upon the people not to be mislead by the propaganda. – Staff Reporter
