Staff Reporter :Hefazat-e-Islam and some other Islamic platforms will stage demonstration across the country tomorrow (Friday), demanding arrest and capital punishment to Awami League leader and ex-minister Abdul Latif Siddique for his recent disparaging comment about Hajj, Prophet Muhammad (Sm) and the Tablig Jamaat. Hefazat-e-Islam asked the government to meet the demand. Otherwise, they would launch tougher movement. The platform will stage demonstration in Dhaka and other parts of the country tomorrow. It will hold a protest rally at the north gate of the Baitul Mokarram National Mosque after Jumma prayers. Addressing a press conference at the Baridhara Madrasah in the city, Dhaka city unit Ameer of Hefazat-e-Islam Maulana Noor Hossain Quashemi said that they would also bring out procession from the Baitul Mokarram Mosque and other parts of the country.He criticised the government for the release of Latif Siddique and demanded his arrest again without any delay. He also demanded enactment of the ‘Blasphemy Law’ to ensure capital punishment to those who hurt the people’s religious sentiment. “Latif Siddique is a self-proclaimed atheist. He hurt the religious views of crores of Muslims. He deserves capital punishment. He has to be re-arrested. Otherwise, Hefazat Ameer Allama Ahmed Shafi will announce tougher movement,” said Noor Hossain Quashemi. He urged all to take part in the tomorrow’s demonstration programme. Islami Oikya Jote (IOJ) will also stage demonstration after Jumma prayers. IOJ Chairman Maulana Abdul Latif Nejami said that they would announce hartal programme if Latif Siddique was not arrested within the time. Bangladesh Khelafat Andolan will also organise protest programme after Jumma prayers. The party’s Secretary General Maualana Zafrullah Khan said that they were preparing for tougher movement if Latif Siddique was not imprisoned. Some other Islamic parties and organisations will also arrange protest programme after Jumma prayers. Latif Siddique, former telecommunication minister, was freed from the jail on bail on Monday. At least 28 cases were filed against him for his anti-Islamic comments in the USA on September 28 last year. Amid widespread protest, he was sent to the jail on November 25 in 2014 after he surrendered to the court.
