An imam in Cox’s Bazar has fled the mosque after offering a special prayer for the release of suspects arrested in the Banani hotel rape case, reports bdnews24.com
The incident took place after Friday-noon prayers at Baitush Sharaf Jame Masjid in the district town’s Boillapara area.
Imam Ridwanul Haque asked worshippers who congregated at the mosque for Friday prayers to take part in a special session for the protection of the rape suspects and Apan Jewellers. The jewellery brand has been under fire because a son of one of the owners is a key suspect in the rape case.
But the imam left the site abruptly after men in the mosque began protesting, asking him to explain.
The imam was preparing for prayers when Sirajul Islam Chowdhury, director general of the mosque and Baitush Sharaf Complex, whispered something to him, said Mahbub Kamal who was in the front row of devotees. “Then the imam started the special prayer.”
Local residents Helal Uddin, Saifur Rahman and Abul Bashar said they also witnessed it.
Thousands gather at the three-storey mosque for Friday prayers. They erupted in anger after the imam started praying for the protection of rape suspects.
Imam Ridwanul Haque neither received phone calls from bdnews24.com nor texted back with a comment.
The incident took place after Friday-noon prayers at Baitush Sharaf Jame Masjid in the district town’s Boillapara area.
Imam Ridwanul Haque asked worshippers who congregated at the mosque for Friday prayers to take part in a special session for the protection of the rape suspects and Apan Jewellers. The jewellery brand has been under fire because a son of one of the owners is a key suspect in the rape case.
But the imam left the site abruptly after men in the mosque began protesting, asking him to explain.
The imam was preparing for prayers when Sirajul Islam Chowdhury, director general of the mosque and Baitush Sharaf Complex, whispered something to him, said Mahbub Kamal who was in the front row of devotees. “Then the imam started the special prayer.”
Local residents Helal Uddin, Saifur Rahman and Abul Bashar said they also witnessed it.
Thousands gather at the three-storey mosque for Friday prayers. They erupted in anger after the imam started praying for the protection of rape suspects.
Imam Ridwanul Haque neither received phone calls from bdnews24.com nor texted back with a comment.
