BSS, Dhaka :
Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr. Hasan Mahmud said that the violence carried out in different parts of the country, including in Brahmanbaria, under the banner of an organization backed by BNP and Jamaat has tarnished the image of Islam.
“Through the violence, they (BNP-Jammat) dreamt of making Bangladesh as like as Afghanistan,” he told the inaugural function of Mujib Corner and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Research Centre for Islam and Inter-religious Dialogue (BRCIID) at International Islamic University Chattogram (IIUC) on Thursday evening. Professor Dr. Abu Reza Md. Nezamuddin Nadwi, MP, Chairman Board of Trustees (IIUCT) presided over the function while Deputy Minister for Education Barrister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury, MP, addressed the function as main speaker.
“The violence carried out centering the arrival of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was mere an excuse. Islam never permits these atrocities and this evil force must be resisted,” he minister said. He said that a journalist, Shaurab, has been asked to recite Kalema in Narayanganj for identifying whether he was a Hindu or Muslim. “In another place, attempts had been made to open clothes of a man to see if he was a Hindu or a Muslim. These were done by the invading forces in 1971. Those who are doing these things now are the next generation of evil forces as they helped the invading forces to commit genocide in Bangladesh in 1971,” he added. Dr. Hasan, also Awami League (AL) Joint General Secretary, said those who were involved in the management of IIUC in the past were associated with evil force. “Earlier, the evil force established its rock-solid abode in this university. Now this university has been rescued from the hands of that evil force. This evil power must be resisted,” he added.
The minister further said that Bangabandhu’s birth anniversary was not celebrated in this university in the past. “Our national days were not celebrated here properly. Today, on the occasion of Bangabandhu’s birth centenary, Mujib Corner and Research Center is being inaugurated here, for which I convey my thanks to the new Board of Trustees and the university authorities,” he said.
Speaking on the occasion, Barrister Mahibul Hasan Chowdhury said, “No political party has established this university, nor it is the property of any political party.”
“The university was established here by the efforts of those who wanted to take the nation to the international arena in Islamic education and to educate people of all faiths in higher education including in religion, technology and science” he added. The deputy minister said that the law governing of the private university has specific provisions that those who are involved in militancy, fundamentalism and anarchy in the country in no way can be involved to run the university.
Khadizatul Anwar Sony, MP and Prof. Anwarul Azim, acting Vice Chancellor of IIUC, among others, spoke as special guests. Professor Saleh Zahour, member board of trustee of IIUC, gave the welcome speech.
