More than 600 prominent Islamic scholars and clerics in Bangladesh have demanded an immediate ban on the daily Prothom Alo, warning of mass protests if their demands are not addressed.

In a statement issued on Saturday ( December 6), the scholars accused Prothom Alo of undermining Islamic values, tarnishing the nation’s image, and promoting agendas detrimental to Bangladesh’s cultural and religious identity.

They claim the newspaper portrays Bangladesh as a radical and failed state, discredits religious education, misrepresents the Muslim community, and ignores the positive contributions of Islamic scholars. 

The statement also accuses the publication of advancing foreign NGO agendas that oppose Islam and Bangladesh, fostering obscenity to erode family values, and attempting to replace traditional Muslim Bengali culture with a "Hinduized" language influenced by Kolkata.

Besides, the scholars allege that Prothom Alo spreads anti-male narratives, confuses the public with contradictory reporting, and acts as a pro-India mouthpiece. 

Labeling the newspaper as an "agent of Jewish-Christian imperialism," they called for its ban to protect the faith, culture, and integrity of Bangladesh.

The scholars emphasized that if the government fails to take action, they will mobilize protests to safeguard religion and national interests.

The scholars issuing the statement include- Allama Siddiqur Rahman Islamabadi, Mufti Rafiqunnabi Qasemi, Mufti Abdul Jalil Farazi, Allama Azizullah Jalalabadi, Mufti Omar Faruq Khalili, Hafez Maulana Nurul Amin Jahanabadi, Mufti Abdul Gaffar Nadvi, Principal Maulana Azizur Rahman Madani, Allama Kamal Uddin Jashori, Hafez Maulana Nurullah Bhairabi, Mufti Muhyuddin Torofdar, Maulana Mamunur Rashid Qasemi, Hafez Maulana Ali Hossain Khan, Mufti Md. Nurul Islam, Shaikhul Hadith Mohammad Jalaluddin Habiganji, Maulana Ataur Rahman Pradhania, Maulana Junaid Ali Qasemi, Maulana Abdul Bari Noor, Mufti Omar Faruq Chowdhury, Hafez Maulana Ali Hossain Akn, Maulana Zahirul Islam Hawladar, Mufti Shahadat Hossain, Allama Zillur Rahman Siddiqi, Mufti Abdul Quddus Pradhan, Mufti Sakhawat Hossain Natori, Maulana Alamgir Hossain, Mufti Nazrul Islam, Mufti Selim Uddin, Mufti Imran Hossain, Mufti Mahfuzur Rahman, Mufti Shafiqur Rahman Khan, Maulana Sirajul Islam Chowdhury, Maulana Alimuzzaman, Maulana Abdul Alim, Maulana Fazlul Haque, Maulana Gazi Rafiqul Islam, Maulana Lutfur Rahman, Maulana Khalilur Rahman, Maulana Saleh Ahmed, Maulana Ismail Kashimpuri, and Mufti Riyadul Karim Khan, among others.

BDST: 1242 HRS, DEC 07, 2024
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