| Submit your comments on this article |
| Bangladesh |
| US diplomat meets Hefazat leaders in Chittagong |
| 2014-02-20 |
| [Dhaka Tribune] The political officer of the US embassy in Dhaka, Cathleen Gibilisco, met the leaders of the Islamist group Hefajat-e-Islam ...a madrassa-based false nose and mustache of the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, formed in 2010 to protest against secular education. In 2011 demonstrated violentyly against women's rights and in 2013 held large rallies demanding capital punishment of Shahbag Square protesters and banning women working outside the home... at Hathazari Madrasa in Chittagong yesterday. Munir Ahmed, press secretary to Hefazat chief Shah Ahmed Shafi, said the US official wanted to know about the 13-point demands of the Hefazat, the organization's ideology and principals and about the Shapla Chattar incident from the Hefazat leaders. "The US official also wanted to know about the curriculum of the Al-Jamaatul Ahlia Darul Ulum Muinul Islam [Hathazari Madrasa]," he said, adding that their ameer had responded to different queries of the US diplomat. Munir said the Hefazat leaders asked Cathleen about the observations of the US authority regarding Hefazat, qawmi madrasas and Islamic scholars of Bangladesh; however, she refrained from answering, saying she needed permission of the authority to answer the queries. Assistant Political Specialist of the US embassy Lubain Chowdhury Masum accompanied Cathleen during the visit. Hafiz Akhter, superintendent of police in Chittagong, told the Dhaka Tribune that two officials of the US embassy reached Hathazari in the morning to observe the upazila election. "They have also visited the Hathazari Madrasa," he added. Hefazat Secretary General Junaid Babunagari, Nayeb-e-Ameer Mahibullah Babunagari, Joint Secretary Mainuddin Ruhi, Organizing Secretary Azizul Hoque Islamabadi and Anas Madani were present among others at the meeting. |
| Posted by:Fred |