Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh (HIB) on Saturday accused atheists and anti-Islamic section of carrying out a planned campaign against its chief Allama Shah Ahmed Shafi by misconstruing his sermons on women.

In a statement, the HIB said after failing to face them, the anti-Islamic section has resorted to falsehood against Allama Shafi, a highly respected Islamic scholar in the country.

 “They are now misconstruing his remarks to create confusion out of fear, as Hifazat-e Islam has gained the people’s support,” said Mohibullah Babunagri, senior nayeb-e-ameer of Hefazat, in a statement.

The Hefazat statement also said that Shafi had not suggested to keep women confined to home but reminded them of their main duties in the family.

 “Even he did not say anything against women’s education but had warned all about the bad effects of coeducation,” the statement further said.

 “Atheists and their patrons are running a smear campaign saying that Allama Shah Ahmed Shafi has delivered an indecent and anti-women speech in his sermon.”

Babunagri said the Hefazat chief has been using a method for his sermons. He gives examples is a traditional method so that the rural people easily understand it. It is being used for decades.

The statement said Shafi’s words which were dubbed indecent could be seen in books, advertisements, health-related leaflets and booklets.

 “In his sermons the words Allama Shafi used as examples are being used in rural areas for decades but those were never called indecent,” it added.

 “Allama Shah Ahmad Shafi is the pride of Alems in this country. He has been giving sermons in the light of Islamic principles so that Muslims in Bangladesh can live their lives in line with the Islami Shariah,” Babunagri added.

Ends/AMA/14/07/13