Hefazat-e-Islam Amir Babunagari: Voting for Jamaat-e-Islami Is ‘Not Permissible’ for Muslims
Hefazat-e-Islam Amir Muhibbullah Babunagari has said that voting for Jamaat-e-Islami would not be “permissible” (jaez) for Muslims. He claimed that if Jamaat comes to power, the interests of Islam and Muslims would be harmed.
He made these remarks on Thursday night at a religious gathering held at Kazi’s Hat Boro Madrasa in Fatikchhari upazila of Chattogram. Local Islamic scholars and students were present at the mahfil, which was organized on the occasion of the completion (khatam) of Bukhari Sharif.
A video of Babunagari’s speech from the event later spread on social media. In the video, he is heard speaking in the Chattogram regional dialect, saying, “I tell all Muslims, voting for them is haram; it will not be permissible.”
He alleged that Jamaat-e-Islami does not represent Islamic ideals. Using strong language, he said, “If we cannot strictly deprive them of votes and if they come to power, they will uproot Islam and harm Muslims.”
At the same event, the Hefazat Amir expressed support for BNP-nominated candidate Sarwar Alamgir in the Chattogram-2 (Fatikchhari) constituency. Seating the candidate beside him, he said, “We are not voting for him; rather, we are waging jihad with him in front—against Maududi’s Jamaat.”
He further said, “I do not understand elections; this is jihad.” Such remarks have created fresh controversy in the political arena.
Babunagari has previously criticized Jamaat-e-Islami publicly on several occasions. At different times, he has also described the party as “hypocritical.”
Senior Qawmi scholars, including Nazirhat Boro Madrasa Muhatamim Maulana Habibur Rahman Qasemi, were present at the event.
Political analysts say that such statements, using religious rhetoric and fatwas to influence voters, may once again create controversy in the election and democratic process.
