Trained in foreign lands, they spread inland

[ekatturerBangalee]

Many among us are still in State of Denial. How does Jamat, JMB, have to do anything with so many bomb blasts across the country? They are just peace loving Muslims, teaching all the good things in the Madrashas. It has to be a ploy by the opposition. Why on earth Bangladeshis are ruining our images to the world by talking about Islamic Militancy and Extremism in BD? Blah Blah Blah..

If you are a patriot, then speak up. People need to know what’s going on in BD these days. If you show stuff with images, you can’t deny but admit even if it is painful to so many among us to see Islam and Religion being used by some crackpots to introduce Sharias and wipe out our Bangla heritage. The August 17 bomblasts is now under intense investigation due to a worldwide outcry the gruesome incident had generated. The concerned citizens can demand for investigation and punishment but the whole process needs sincerity from the government in power. In fact, the present government did not show any sincerity in investigating any attack on the moderate political parties and secular cultural organizations. They tried to cover up and confuse the public by blaming the victims themselves for the crime. Many high level leaders of the present fundamentalist coalition government continued to blame the opposition. By actively participation in the blame game, they have again condoned the brutal attack on secularist forces of Bangladesh never mind the fact that they have encouraged the grenade throwers to become bolder in their modus operandi. It would not be a surprise if the culprits continue attacking the moderate political parties and their allied cultural organizations in Bangladesh going forward.
Under the present government, the police forces are in fact helpless. They cannot round up the original perpetrators of the crime. Instead, they are under pressure to catch someone who could be used to divert the attention from the original culprits, mainly the extremist fundamentalists. It is not an unknown fact that the militant fundamentalist organizations are actively pursuing to destabilize the Muslim countries of the world. Bangladesh is not out of their consideration.

However, in Bangladesh, the present government consists of Jamaat-i-Islami, which formed armed cadre groups such as Al Badars, Al Shams, etc., to eliminate and kill secular forces. They are alleged to carry out the killings of many intellectuals at the wee hours of our independence in December 1971. How can we be certain that they are not encouraging the armed militant Islamic fundamentalist groups using their power in Bangladesh? Who will be the beneficiaries if the militant Islamic groups destabilize Bangladesh a la mode Afghanistan by killing and eliminating secular parties and their allied organizations?

After all these hoopla, maybe just maybe, one day our politicians will come to sense, take responsibility for the current mess, fix our corrupt judiciary system, get rid of the extremists and bring back prosperity to the country.

[Banglatiger84]

if you categorise people killed by "islamic extremists" and "secular" people from independence to 2005, I am sure the latter category will be responsible for far more deaths.

Extremists who claim to be islamic are just one of many ills our country has been plagued with.
People have been burned or bombed to death by AL workers enforcing hartal. Are those deaths any less painful than those by "islamic extremists"?

Its not like Bangladesh was a perfectly safe and secure place when "secular forces" were in power. They are equally to blame for our image and condition.

People were killed during AL's reign, and are being killed now. Whats important is to bring all killers tojustice, and not to magnify crimes commited by any one group.

[ekatturerBangalee]

Khulna mosques used as militants' training camp

"...Masud bin Ishaque, arrested in Khulna for suspected links to the August 17 serial blasts, yesterday confessed to having trained the Islamist militants in firearms and bombs in Khulna city. Giving a confessional statement to the chief metropolitan magistrate in Khulna, he also said Ahle Hadith Andolan Bangladesh (Ahab) chief Dr Asadullah al Galib, Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) chief Abdur Rahman, and some other militant leaders had met him in Khulna on numerous occasions in the last three years to discuss the training programme for the militants. Masud further disclosed that JMB was also responsible for the bomb attacks on circus and cinemas in 2002...."

http://www.thedailystar.net/2005/09/19/d5091901011.htm

[Pundit]

Were not some members warned in the past for repeatedly posting newspaper articles ? Just curious.

But I guess this topic is close to heart of some mods as well ? Is it not ?

; )

Just kiddin.

[ekatturerBangalee]

Originally posted by Pundit
Were not some members warned in the past for repeatedly posting newspaper articles ? Just curious.

But I guess this topic is close to heart of some mods as well ? Is it not ?

; )

Just kiddin.

Pundit,

Why can't you admit that being a die-hard BNP fan, you can't take it anymore that all these nonsense are happening right now at the tip of the nose of BNP Govt.?

Just kiddin

[ekatturerBangalee]

Bomb Squad Training

Ex-lance corporal held on suspicion
60-member team carried out attacks in capital
Star Report

"...Detectives arrested retired lance corporal of the army Harun-ur-Rashid, suspected to have trained up the bomb squad of Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), in city's Mirpur area early yesterday..."

http://www.thedailystar.net/2005/09/21/d5092101044.htm

[Pundit]

BNP fan ! That's the first time someone has accused me of that, I think ! Never have really been in BD when BNP ran the country, never even as much as heard a beep of BNP from my folks, either. So I am confounded.

Well, atleast its now clear that its all about politics to you.

I believe I have expressed my concern with all things detrimental to Bangladesh (that's Bengal for you, still, right ?).

[ekatturerBangalee]

Masud confesses arms training held at N'ganj
JMB cadres held secret meet at
Azampur mosque after Aug 17
Lance Nayek Harun taken on 7-day remand

"...In Dhaka, arrested Masud confessed that, the JMB also held a three-day workshop on 'theoretical arms training and Islami Jihad' in Narayanganj district. Military chief of JMB Ataur Rahman, who is the younger brother of top JMB leader Shaekh Abdur Rahman, along with two other top militants, conducted the training where a good number of apprentice militants took part.

"The JMB top leaders trained us sketching the pictures of deadly weapons on the wall board," grilled JMB member Abdur Rahman alias Masud, 18, disclosed this to the members of the Detective Branch (DB) of police Wednesday. ..."

http://www.bangladeshobserveronline....9/22/front.htm



Edited on, September 22, 2005, 1:22 AM GMT, by ekatturerBangalee.

[ekatturerBangalee]

'Mastermind' of Aug 17 blasts held

KHULNA
“…The law enforcers have claimed that at least 60 bombs were made in Abdul Hakim's house at Bagmara in Batiaghata and of those, 17 were exploded at 13 points across Khulna. Six JMB cadres were assigned to detonate the bombs, said Mahbubur Rahman, Officer-in-Charge of Batiaghata Police Station….”

BOGRA
“…Abdur Razzak, arrested at a furniture shop in Nepaltoli area of Gabtoli upazila late Thursday night, yesterday admitted his links to the blasts in Bogra on August 17, reports our Bogra correspondent. He also said Abdul Hamid, a JMB cadre from Rajshahi, used to train some 150 men in firearms at dead of night at Bhatghara Char in Nepaltoli. He said Hamid had supplied him and six others with bombs at about 10:00am on August 17 and taught them how to turn on the switches fitted with the bombs…”

JOYPURHAT
“…Police yesterday arrested two activists of JMB in Kalai area in connection with the August 17 blasts in the district, reports UNB….”

RAJSHAHI
“…Police last evening picked up Abdul Wadud from Ahab mosque at Nawdapara. A militant suspect, Wadud is the son of Ahle Hadith Andolon Bangladesh's second-in-command Shaikh Abdus Samad Salafi. Police yesterday were gathering information about his role in the explosions. Samad Salafi was arrested along with Galib on February 23….”

DHAKA
“…Police arrested one suspected member of JMB in Dhamrai area early yesterday. The arrestee, Ershad, 29, hails from Ashulia village of Dhamrai. Police said they have gathered from the arrested youth some evidence relating to the bomb attacks. …”

BAGERHAT
“…Hafez Mohammad Keramat Ali, 50, and Abdullah Sheikh, 45, who were held on Wednesday in Bagerhat, were being interrogated for their 'links to the bomb attacks', reports BDNEWS. In another development, Maulana Abdullah Gazi was brought to Bagerhat from Joint Interrogation Cell (JIC) in Dhaka and was sent to jail yesterday….”

http://www.thedailystar.net/2005/09/24/d5092401011.htm

[imtiaz82]

Islam disapproves of terrorism
Scholars tell seminar in capital
Staff Correspondent

Leading Islamic scholars and thinkers from South and Southeast Asia yesterday denounced terrorism and destruction of life in the name of Islam or any religion in a continued bid to clear the Muslims of alleged involvement in such activities.

They said Islam disapproves of militancy, extremism, wars, disorder, hatred and all sorts of terrorism; it rather preaches and promulgates peace, progress, moderation, tolerance and harmony.

The very objective of Islam is to promote ethical values, while any act of violence causing deaths of innocent people or destruction of property frustrates the basic spirit of the religion, they added.

The scholars were speaking on the second day of a three-day regional seminar on "Islam: Religion of Peace, Progress and Harmony; Bangladesh: Model of a Moderate Muslim Nation" at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre.

Organised by the Dhaka-based Centre for National and Regional Studies (CNRS), the seminar is being attended by Islamic scholars from Pakistan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Singapore and host Bangladesh.

The speakers said the Muslims usually react when there is injustice and disorder, but they never cross the limit as it is completely prohibited in the Holy Qur'an.

They claimed current struggles of the Muslims around the globe are for freedom, rights and establishing justice.

They also urged Islamic scholars and thinkers to identify ways and means to counter the strong propaganda of the western world against Islam, saying those who are accusing Islam are 'ignorant'.

http://www.thedailystar.net/2005/09/24/d5092401033.htm

[endofinnocence]

Originally posted by nayeem007
Islam disapproves of terrorism
Scholars tell seminar in capital
Staff Correspondent

-"Thakur Ghor-e Key-re"?
-"Ami Kola KHai-Na.."

[Banglatiger84]

Hmm, if scholars do not speak out, then they are complicit in bombings.

If they speak out, they are doing so only if because they are related to it.


Islam doesnt approve of such acts, and if you find it funny about this, i suggest you read more about islam. There are plenty of websites where you can get information on how and why islam doesnt approve of such bombings, however you will have to make the effort to read through them

[endofinnocence]

Originally posted by Banglatiger84
Hmm, if scholars do not speak out, then they are complicit in bombings.

If they speak out, they are doing so only if because they are related to it.


Islam doesnt approve of such acts, and if you find it funny about this, i suggest you read more about islam. There are plenty of websites where you can get information on how and why islam doesnt approve of such bombings, however you will have to make the effort to read through them

But think it from this perspective. These people have been supporting the islamic-fundoos in many ways for many years --- but now they are arranging these seminars to save their own faces. There are some elements of hypocrisy in these seminars to denounce violence.

To prove this point further --- most of these 'scholars' probably found this 'realization' only recently - whereas everyone else is talking about Islamic-terrorism for years... all these years they were denying any existence of terror (in a way saving / hiding / breeding the fundamentalists). Now all of a sudden they are distancing them from fundamentalism!!! How convenient?

[ekatturerBangalee]

Jamaat link to militants becomes evident

Link of Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh with different Islamist militant organisations is becoming evident with the arrest of militants in connection with the attacks on different NGOs in northern districts in February and August 17 countrywide serial bomb blasts.

While the Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) leaflets found at all the August 17 bomb blast spots demanded establishment of Islamic rule in the country, the Jamaat chief earlier openly declared that "Islamic rule will be established soon."

Jamaat chief and Industries Minister Matiur Rahman Nizami on February 25 told his followers at a public rally at Jaldhaka in Nilphamari, "Wait and see…get ready for directive."

A number of arrested militants confessed to having close ties with Jamaat and its front organisations. Moreover, Jamaat, a key constituent of the ruling coalition, has at times worked for the release of many such arrestees, which also prove its connections with the militant groups.

Jamaat's intervention and success to free the militants also clearly show that the Islamist party is enjoying administrative support and using government machinery to achieve its target.

According to police record, over 100 militants were arrested during January-August this year in connection with the bombings, and all the arrestees either belong to Jamaat or its various wings at present or worked with them earlier.

Whenever any Jamaat or Shibir activist was arrested for militant activities, Jamaat lobbied for their release, and where they failed, they announced that the arrested militant had been expelled from the party earlier.

Although a good number of activists of the banned Islamist militant organisation Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) have confessed that the JMB carried out the August 17 attacks,

Jamaat chief always ruled out JMB existence. The most wanted militant Bangla Bhai is a creation of media, he has said several times.

Even yesterday Nizami told parliament that "A section of media is also engaged in the evil design to implicate Jamaat in the incident [August 17 blasts] by hook or crook."

Jamaat lawmaker Riasat Ali Biswas in the last parliament session also denied the existence of JMB in Bangladesh.

Analysts say the reason behind Jamaat-militant link can be answered with an observation that finds a deep-rooted aspiration to secure more state power.

Jamaat is aiming to get tickets for 100 seats of the coalition in the next parliamentary elections and it wants to have other Islamist parties with it to make the plan a success, said an analyst.

According to the analyst, Jamaat's quite-evident role in the bomb blasts is a powerful demonstration of its militancy prowess and also a warning to the BNP that it will have to face trouble if it wants to break alliance with them.

"Jamaat is also sending signal to other Islamist parties and militant groups that they will face trouble if they do not join hands with it," the analyst said, pointing to a recent speech of the prime minister in which she asked other Islamist parties to join the coalition.

MILITANTS' JAMAAT LINK

Bangla Bhai, head of the killing squad of the banned Jagrata Muslim Janata Bangladesh (JMJB), had been an active Shibir member until 1995.

JMB chief Abdur Rahman and his father were also Jamaat workers.

Many in the JMB leadership joined the organisation on special assignments from Jamaat and Shibir. Moreover, statements of the arrestees prove that Jamaat is involved with the JMB one way or the other.

Nasiruddin, whom police arrested in Satkhira on August 17 and who first confessed that the JMB carried out the countrywide bomb attacks, told the police that he was a Jamaat worker until 1995.

On September 1, police arrested Tariqul Islam in Faridpur with Shibir certificate and he confessed to police that he was involved with the organisation in his student life.

After his arrest at Debiganj in Panchagarh on February 23 last year, militant Azizul told police he was previously a Shibir member and now a worker of the JMB.

JMB militants Samiul Al Siju and Fazlul Haq admitted after their arrest at Gangachhara in Rangpur on February 23 that they were active Shibir workers.

However, the then assistant superintendent of police of Rangpur in his probe report on the attack on Brac office identified the two as Rukans of Jamaat.

In August 2003, Sohel, a student of Sunamganj Government College, was arrested for having links with the JMB. His brother Selim told the press on August 23, "Shibir turned my brother into an ultra-religious man and forced him to work for JMB."

Local Shibir President Abu Hanif, however, denied the link saying, "Sohel might have worked for us previously but is no more a Shibir worker now."

Last November, three militants were arrested with 24 powerful gelatine bomb-sticks and 124 electronic detonators in Gaibandha from a Shantahar-bound train. All of them said they are Shibir activists although Jamaat disowned them.

Ahle Hadith Andolon Bangladesh (Ahab) chief Asadullah Al Galib, who is now in jail custody for bombing an NGO office, organised a press conference in Rajshahi town on February 17. A Jamaat lawmaker from Satkhira attended the event.

LOBBY AND RELEASE

Police on the night of September 14 arrested two Shibir activists with CDs and books allegedly on Islamic jihad at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban premises. Jamaat lawmakers lobbied with the speaker for their release following the incident.

The next day Tejgaon police produced the two before a court without bringing any specific charges against them and the two were released.

Speaker Jamiruddin Sircar admitted that lawmaker Abdul Aziz made a phone call to him requesting him to initiate steps to release the two Shibir men.

Three days after the August 17 blasts, Rapid Action Battalion arrested five militants, including Jamaat leader Abdul Majid, in Dinajpur and handed them over to the police. Majid was freed within 30 minutes following intervention of the local Jamaat unit.

Police arrested five militants, including one Ramijuddin in Dinajpur on August 22. The district Jamaat unit bailed out Ramij from the police station.

JAMAAT & SHIBIR BOMB BLAST SUSPECTS
Police arrested Jamaat activists Kafiluddin, Kazi Nazrul Islam and madrasa teacher Jarjis in Chandpur and Omar Faruk at Parbatipur on August 19.

Abdul Haq, former Jamaat unit chief of Gabtoli, Bogra, Abul Hossain and Mujibur Rahman were arrested in Khulna a day later. Police arrested Shibir activist Helaluddin at a mosque in Bianibazar of Sylhet on September 9.

Police in Kushtia arrested Shibir activist Mutassim Billah on August 22 for his links with the August 17 blasts.

Police arrested 11 suspected militants, including Enamul--a follower of Bangla Bhai, and two Rajshahi University (RU) students, at their Puthiapara training camp in Paba upazila on July 19.

Enamul, also the team leader, was a Shibir activist before he had joined the Jagrata Muslim Janata, Bangladesh (JMJB) a year ago. The RU students Golam Mustafa and Ibrahim Hossain claimed they "support" Shibir.

JAMAAT'S DENIAL & THE TRUTH
Police on September 16 arrested two top JMB militants with huge amount of bomb-making materials and four firearms at a house belonging to a Jamaat activist in Tanore, Rajshahi.

One of the arrestees Moulana Shahidullah Faruq, JMB's Chapainawabganj sector commander, is the son of Moulana Meserullah Nasir Uddin, a Jamaat activist and a madrasa teacher. His elder brother Obaidullah is a Tanore upazila unit Jamaat leader.

Their mother Shahida Begum told The Daily Star that Faruq was a Shibir activist and joined the Ahle Hadith Jubo Sangha after completing madrasa education in 2002. Faruq, however, said he had joined JMB in 2002 although the Ahab protested this statement.

Jamaat Secretary General and Social Welfare Minister Ali Ahsan Md Mujahid in a protest letter regarding the Tanore incident denied Jamaat's links of any sort with the arrestees although Rajshahi Jamaat in a statement on the same day admitted that Obaidullah is the vice president of local Jamaat supporters' committee.

The law enforcers on September 8 recovered hundreds of bombs and materials for bombs from the house of Ataur Rahman, brother of JMB chief Abdur Rahman, following the confessional statement by former Jamaat ameer's son AHM Shamim of Habiganj.

Jamaat claimed Ameer Moulana Saidur Rahman, who had served as the district Jamaat chief for three years since 1989, had been expelled from the party.

Despite Jamaat's claim of having no contacts with Shamim, the existing district Jamaat chief Prof Ashraf Uddin requested a top official of the district police over phone to release him, saying Shamim is a "good boy" and that police had arrested him mistakenly, said a police officer.

The Jamaat-militant link was revealed at Khetlal in Joypurhat on August 14, 2003, after a gunfight at Jamaat activist Montejar Rahman's house, which was being used as a training camp. Police arrested 39 suspected militants and 29 of them confessed to being Shibir activists. They said Shibir had assigned them to work for the JMB.

Montejar, who had been the chief of Baraitola union Jamaat until 2001, however, escaped arrest. Police found a list of Jamaat-Shibir activists and Jamaat publications from the house.

Jamaat said it had expelled Montejar two years before the incident.

The police found out from his diary that he had applied to become a Rukon, a midlevel position in the Jamaat party hierarchy.

Police also recovered a letter written to him by the district ameer of Jamaat and seized some leaflets, letters and JMB receipts of fund collection for jihad. Local police had told the press that a significant number of people, who subscribed to the JMB, were members of Jamaat.

A training manual titled "Proshikkhan Guide" was recovered from a den of militants in Goran in the capital. It was learnt that the text was for Shibir activists.

Hishami Al Talabi, writer of the training manual, has translated several books of Jamaat founder Moulana Abul Ala Moududi.

During the raids police found some documents from the militants' house that show that they used to regularly donate to Jamaat.

Some militants arrested from different parts of the country played an active role in the last parliamentary elections for Jamaat candidates. Jamaat, however, claims they were expelled.

http://www.thedailystar.net/2005/09/22/d5092201033.htm

[imtiaz82]

Hanif’s jibe at secularism irks
non-Muslim AL leaders
Hasina tells leaders to keep mum
KHADIMUL ISLAM

The recently reported suggestion of the opposition Awami League’s Dhaka city unit president, Mohammad Haif, that the party should officially abandon its secularist principles has generated commotion among a section of party leaders, particularly those belonging to the Hindu faith.
Hanif, former mayor of the capital and the leading member of the Awami League’s central working committee, told a Bangla daily on September 22 that it was time for the party to abandon secularist principles and replace them with the slogan of ‘freedom of religion and religious practices’.
Claiming himself a ‘Muslim first’, the Awami League leader also told the Bangla daily that he has ‘no problem with being labelled as a fundamentalist’. Hanif categorically said that he believes in religion, Islam in the present case, and not in secularism.
Arguing that the Awami League should abandon the slogan of secularism, Hanif reportedly said that the party adopted the secularist slogan ‘as a tactical move’ in special political circumstances after the country’s independence in 1971, and ‘the party needs to change the principle to meet the demand of the time’.
Hanif reinforced his remarks the next day, when a couple more dailies confronted him over the issue.
Hanif’s observations have caused a lot of concern among the secularist section of the party, particularly among those belonging to the Hindu faith.
The party president, Sheikh Hasina, however, is learnt to have asked central leaders on Thursday night to refrain from making any public comment for or against Hanif’s observations.
‘The interpretation of secularism is clearly defined in the party constitution. If he (Hanif) has a different interpretation, he is free to put forward his opinion at the appropriate party forum,’ Suranjit Sengupta, a presidium member of the party, told New Age Friday evening.
‘Unless we get clarification of his statement at the party’s working committee meeting, I am unable to make further comment,’ Suranjit added.
But Mukul Bose, an organising secretary of the party, told New Age over telephone on Friday that Hanif should not have made such a public statement.
‘I will not make a detailed comment on the controversial statement. What I can only say at the moment is that he (Hanif) should not have made such a public statement,’ said Mukul. ‘We shall raise the issue at the next working committee meeting of the party.’
Osim Kumar Ukil, former general secretary of the party’s student front, the Bangladesh Chhatra League, and assistant publicity secretary of the party, refused to comment ‘at the moment’.
When contacted, some of the mid-ranking leaders, having left political backgrounds, preferred to remain tight-lipped.

http://www.newagebd.com/front.html#2

[endofinnocence]

ekatturerBangalee, you are doing a commendable job of exposing jamaat and co. but what about the others who are hidden in the society? Here's a story of jihadism fueled by state. link

[imtiaz82]

Dhaka urged to take lead in
upholding spirit of Islam
Regional seminar ends
STAFF CORRESPONDENT

A three-day regional Islamic seminar ended with the adoption of the Dhaka declaration on Saturday, calling upon Bangladesh to take the lead in Asia in upholding the spirit of Islam.
‘Bangladesh has set a model of a moderate Muslim country and it can take the leadership for waging a campaign to uphold the real spirit of Islam,’ according to the declaration of the seminar, titled Islam: Religion of Peace, Progress and Harmony.
Adopting the declaration unequivocally, the participants said there is no room for militancy or terrorism in Islam, which preaches peace and harmony for mankind and does not approve attack on innocent people to pursue any sort of objectives, even if religious.
Condemning the August 17 bomb blasts in Bangladesh, the 9/11 attacks in the United States and the 7/7 bomb attacks in Britain, it said, ‘The rights of oppressed Muslims cannot be established through the act of terrorism; rather it will severely frustrate the just causes of the Muslims.’
It said Bangladesh is a unique example of communal harmony which can be replicated in other countries, particularly in the Muslim ones.
Nearly 300 delegates representing madrassahs, mosques and religious institutions in Bangladesh, Pakistan, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, India and Sri Lanka participated in the seminar organised by the Dhaka-based Centre for National and Regional Studies.
‘We believe in jihad, but not with the involvement of bombs and deaths and not against the non-Muslims. This is a jihad against poverty; this is a jihad for development,’ said the vice-chancellor of the Dhaka University, SMA Faiz, who was the chief guest at the concluding session.
Professor MA Cader from Sri Lanka urged the Muslims across the world to update their knowledge about Islam through ‘ijtehad’ (decision taking independently on the basis of Quran and sunnah).
The vice-chancellor of the Southeast University, Shamsher Ali, opposed the identification of extremists as ‘fundamentalists’ and said, ‘Actually, the persons who believe in the fundamental principals of universal peace and brotherhood are fundamentalists’.
A former director general of the Islamic Foundation in Dhaka, Syed Ashraf Ali, said there were issues which were strikingly similar in all the major scriptures of different faiths.
Dr Hassan Mohammad of the Chittagong University said everything should not be ‘Islamised’ in the name of Islamisation of knowledge, saying that it might often contradict the basic and universal spirit of Islam.

http://www.newagebd.com/nat.html#2

[Banglatiger84]

"This is a jihad against poverty; this is a jihad for development"

"Professor MA Cader from Sri Lanka urged the Muslims across the world to update their knowledge about Islam through ‘ijtehad’ (decision taking independently on the basis of Quran and sunnah)"

[ekatturerBangalee]

Faisal & Shammi

Kakrail Mosque was used to train Aug 17 bombers

The capital's Kakrail Mosque, widely regarded as the fulcrum of Tablig Jamaat, had been used to train the militants how to switch on the bombs that rocked the country on August 17...."

http://www.thedailystar.net/2005/09/26/d5092601011.htm

[ekatturerBangalee]

Originally posted by nayeem007
Islam disapproves of terrorism
Scholars tell seminar in capital
Staff Correspondent

Leading Islamic scholars and thinkers from South and Southeast Asia yesterday denounced terrorism and destruction of life in the name of Islam or any religion in a continued bid to clear the Muslims of alleged involvement in such activities.

They said Islam disapproves of militancy, extremism, wars, disorder, hatred and all sorts of terrorism; it rather preaches and promulgates peace, progress, moderation, tolerance and harmony.

The very objective of Islam is to promote ethical values, while any act of violence causing deaths of innocent people or destruction of property frustrates the basic spirit of the religion, they added.

The scholars were speaking on the second day of a three-day regional seminar on "Islam: Religion of Peace, Progress and Harmony; Bangladesh: Model of a Moderate Muslim Nation" at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre.

Organised by the Dhaka-based Centre for National and Regional Studies (CNRS), the seminar is being attended by Islamic scholars from Pakistan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Singapore and host Bangladesh.

The speakers said the Muslims usually react when there is injustice and disorder, but they never cross the limit as it is completely prohibited in the Holy Qur'an.

They claimed current struggles of the Muslims around the globe are for freedom, rights and establishing justice.

They also urged Islamic scholars and thinkers to identify ways and means to counter the strong propaganda of the western world against Islam, saying those who are accusing Islam are 'ignorant'.

http://www.thedailystar.net/2005/09/24/d5092401033.htm

EDITORIAL: The Bangladesh Observer
Dhaka Declaration From Seminar On Islam

A three-day seminar participated by Islamic scholars from South and South-east Asia has come up with an eight-point declaration for the Muslim world. The seminar has roundly denounced religious extremism and recommended reform of madrasha education. Titled " Islam: Religion of Peace, Progress and Harmony; Bangladesh: Model of a Moderate Muslim Nation", the seminar did indeed identify how the image of Islam has been sullied and a few suggestions it put forward merit consideration for Muslim countries not only in the region but elsewhere as well. For example, if the suggestion for incorporation of science, mathematics, computer, environment, agriculture and technical education in madrasha curriculum gets the green light, things are likely to improve. The madrashas may not provide an easy recruitment field for religious extremism. Then the eagerness shown to see both men and women as equal partners of development through empowering the latter makes quite an impression.

The first part of the title of the seminar surely makes a strong case for itself. No argument about that. Sure enough, it has made a bold assertion that there is no place for intolerance and militancy in Islam. We could not agree more. In fact, the inherent message of all religions is peace, tolerance and love. Unfortunately, the aggressive or distorted brands of some of the great religions have been the cause of limitless bloodshed throughout centuries. The agents of religions have monopolised them. It is because of this, visionary political thinkers have been in favour of keeping politics and religion apart. If religion teaches complete submission to the Almighty, it can and should never interfere with anyone's personal belief or state politics.

Why try to paint a sovereign land as a Muslim. Hindu, Christian or Buddhist country? No highly developed, powerful and larger country would like to be known as a land of any particular faith.

It is because of this we feel not quite at ease with the last part, 'Bangladesh: Model of a Moderate Muslim Nation.'

It makes us confused and also it does not support facts. The country's constitution has nowhere mentioned that it is a Muslim country. The 8th amendment to the constitution brought about by military dictator Ershad has interpolated Islam as the state religion. Should it negate secularism—one of the fundamental principles of the original constitution? Do we give credence to a military dictator's pretence of religion? Religion was not his forte, her merely tried to bluff the religious minded.

The seminar then delivers a pat on the back of Bangladesh by terming it a model country of 'communal harmony' because its 'constitution recognises all citizens as equal'. We are familiar with this kind of ploy where religion is used as a means to achieving a narrow objective.

At a time Bangladesh has earned quite an infamy for the August 17 serial bomb attacks and their uncomfortable connection with religion-based parties, this seminar has deliberately diverted its focus from the main issues to the ones that touch—but not quite adequately—the sentiment of the people. The motive becomes clear when Bangladesh is endorsed as the model country to lead the Muslim world. We could not be happier if Bangladesh earned such a rare honour! Cleverly crafted words disguised the twin purpose of defending the Islamic militant parties and those at the helm of power. The lavish showering of eulogy on Bangladesh may have one simple purpose: to offset the negative image of the country under the alliance government. The condemnation of August 17 bomb attacks should have included all the preceding grenade and bomb attacks. Understandably, a seminar of this order tries to avoid being critical of the host country's government but there is not a word expressing concern over the rise of Islamic militancy in Bangladesh and the government's failure to deal with it. How does it deserve so much praise? More questions about the purpose of the seminar will be asked than can be answered

[ekatturerBangalee]

Originally posted by endofinnocence
ekatturerBangalee, you are doing a commendable job of exposing jamaat and co. but what about the others who are hidden in the society? Here's a story of jihadism fueled by state. link

Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan is a great scientist, IMHO. I will refrain from making any statement against the allegations. We are entering into a slippery slope here. So far as I am concerned, he has not done anything wrong to Bangladesh. Let the Pakistanis decide his credentials.

[imtiaz82]

Military finds no militant link of army men
Julfikar Ali Manik

A quick inquiry of the military intelligence has found no evidence for the allegations against retired and in-service army personnel of having any link with Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) or training its activists on bomb-making.

The situation arising out of the allegations against army men took a twist as the information provided by civil investigators about the statements of JMB activist Obaidullah Suman, his identification of retired army lance corporal Harun-ur-Rashid as a bomb-trainer, and Harun's information about the involvement of eight in-service army men in the training came under doubt.


Following the development, the military intelligence is about to investigate how, why and who provided the information about the army men's involvement in the August 17 bomb attacks that shook the whole nation.


Military sources said they are sure that Harun, arrested on information that he along with former honorary captain of the army Mohiuddin trained the JMB bomb squads, was not involved with the JMB, "let alone training them".


The information about former honorary captain of the ordnance factory Mohiuddin's involvement was also not proved as no Mohiuddin with this designation was found in the ordnance factory records.


"We've found one retired honorary captain with this name who was a clerk of the army engineering corps...He was merely a clerk and had no training in bomb," said a source in the army.


Although Mohiuddin did not match Suman's statement, the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) picked up clerk Mohiuddin, who hails from Kishoreganj, from Kachukhet in the capital a couple of days ago and interrogated him.


On being sure that he had no link with the banned militant organisation, the DGFI later released him.


Irked by Harun's alleged confession, which pointed finger at links of eight in-service defence personnel to the August 17 countrywide bomb blasts, the military intelligence forces launched their own facts-finding mission Thursday.


All intelligence units of the army, navy and air force, including the DGFI started the inquiry with the DGFI acting as co-ordinator. The government civil intelligence agencies also took part in the inquiry.


The DGFI also prepared a report on the findings, which they will submit to the authorities concerned soon, said sources.


After his arrest in Monipur on September 20, Harun confessed that he had trained JMB cadres on bomb-making and operation techniques and also named eight serving defence personnel as trainers of the JMB bomb squads, investigators in Kishoreganj said.


According to them, Obaidullah Suman, who is now in Kishoreganj jail, identified Harun at the Kishoreganj Police Station as their trainer.


Newspapers also carried reports with reference to the investigators that Harun named the eight military personnel as being involved with the August 17 attack.


Checking Harun's statement given to civil investigators and interrogating him, the military intelligence found that the lance corporal is not the 'Harun' referred to by Obaidullah Suman. "Suman does not know this Harun," said the army source.


Harun's statement also did not include anything that establishes links of any serving military personnel with the attack.


"The lance corporal [Harun] kept saying that he was in no way involved in the attack or with Jama'atul Mujahideen," said the source.


Harun was handed over to Kishoreganj police Monday and the court sent him to jail as police did not seek any fresh remand.


"This Harun is not the person Obaidullah Suman knows. We're still looking for the Harun mentioned by Suman," Sub-Inspector Waziullah of Kishoreganj Police Station, who is investigating Harun's role, told The Daily Star yesterday.


On the lance corporal's fate, he said, "It'll be decided in the course of the probe."

Although the military intelligence was sure that Harun did not name any military personnel in service, it received the names of a few military men from different sources who might be involved with the JMB.


"But the information and names were not specific. In spite of it, we conducted an inquiry but did not find any military personnel linked with the militants," said the military source.

http://www.thedailystar.net/2005/09/28/d5092801033.htm

[ekatturerBangalee]

Hunt for Islamist Militants

"...Law enforcers will soon launch a combing operation against Islamist extremists hiding in the Sundarbans since the August 17 countrywide serial bomb blasts. Meanwhile, law enforcement agencies yesterday arrested eight activists of Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), which is blamed for the August 17 attacks, in Comilla and Joypurhat, and police attached the valuables of Jagrata Muslim Janata Bangladesh (JMJB) leader Bangla Bhai from his house in Bogra.

According to highly placed sources, 33 Islamist extremists of the banned JMB, JMJB, Ahle Hadith Andolon Bangladesh (Ahab) and Harkatul Jihad of Khulna division went into hiding in the Sundarbans after August 17.

State Minister for Home Affairs Lutfozzaman Babar at a views-exchanging meeting in the southern district on Tuesday directed three law enforcement agencies to crack down on the Islamist extremists and other outlawed parties and burst their dens, reports our Khulna correspondent...."

http://www.thedailystar.net/2005/09/29/d5092901022.htm

[imtiaz82]

Indian and local criminals jointly staged Aug 17 blasts
BDR chief alleges as Delhi talks conclude
Pallab Bhattacharya, New Delhi

Bangladesh Rifles chief yesterday said some "criminal elements in India" had colluded with similar groups in Bangladesh to stage the August 17 countrywide blasts.

BDR Director General Maj Gen Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said this, speaking at a press conference at the end of three-day talks with his Indian counterpart in New Delhi.

The talks between the border guards of the neighbouring countries ended with divergent views reigning on issues like border fencing and cross-border infiltration. Both the sides, however, agreed on confidence building measures through stepping up of simultaneous and co-ordinated patrol along the border.

Indian Border Security Force (BSF) Director General RS Mooshahary said his force has suggested to BDR that it [BSF] would hand over to them a list of the areas requiring zero line fencing so that it can be approved by the Bangladesh government.

The question of fencing of the 4095-km border between the two countries remained unresolved with Bangladesh resisting India's move, contending that the fencing has "a defensive structure" attached to it.

"We want to conduct border-fencing at the level of zero-line due to topographical reasons. But BDR is opposed to it, saying that such fencing is "defensive in structure," Mooshahary told the joint press conference.

"We have decided to promote swap of training facilities, as well as cultural and sports exchanges," he added.

On cross-border infiltration, BDR stuck to its stance that there is no insurgent groups operating inside Bangladesh territory while BSF maintained insurgent leaders like Arvind Rajkhowa, Paresh Barua and Anup Chetia of ULFA, and Nayanbasi Jamatia and Bishwa Mohan Debbaram of National Liberation Front of Tripura are holed up in Bangladesh.

The BDR chief said it is in fact the criminals from India who had infiltrated into Bangladesh and in conjunction with local criminals perpetrated the serial blasts.

Mooshahary denied the allegation and said there was only one Indian among over 500 people arrested in Bangladesh after the bombings. The arrested Indian national named Niazuddin had been living in Bangladesh for the past 17 years, he added.

"It is known internationally that leaders of north-eastern insurgent groups like Barua and Chetia are in Bangladesh," he said.

On the issue of the killing of BSF officer Jewan Kumar allegedly by BDR along the border with Tripura in April this year, Chowdhury said an investigation by top Bangladeshi officials had exonerated his men from the charge.

Mooshahary expressed dissatisfaction with the investigation carried out by Bangladesh and insisted that BDR personnel shot the officer dead when he had crossed over the border unarmed for discussion with the Bangladeshi border guards.

http://www.thedailystar.net/2005/10/01/d5100101033.htm

[reverse_swing]

Daily Star: Militant kingpin Mufti Hannan captured >>