2020 Hefazat Delegate Conference
 Mahfuzul Haque, alongside central leaders, announced the 151-member committee | |
| Native name | জাতীয় প্রতিনিধি সম্মেলন, ২০২০ |
|---|---|
| Date | 15 November 2020 |
| Time | 10.30 am (UTC+6) |
| Duration | 4:00:00 |
| Venue | Darul Uloom Hathazari |
| Coordinates | 22°30′16″N 91°48′28″E / 22.504582°N 91.807675°E |
| Type | Party conference |
| Theme | Electing the Central Committee of Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh |
| Cause | |
| Organised by | Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh |
| Participants | 370 |
| Outcome | 151–member committee |
| Convenor | Junaid Babunagari |
| President | Muhibbullah Babunagari |
On 15 November 2020, Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh convened a delegate conference at Darul Uloom Hathazari in Chittagong—the first of its kind since the group's establishment in 2010. The conference took place in the aftermath of student protests in Hathazari and the death of the organization's long-time chief, Shah Ahmad Shafi. It unfolded amid an internal leadership dispute between two rival factions: one led by Secretary-General Junaid Babunagari, known for his opposition to the ruling Awami government, and the other aligned with Anas Madani, son of Shah Ahmad Shafi, who was perceived as supportive of the government. The Babunagari faction took control of the organization by forming a new 151-member central committee, appointing Babunagari as Amir, Nur Hossain Qasmi as Secretary-General, and Muhibbullah Babunagari as Chief Adviser. The opposing Madani faction rejected the legitimacy of this outcome and attempted to organize a parallel leadership structure with government support, but failed to gain widespread backing.
Background
[edit]Student Protests and the Death of Shah Ahmad Shafi
[edit]
Following the Siege of Dhaka and the Shapla Square massacre on 5 May 2013, Hefazat received national and international attention.[1] However, as the organization developed, a growing relationship between its founding Amir, Shah Ahmad Shafi, and the government led to internal divisions within Hefazat, with members splitting into pro-government and anti-government factions.[2][3] Anas Madani, the son of Shafi, led the pro-government faction, while Junaid Babunagari represented the anti-government camp.[4] Despite this division, the organization's activities were mostly limited to occasional processions, press statements, and the annual Shan-e Risalat conference, with no national delegate conference being held for nearly a decade.[1] By 2020, as Shafi's health declined, tensions over leadership succession at Darul Uloom Hathazari escalated, leading to a conflict between Madani's and Babunagari's supporters. Babunagari was removed from his position as assistant director of the madrasa, a move attributed to Madani.[5] In September 2020, after a six-month closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic, student protests erupted when the madrasa reopened, prompting the Shura Committee to dismiss Madani from all his positions. Ahmad Shafi resigned and passed away shortly after.[5] In response, Junaid Babunagari convened a national delegate conference,[6] forming an 18-member preparatory committee to reorganize the leadership,[7] and invited the families of those killed in the 6 May 2013 Hathazari incident.[8] The conference appointed Muhibbullah Babunagari as its presiding figure.[8]
Awami government Interference
[edit]
The ruling Awami League government reportedly imposed three conditions for allowing the conference to proceed.[5] These conditions were: Hefazat must retain its identity as a non-political organization; it must not be used to serve the interests of any political party; and individuals associated with anti-independence groups—particularly from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami—must be excluded from leadership positions. It was suggested that failure to comply with these conditions could result in consequences for the organization.[5] Additionally, the current leadership was advised to remain mindful of the past support extended by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Coordination of these arrangements was reportedly overseen by Najibul Bashar Maizbhandari, a leader of the Bangladesh Tarikat Federation and a key figure in the Awami League-led 14-party alliance.[5]
Opposition from the Madani Faction
[edit]
On 30 September 2020, at a discussion event held at the Chittagong Press Club titled 'The Life, Work, and Legacy of Allama Ahmad Shafi,' Anas Madani—son of Ahmad Shafi and publicity secretary of Hefazat—asserted that the central committee formed under his father's leadership had not been officially dissolved, and therefore, the existing committee should continue.[9] Madani's supporters claimed that Muhibbullah Babunagari had resigned from Hefazat long ago and was no longer a valid member, making the council held under his leadership illegitimate.[3] In response, Junaid Babunagari stated that although Muhibbullah had announced his resignation, it had never been formally accepted, so he remained a legitimate member.[1] The Madani faction further alleged that at least 50 members of the previous committee were not invited to the conference,[10] while Babunagari's supporters argued that some individuals were excluded due to concerns about possible disruptions.[11] On 13 November, leaflets were distributed at Darul Uloom Hathazari criticizing Babunagari and Mamunul Haque.[12] Madani's followers claimed that Ahmad Shafi had approved a full committee before his death on 13 August, naming himself as Amir, Ahmad Didar Qasmi as Senior Deputy Amir, and Babunagari as Secretary General—adding that they possessed a six-page document bearing Babunagari's signature to support this claim.[13] That same day, members of Islami Oikya Jote's student wing, Chhatra Khelafat, organized a protest in Chittagong's Jamal Khan area opposing the new conference,[13] while on 14 November, Mufti Fayez Ullah held a press conference in Dhaka, publicly rejecting the conference as unilateral and illegitimate.[14]
Highlights
[edit]
The conference began at 10:30 AM at Darul Uloom Hathazari, presided over by Muhibbullah Babunagari and conducted in two sessions.[5] Several key figures associated with Anas Madani's faction, including Mufti Fayez Ullah and Moinuddin Ruhi, were absent.[15] Around 370 ulama from various regions participated in the event.[16] In the opening session, Junaid Babunagari formally announced the dissolution of the previous central committee.[5] A group of twelve senior scholars was appointed to facilitate the formation of a new leadership structure through internal discussion and consensus. These members included Muhibbullah Babunagari, Nurul Islam Jihadi, Junaid Babunagari, Nur Hossain Qasmi, Yahya Alampuri, Abdul Awal, Mahfuzul Haque, Junaid Al Habib, Monir Hossain Qasmi, Azizul Haque Islamabadi, Nasir Uddin Munir, and Ataullah Hafezzi.[5] After extended deliberations, a new 151-member committee was formed. The second session began at 2:00 PM, during which Mahfuzul Haque officially announced the names of 121 members,[16] noting that the remaining 30 would be added later.[10] Junaid Babunagari was appointed as the new Amir, and Nur Hossain Qasmi was named Secretary General. The leadership team also included 32 Deputy Amirs, 4 Joint Secretary Generals, 18 Assistant Secretary Generals, and an 81-member secretarial board. Muhibbullah Babunagari was named Chief Adviser, leading a 24-member advisory council.[17] The conference concluded at 2:30 PM with a press briefing by Azizul Haque Islamabadi. The event was moderated by Mir Idris.[8]
The new committee excluded Anas Madani and several of his close allies. Among those removed were Abul Hasnat Amini, Acting Chairman of Islami Oikya Jote and General Secretary of Hefazat's Dhaka city unit; Mufti Fayez Ullah, Joint Secretary General of Hefazat and General Secretary of Islami Oikya Jote; and Moinuddin Ruhi, Joint Secretary General of Hefazat and President of Islami Oikya Jote's Chattogram unit. Vice President Abdul Quddus was also excluded.[18] No representatives from Islami Andolan Bangladesh were included in the new committee.[19] However, 22 members from Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis and 32 leaders from parties affiliated with the 20 Party Alliance—including Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Bangladesh, Khelafat Majlis, and Nizam-e-Islam Party—were appointed. Additional individuals from Bangladesh Khilafat Andolan and Islami Oikya Jote were also included.[20] Due to concerns about possible unrest, security was heightened with increased deployment of law enforcement and readiness of water cannons. Security personnel were stationed at key locations around Hathazari, including the bus terminal, market area, and medical gate. Despite these precautions, the event proceeded without incident, and participants left the venue peacefully.[5]
Central Committee
[edit]| position | Name | total |
|---|---|---|
| Chief Advisor | Muhibbullah Babunagari | 1 |
| Advisor | Sultan Zauq Nadwi, Abdus Salam Chatgami, Abdul Halim Bukhari, Abdur Rahman Hafezzi, Abdul Malek Halim, Hafez Qasim, Nurul Islam Adeeb, Zia Uddin, Muhammad Wakkas, Abul Hasan Rangpuri, Mizanur Rahman Chowdhury, Noman Faizi, Ubaidullah Farooq, Muhammad Ishaq, Abdur Rakib, Rashidur Rahman Farooq, Nurul Haque, Abul Kalam, Ismail Nurpuri, Jalal Ahmad, Ashek Elahi Brahmanbaria, Fazlur Rahman, Fazlullah, Ashek Elahi Ujani | 24 |
| Amir | Junaid Babunagari | 1 |
| Deputy Amir | Nurul Islam Jihadi, Ataullah Hafezzi, Nurul Islam Olipuri, Salahuddin Nanupuri, Sheikh Ahmed, Hafez Ahmadullah, Abdul Hamid Madhupur, Arshad Rahmani, Mahfuzul Haque, Muhibbul Haque Gachbari, Khaled Saifullah Sadi, Ahmad Abdul Qader, Sajidur Rahman, Abdur Rab Yusufi, Yahya Alampuri, Abdul Awal Narayanganj, Bahauddin Zakaria, A F M Khalid Hossain, Sarwar Kamal Azizi, Habibur Rahman Qasmi, Jasim Uddin, Tajul Islam, Anwarul Karim, Mushtaq Ahmed Khulna, Rashid Ahmed, Zafrullah Khan, Nurul Islam Khan, Habibur Rahman, Furkanullah Khalil, Nezam Uddin, Ubaidur Rahman Mahbub, Yunus Ahmed, Zahidul Islam bin Yunus | 32 |
| Secretary General | Nur Hossain Qasmi | 1 |
| Joint Secretary General | Junaid Al Habib, Mamunul Haque, Lokman Hakim, Nasir Uddin Munir | 4 |
| Assistant Secretary General | Fazlul Karim Qasmi, Sakhawat Hossain Khulna, Khurshid Alam Qasmi, Mananjurul Islam Afendi, Khaled Saifullah Ayubi, Abdul Baset Khan, Ashraf Ali Nizampuri, Mahmudul Hasan Fatehpuri, Azharul Islam, Rahimullah Qasmi, Habibullah Miyaji, Musa Bin Izhar, Zafar Ahmed Bhatua, Habibullah Azadi, Shafiq Uddin, Jasimuddin, Jalal Uddin Ahmad, Hasan Jamil | 18 |
| Organizing Secretary | Azizul Haque Islamabadi | 1 |
| Assistant Organizing Secretary | Mujibur Rahman Hamidi, Sakhawat Hossain Razi, Masudul Karim Tongi, Mir Muhammad Idris, Shamsul Islam Jilani, Omar Farooq, Ataullah Amini, Afimul Haque Habiganj, Mahmudul Alam Rangpur | 9 |
| Finance secretary | Munir Hossain Qasmi | 1 |
| Assistant Finance Secretary | Hafez Muhammad Faisal, Lokman Mazhari, Muhammad Ahsan Ullah, Muhammad Ilyas Hamedi | 4 |
| Publicity Secretary | Zakaria Noman Faizi | 1 |
| Assistant Publicity Secretary | Muhammad Yakub Osmani, Faisal Ahmed, Sharifullah, Ferdausur Rahman, Hafez Sayem Ullah | 5 |
| Education and Culture Secretary | Harun Izhar | 1 |
| Assistant Education and Culture Secretary | Junaid Bin Jalal | 1 |
| Literature and Training Secretary | Harun Azizi Nadwi, Mahbubur Rahman Hamid | 2 |
| Social Welfare Secretary | Qutubuddin Nanupuri | 1 |
| Assistant Social Welfare Secretary | Hafez Salamat Ullah | 1 |
| Legal Affairs Secretary | Shahinur Pasha Chowdhury | 1 |
| Assistant Legal Affairs Secretary | Nizamuddin | 1 |
| Dawah Secretary | Nazmul Hasan | 1 |
| Assistant Dawah Secretary | Mushtakunnabi Qasmi, Ahmad Ali Qasmi | 2 |
| Information and Research Secretary | Ubaidur Rahman Khan Nadwi | 1 |
| Relief and Rehabilitation Secretary | Muhammad Ali | 1 |
| Assistant Relief and Rehabilitation Secretary | Zakaria Madani, Ghazi Yaqub | 2 |
| Student and Youth Affairs Secretary | Khubayb bin Tayyab | 1 |
| Assistant Student and Youth Affairs Secretary | Ziaul Hussain | 1 |
| International Secretary | Helal Uddin Nanupuri | 1 |
| Assistant International Editors | Anwar Shah Azhari, Abdul Kader Saleh (London), Abdus Salam Patwari, Shuaib Ahmed, Rafiq Ahmed (New York), Golam Kibria (London) | 6 |
| Science and Technology Editor | Nurul Absar Azhari | 1 |
| Assistant Science and Technology Secretary | Humayun Kabir (University of Chittagong) | 1 |
| Office secretary | Hafez Muhammad Tayyab | 1 |
| Assistant Office secretary | Abu Taher Osmani, Siddiqul Islam Tofail | 2 |
| Member | Abu Taher Nadwi, Kefayet Ullah Azhari, Azizul Haque Al Madani, Ali Osman, Bashirullah, Muhammad Shafi Babhua, Abul Hossain Satkania, Hafez Ilyas Hamedi, Anwarul Alam Chiringa, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Abdur Rahim Qasmi, Qari Zahirul Islam, Jamil Ahmed Chowdhury, Bashir Ahmed, Tafazzul Haque Aziz, Ali Akbar, Abu Abdur Rahim, Abdul Quddus (Maniknagar), Abu Sayeed, Enamul Haque Al Madani, Abdul Mubin, Muhammad Ullah Jami, Rafiqul Islam Madani, Hafez Shuaib Makki, Noor Hussain Noorani, Abdul Mannan Ambershah, Habibullah Mahmud Qasmi, Rashed bin Noor, Saeed Noor | 30 |
| Source: Bangla Tribune | ||
Aftermath
[edit]
Following the conference, Desh Rupantor reported a de facto split within the organization and noted that the faction associated with Anas Madani was preparing to announce a counter-committee and was seeking government assistance.[5] In response, Madani-aligned leaders held press conferences in Dhaka and Chittagong, rejecting the legitimacy of the newly formed committee.[21] Muhammad Wakkas, an adviser in the new committee, stated that it had been established to serve the interests of a specific group and criticized the process as excessive.[19] Moinuddin Ruhi, a former joint secretary-general and leader of the Madani faction, alleged that the committee was formed with support from opposition parties, namely BNP and Jamaat.[5] The ruling Awami League maintained a largely neutral stance, with Presidium Member Faruk Khan stating that the government would monitor the committee's activities.[5] Najibul Bashar Maizbhandari, an ally of the ruling party, refrained from commenting on the committee's legitimacy but emphasized the importance of Hefazat remaining a non-political organization and avoiding associations with war criminals or opposition groups.[5] A F M Khalid Hossain claimed that Hefazat had previously operated under government influence but was now beginning to assert its independence under Junaid Babunagari, whose leadership had drawn attention.[1] He also alleged that Babunagari was prevented from speaking at three events on 19 November 2020, interpreting this as a sign that the government intended to control Hefazat and suggesting that unresolved legal cases from May 2013 might be reactivated.[1] Mohammad Bahauddin, a professor at the University of Dhaka, observed that the inclusion of leaders affiliated with opposition parties in senior roles had sparked controversy, raising questions about whether Hefazat could continue to promote a moderate interpretation of Islam.[22] Islami Andolan Bangladesh leader Syed Faizul Karim commented on his party's exclusion, stating that the difference in nature and objectives between the two organizations made the issue irrelevant.[19] Madhupur's Pir Abdul Hamid, despite being associated with the Babunagari faction, later declared the new committee illegitimate.[23] In April 2021, Prothom Alo reported that the Madani faction's attempt to form a counter-committee had failed due to a lack of sufficient support.[24] Journalist Probhash Amin, writing in Jagonews24.com, noted that the newly formed committee began its activities by engaging in protests against sculptures of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, describing this move as its 'grand debut'.[25]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e Hossain, A F M Khalid (22 November 2020). "Hefazat's new leadership: challenges and expectations". Daily Naya Diganta. Archived from the original on 29 November 2020.
- ^ Swapan, Harun Ur Rashid (13 November 2020). "Are pro-government supporters cornered in Hefazat?". Deutsche Welle. Archived from the original on 12 August 2022. Retrieved 15 May 2025.
- ^ a b Kallol, Kadir (13 November 2020). "Dispute Within Hefazat-e-Islam Leadership on Conference Organization". BBC Bangla. Archived from the original on 6 May 2025. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
- ^ White Paper: 2000 Days of Fundamentalist and Communal Violence in Bangladesh (in Bengali). Mohakhali, Dhaka-1212: Public Commission to Investigate Fundamentalist and Communal Terrorism. 2022. p. 50.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location (link) - ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Chowdhury, Pavel Haider (16 November 2020). "Hefazat Split". Desh Rupantor.
- ^ "Babunagari Calls for Conference to Elect New Hefazat Ameer". Shampratik Deshkal. 19 September 2020.
- ^ "Division Threatens to Split Hefazat-e-Islam". Kaler Kantho. 15 November 2020.
- ^ a b c Parvez, Aslam (15 November 2020). "Hefazat-e-Islam Concludes Its Conference". Daily Inqilab.
- ^ "Shafi's Hefazat Committee Remains Undissolved, Says Son Anas". Dhaka Post. 30 September 2021. Archived from the original on 28 November 2021. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
- ^ a b Ullah, Hamid (16 November 2020). "Babunagari Takes Control of Hefazat". Amader Shomoy.
- ^ Aldeen, Anwar (15 November 2020). "Hefazat-e-Islam Edging Toward a Two-Way Split". The Daily Ittefaq. Archived from the original on 27 January 2023. Retrieved 15 May 2025.
- ^ "Hefazat Tensions Spark Rumors Over Circulated Leaflets". Desh Rupantor. 14 November 2020.
- ^ a b Shakil, Salman Tarek (13 November 2020). "Hefazat Conference Faces Turmoil Amid Opposition from Shafi Supporters". Bangla Tribune.
- ^ "Unilateral council will not be accepted: Fayez Ullah". Bdnews24.com. 14 November 2020. Archived from the original on 21 November 2020. Retrieved 15 May 2025.
- ^ "Hefazat council begins keeping aside Shafi's followers". The Business Standard. 15 November 2020. Archived from the original on 21 April 2024. Retrieved 15 May 2025.
- ^ a b "Hefazat-e-Islam Announces Full Committee: Here's Who's In". Bangla Tribune. 15 November 2020. Archived from the original on 8 August 2022. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
- ^ "Shafi Camp Sidelined as Babunagari and Qasmi Take Helm of Hefazat". The Daily Ittefaq. 16 November 2020.
- ^ Talib, Abu (15 November 2020). "Key Figures Excluded from Hefazat's New Leadership Panel". Jugantor.
- ^ a b c Haque, Raqibul (17 November 2020). "New Hefazat Committee Draws Mixed Responses". Alokito Bangladesh.
- ^ Ahmad, Rajib (16 November 2020). "Hefazat's Non-Political Image Erodes Amid Political Influence". Samakal.
- ^ "Excluded Members Move Toward Forming Counter-Committee". Dainik Azadi. 16 November 2020.
- ^ Bahauddin, Mohammad (18 November 2020). "Religious Identity, Political Crisis: The Dilemma of Hefazat-e-Islam". Samakal.
- ^ "Uncertainty in Hefazat-e-Islam Over Madhupur Pir's Standing". Jugantor. 3 June 2021.
- ^ Zahid, Salim (22 April 2021). "Hefazat Faces Uncertainty Amid Pressure and Controversy". Prothom Alo. Archived from the original on 15 May 2021. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
- ^ Amin, Prabhas (21 December 2020). "The new leadership of Hefazat has made a grand debut!". Jagonews24.com.