Extremist Youth Breaks Imam’s Leg Over Tarawih Recitation Error

Local Correspondent

Sirajganj’s Kamarkhand upazila witnessed an incident where a violent assault during Tarawih prayers left the imam with a broken leg and four others injured.

The incident occurred on Wednesday night, March 19, at Baitul Aman Jame Mosque in Choubari Paschimpara village under Raidaulatpur Union.

The injured imam, Md. Abdullah (50), is currently under treatment at Sirajganj 250-Bed General Hospital. Two other injured worshippers, Delwar Hossain (60) and Zahid Hasan (22), have been admitted to the upazila health complex, while two others received minor treatment.

Md. Abdullah, the mosque’s regular imam, was supervising prayers as two additional huffaz led the Tarawih prayers for Ramadan. During the prayers, one of the huffaz made a mistake in recitation, which was immediately corrected, and the prayers continued.

After the Witr prayers, just before the closing supplication, a young man named Mohammad Talha demanded to speak on the microphone regarding the mistake. When the imam refused, Talha attacked him with slaps and punches.

When worshippers tried to stop him, Talha grabbed a wooden stick from the mosque and began assaulting them. The imam fell to the ground, where Talha continued beating him.

According to Dr. Shimul Talukder, the resident medical officer at the hospital, “An X-ray revealed a fracture below his left knee, and he sustained multiple injuries to his body.”

Locals stated that Mohammad Talha is a Hafiz living near the mosque. They alleged he had been rejected as an imam candidate due to his extremist views, and his frustration culminated in this violent act.

Kamarkhand Police Station Sub-Inspector (SI) Roop Kar said, “We detained the accused but later released him after local elders assured us of resolving the matter through mediation.”

Imam Abdullah chose not to file a complaint, relying on the community’s promise of justice. However, local residents expressed dissatisfaction, arguing that such incidents require formal legal action to ensure justice.