Hefazat Amir calls Jamaat-e-Islami a ‘hypocritical Islamic party’

Staff Correspondent. Chittagong, 5th August 2025.

Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh Ameer Allama Muhibbullah Babunagari has strongly criticized Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, calling it a ‘phony Islamic party’. He made the remarks at a conference in Nazirhat Municipality of Fatikchhari on Monday evening, sparking widespread discussion in political and religious circles.

Muhibullah Babunagari said, “Jamaat-e-Islami is not a genuine Islamic party. They are trying to establish Maududi’s Islam instead of the Islam of Medina. Even the Qadiani community could not do the damage they have done to Islam.” He further claimed that Jamaat is the worst of all the false sects.

The statement sparked a storm of criticism on social media. One netizen, Akash, called Muhibullah a ‘broker’ of the Awami League. Another, Nurul Islam, wrote, “There are so many differences between Islamic parties that are not desirable. If Islam is established in this country, it will be due to the contribution of Jamaat.” MM Jamal Uddin said, “Prove what is wrong with Jamaat with evidence from the Quran and Hadith, or repent.” However, some netizens supported Hefazat Amir’s statement.

Reacting to this, Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh spokesperson Matiur Rahman Akand said, “We want to build unity among parties that believe in Islamic ideology. The people want us to be united.” He did not comment directly on this remark.

Political analysts believe that efforts are underway to build unity among Islamic parties ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections. At a time when Hefazat Amir’s comments could create divisions among Islamic political parties,

Although Hefazat-e-Islam is a non-political organization based on Qaumi Madrasah, many of its leaders are affiliated with various Islamic political parties. On the other hand, Jamaat-e-Islami is the largest Islamist political party in Bangladesh, working towards the establishment of Sharia law.

Discussions are underway about how this comment will affect the deterioration of relations between Hefazat and Jamaat and the dynamics of Islamic politics.