No Processions or Idols on Pohela Boishakh: Islamic Movement

Staff Reporter

Mufti Syed Muhammad Fayzul Karim, Senior Vice Amir of the Islamic Movement of Bangladesh, has threatened to oppose any un-Islamic practices in the celebration of Bengali New Year. He stated that nothing against Islam should be done in the name of celebrating the Bengali New Year. He emphasized that “Mangal Shobhajatra” (the traditional procession) should not be part of the celebration and that idols should not be displayed on the day of Pohela Boishakh.

He shared these views during a meeting with senior party leaders on Wednesday. Later, the party issued a statement outlining their stance on the matter.

The party statement mentioned that Emperor Akbar introduced the Bengali calendar based on the Islamic lunar calendar, marking a connection with Muslim history and heritage. It also stressed that for a thousand years, the people of this region have been Muslims, and thus, their customs and traditions cannot include anything against Islam.

Fayzul Karim added that wearing un-Islamic clothing on New Year’s Day is prohibited. He further stated that people can organize various events on that day, but Mangal Shobhajatra is a sinful act. Therefore, the procession must be omitted from the celebrations.

The statement also called on the authorities of Dhaka University to remove the word “Mangal” and its associated concept from their New Year events. It urged organizers to avoid all un-Islamic elements, such as idols, and instead, to incorporate Islamic-approved concepts and symbols, in line with the region’s thousand-year-old history and traditions.