11/08/2026
Hezbut Tawheed Imam Hossain Mohammad Salim Strongly Condemns and Rejects Hefazat-e-Islam’s Demand to Ban Hezbut Tawheed.
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Press Release
Imam of Hezbut Tawheed, Hossain Mohammad Salim, has strongly condemned and rejected the unjust and undemocratic demand made by Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh to ban Hezbut Tawheed. He described the demand as completely undemocratic, unethical, unlawful, and inhumane. He also condemned the use of objectionable terms, including the description of Hezbut Tawheed as a “disruptive” organization in reports published by the BBC and other media outlets, calling such language highly regrettable and unacceptable.
On 9 August, during Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s visit to Al-Jamiatul Islamia Babunagar Madrasa in Fatikchhari, Chattogram, Hefazat-e-Islam submitted a nine-point list of demands. In the sixth point, the group called for Hezbut Tawheed to be banned. Imam Hossain Mohammad Salim categorically rejected this demand as an extreme violation of democratic principles.
In a statement, Imam Hossain Mohammad Salim said:
“From its establishment until today, our movement has never violated any law of the country, nor has it ever been involved in any unethical or unlawful activity. On the contrary, serious allegations have previously been raised against various sections of Hefazat-e-Islam regarding acts of anarchy, disorder, and unlawful activities. Yet, despite the absence of any evidence of unlawful activities by a peaceful and law-abiding movement such as Hezbut Tawheed, demanding its ban merely on the pretext of differences over certain religious issues is completely unjustifiable.”
He further stated:
“Differences in matters of creed, jurisprudence, and interpretation within Islam are not new. Such differences have long been a natural and recognized part of Muslim history and have existed for centuries. In the past, various groups and organizations in Bangladesh, including sections identifying themselves with Ahlus Sunnah wal Jama'ah, have repeatedly called for Hefazat-e-Islam to be banned. Similarly, Hefazat-e-Islam has also called for the banning of various religious organizations. Due to differences among different groups and organizations active in the name of Islam, calling for one another to be banned appears to have become an unhealthy practice.”
He added:
“If a system is established whereby any legitimate organization can be banned simply because of differences in viewpoints or on the basis of an unjust demand by a particular group, then no political or social organization in this country will be able to enjoy its constitutional and religious freedoms, nor will citizens’ right to freedom of expression remain secure.”
The Imam strongly urged the government not to be influenced or misled by the incitement or pressure of any particular religious group, and instead to consider the matter objectively, impartially, and from a legal perspective.
Hezbut Tawheed is a fully law-abiding movement. Imam Hossain Mohammad Salim expressed hope that the present government would uphold the human rights, legitimate civil rights, and freedom of expression, including freedom of speech, of every member of Hezbut Tawheed.
Expressing deep concern, he said:
“For a long time, extremist Qawmi groups and certain leaders of Hefazat have been attempting to create disorder in society by producing false leaflets, spreading misinformation, conducting defamatory campaigns, and circulating various rumors against Hezbut Tawheed. Their far-reaching and deliberate conspiracy could create serious consequences not only for Hezbut Tawheed but also for the overall peace and stability of the country and for the government.”
Imam Hossain Mohammad Salim further stated that Hefazat-e-Islam is essentially attempting to use the government as a means to pursue its own religious extremism and hidden agenda. However, he expressed his firm belief that the democratic government of an independent and sovereign Bangladesh will not allow such activities or objectives to succeed.
He emphasized that, as citizens of an independent country, every citizen and organization has an equal right to conduct peaceful ideological activities while abiding by the laws of the country.
— Issued by —
S. M. Shamsul Huda
Information Secretary
Hezbut Tawheed
