11-party hartal not to protect Islam: IAB

Dhaka, July 9 (bdnews24.com) ? Chief of Islami Andolan Bangladesh (IAB) Syed Rezaul Karim has said the 11 pro-Islamic parties called the 30-hour nationwide general strike to serve their own political interests, not to protect Islam.

"Although those parties are Islamic, they do not properly abide by Islamic principles... It won't be wise for us to observe any programme with them. So, we'll observe Sunday's hartal on our own," Karim, known as Peer of Chormonai, said on Saturday.

Addressing a press conference at its Purana Paltan headquarters, Karim threatened to launch harsher programmes if the government obstructed their hartal.

At another press conference, Abdur Rob Yusufi, a senior leader of Khelafat-e-Majlish, said, "We all do politics and we should have a purpose. But now our objective is to have Absolute Faith and Trust in Allah reinstated in the constitution."

He said they would observe the hartal to defend their faith in Allah as His soldiers. "We'll wage tougher programmes in case of any obstruction during the hartal. The hartal will be extended, if necessary," he warned.

The Hindu community on Friday called for postponing the general strike considering their 'Ulta Rath', popularly known as Bahuda Yatra, and the festival of Chariots of Lord Jagannath, on Monday.

The like-minded 11 parties, known as close allies of the main position BNP, on June 30 called the countrywide 30-hour general strike from July 10, demanding restoration of 'Absolute Faith and Trust in Allah' in the constitution.

The parties are Khelafat-e-Majlish, Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon, Sammilito Olama Mashayekh Parishad, National Democratic Party, Islami Oikya Andolon, Bangladesh Muslim League, Bangladesh NAP, NAP Bhasani, Jatiya Gonatantrik Party, Islamic Party and Nezam-e- Islami Party.

IAB on June 29 called the countrywide dawn-to-dusk general strike on July 10 (Sunday) to press for its demands.

The main opposition BNP and its key ally Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami on Friday extended their support to their shutdown.

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