DHAKA: Religious affairs adviser AFM Khalid Hossain said Saturday that Bangladesh’s interim govt is not thinking of changing the national anthem. “These are attempts to create controversy. Our chief adviser (Muhammad Yunus) has repeatedly said the interim govt will not touch anything that may create controversy,” he said.
Artistes and activists from almost all districts and branch committees of Bangladesh Udichi Shilpi Goshthi, country’s biggest cultural organisation, had sung the national anthem “Amar Sonar Bangla” simultaneously Friday as a protest against any conspiracy against the anthem.Hossain, speaking at the Rajshahi Islamic Foundation, described those who attack religious establishments, especially places of worship, as “criminals and enemies of humanity”.
“These are evil activities. They are criminals… We will take legal steps immediately if any incident happens that harms communal harmony,” he said, stressing that he is not an adviser for Muslims but for people of all religions.
Hossain said that for security during Durga Puja, students from madrasas will be involved alongside local people in guarding temples to prevent attack or sabotage.
Earlier, Abdullahil Aman Azmi, son of late former Jamaat-e-Islami chief and symbol of war crimes in Bangladesh, Ghulam Azam, said the anthem was “contrary to the existence of independence” and demanded it be changed, leading to widespread debate and criticism on social media.
Artistes and activists from almost all districts and branch committees of Bangladesh Udichi Shilpi Goshthi, country’s biggest cultural organisation, had sung the national anthem “Amar Sonar Bangla” simultaneously Friday as a protest against any conspiracy against the anthem.Hossain, speaking at the Rajshahi Islamic Foundation, described those who attack religious establishments, especially places of worship, as “criminals and enemies of humanity”.
“These are evil activities. They are criminals… We will take legal steps immediately if any incident happens that harms communal harmony,” he said, stressing that he is not an adviser for Muslims but for people of all religions.
Hossain said that for security during Durga Puja, students from madrasas will be involved alongside local people in guarding temples to prevent attack or sabotage.
Earlier, Abdullahil Aman Azmi, son of late former Jamaat-e-Islami chief and symbol of war crimes in Bangladesh, Ghulam Azam, said the anthem was “contrary to the existence of independence” and demanded it be changed, leading to widespread debate and criticism on social media.