Olama Mashayekh rally gridlocks city

A massive gathering of Olama Mashayekh Bangladesh led to significant traffic disruptions across the capital on Tuesday.
Major intersections and roads in areas like Farmgate, Shahbagh, Paltan, Gulistan, and Mohakhali were paralysed due to the turnout of a large number of event participants.
The rally, held at Suhrawardy Udyan, attracted massive crowds, causing severe gridlocks that affected commuters throughout the day. Olama mashayekhs are Islamic scholars and preachers.
The public meeting was organised to address concerns over the "controversial" statements of Maulana Muhammad Saad Kandhlawi, an Indian Muslim scholar and preacher leading a faction of the Tablighi Jamaat.
Eminent scholars from Qawmi madrasas, including Hefazat-e-Islam Ameer Shah Muhibullah Babunagari and Hathazari Madrasa head Khalil Ahmed Qasemi, used the platform to urge the interim government to prevent Maulana Saad's entry into Bangladesh.
They argued that his presence would lead to discords within the Tablighi Jamaat and the broader Islamic community in Bangladesh.
During the event, Maulana Mahfuzul Haque, secretary general of the Qawmi Madrasa Education Board, read out a nine-point declaration.
Among other demands, he announced that the Kakrail Mosque, the Tablighi Jamaat's markaz (main centre), and Tongi Maidan, the venue of the upcoming Bishwa Ijtema, would be supervised by Haqqani scholars, with no involvement from Maulana Saad's supporters.
He also declared the dates of the six-day Bishwa Ijtema to be held in two phases, from January 31 to February 2 next year and then from February 7 to 9, underlining that Saad's faction would not be permitted to conduct any activities at the congregation.
The declaration from the scholars included a strong demand for justice for the violent events that took place at Shapla Chattar on May 5, 2013, where students and worshippers suffered casualties by the then fascist Awami League government.
Hefazat-e-Islam Secretary General Maulana Sajedur Rahman said, "You [the government] run the state; we will cooperate fully. But regarding religion and the Tabligh, the decision of the scholars is final."
This sentiment resonated with the rally attendees, especially in light of the ongoing division within the Tablighi Jamaat prevailing since 2018. Maulana Jobayerul Haque represents the Bangladesh-based faction, while Maulana Saad leads the other from India's Nizamuddin markaz.
The gathering resulted in intense traffic congestions, impacting vehicular movement across Dhaka's major thoroughfares, including Shahbagh, Farmgate, and Mohakhali, and extending to Dhanmondi, Moghbazar, and New Market.
Commuters faced extended delays as processions occupied key roadways, further adding to Dhaka's typical traffic woes.

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