Bangladesh Awami Olama League

Bangladesh Awami Olama League is a religious organization of Bangladesh that claims affiliation with the ruling Bangladesh Awami League.[1][2] Although the Bangladesh Awami League denies[3] any relationship, critics argue it uses platforms such as the Olama League for its own political benefits.[4][5]

History

The Awami Olama League was officially founded in 1996 on the directives of the Awami League president and later prime minister, Sheikh Hasina.[2] Awami League officially denies involvement with it, although members maintain close ties with Awami League decision makers.[2][4] Analysts argue that this gives the Awami League an "Islamic label" and serves as a "pocket organization" rather than a source of opposition.[5]

The organization is currently divided into several factions, one led by Ismail Hossain Bin Helali, another led by Abdul Hasan Sheikh Shariatpuri, who are also rival Sufi groups.[2] They accuse each other of being "agents" of Jamaat-e-Islami and being "illiterate".[2] The two factions have often clashed violently and repeatedly.[6]

Controversy

In 2016, the organization demanded a stop to government funding of Pahela Baishakh and a ban on airing of Indian channels in Bangladesh.[1]

In 2017, Olama League demanded a removal of the placement of a statue of a Greek goddess of justice from the premises of the Supreme Court.[7][8]

See also

References
  1. "Awami Olama League against funding Bangla New Year celebrations". bdnews24.com. 9 April 2016. Retrieved 11 April 2016.
  2. "Olama League: other side of secular AL?". The Daily Star. 11 April 2016. Retrieved 11 April 2016.
  3. "Awami League has no relations with Olama League: Hanif". bdnews24.com. 13 April 2016. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  4. Molla, Mohammad Al- Masum (24 November 2014). "Fakhrul blames AL for rise of militancy". Dhaka Tribune. Retrieved 11 April 2016.
  5. Islam, Md Saidul (March 2011). "'Minority Islam' in Muslim Majority Bangladesh". Journal of Muslim Minority Affairs. 31 (1): 137–138. doi:10.1080/13602004.2011.556893. ISSN 1360-2004. Archived from the original on 23 June 2016. Retrieved 28 April 2016.
  6. "25 injured as Olama League factions clash". The Daily Star. 18 October 2015. Retrieved 20 April 2016.
  7. "Hefajat, Olama league demand removal of SC sculpture". The Daily Star. 5 February 2017. Retrieved 17 March 2017.
  8. "Remove Greek statue from HC premises : Ulama League". ABNews. 4 March 2017. Retrieved 17 March 2017.
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