Koranic interpretation and Islamist politics in Bangladesh

by Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury

(August 04, Dhaka, Sri Lanka Guardian) False interpretation of Koran by Muslim clergies is now challenged right inside Bangladesh through a write petition filed with Bangladesh Supreme Court on Sunday, August 1, 2010.

It has become a regular habit of Muslim clergies around the world in giving self-styled interpretation of Koran with the goal of fitting political, jihadist or otherwise intentions.

The writ petition filed by one Dev Narayan Maheshwar at Bangladesh Supreme Court, which was heard by judge Abdul Wahab Miah and Kazi Rezaul Huq, where the petitioner claimed that, Muslim clergies are continuing to give self-styled interpretation of the Koranic verse 99 and 113, claiming that prophet Abraham took his son Ismail for sacrifice in the name of God. But in the said verse of Koran, there is no mention of Ismail. Muslim clergies intentionally gave self-made interpretation of Koran with the goal of glorifying Isaac over Prophet Abraham’s son Jacob.

When contacted, grand imam of Bangladesh’s national mosque, Mufti Salahuddin said, there is no mention of Isaac’s name in Koran as being brought by his father for sacrifice in the name of God. But for centuries, Muslim clergies are listening to the story that Prophet Abraham took his son Isaac for sacrifice. This day of sacrifice by Prophet Abraham has been observed by Muslims in the world as Eid Ul Azha.

Benjin Khan, a Bangladeshi scholar and researcher of Islam and Koranic verses said, wrong as well false interpretation of Koran has become a regular practice of many Muslim clergies in the world. “Everyone gives interpretation in his own style to fit specific purpose”, he said.

Bangladesh Supreme Court will give verdict on the aforesaid write petition in several weeks. Once the verdict is given in favor of the writ petitioner, several interpretations of Koran by the Muslim clergies may then be challenged.

While the Koranic interpretation is challenged in Bangladesh’s highest judiciary, religious groups and political parties in Bangladesh will need to wrap up their activities soon, as country’s Supreme Court already gave another verdict recently upholding Bangladeshi constitution’s secular mode. Religious political parties such as, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish, Bangladesh Khelafat Andolan, Islamic Unity Front, Islami Oikya Jote, Islami Andolan Bangladesh etc have already lost legal right to continue their activities. Militant Islamist groups like Hizbut Towhid, Khatmey Nabuat Andolan etc also became illegal under the recent verdict. There is also no scope for religious groups such as Bangladesh Hindu League, Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Oikya Parishad, Hindu Grand Alliance etc.

Earlier Bangladesh government banned books by Moulana Abul Ala Moududi, who is the spiritual leader of Jamaat-e-Islami.