Hathazari Madrasa closed after students vandalise Allama Shafi’s office

The Technical and Madrasah Education Division on Thursday shut down the Al-Jamiatul Ahlia Darul Ulum Moinul Islam Madrasa in Hathazari upazila of Chattogram until further notice.

Signed by Syed Asgar Ali, assistant secretary to the division under the education ministry, the order stated, "A conditional permission was given to the qawmi madrasas on August 24 to resume academic activities and examinations.

"Al-Jamiatul Ahlia Darul Ulum Moinul Islam has been shut down until further notice, as the conditions were not fulfilled properly. This order will come into effect immediately."

The same morning, agitated students vandalised the office of Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh Amir Shah Ahmed Shafi at the Al-Jamiatul Ahlia Darul Ulum Moinul Islam Madrasa in Hathazari upazila of Chattogram.

Students of the madrasa (also known as the Hathazari Madrasa) began their agitation again since Wednesday as the madrasa administration was yet to fulfil some of their demands, including the removal of Allama Shafi from the position of director general at the institution. Using loudspeakers, the agitators asked other students to join their movement.

Law enforcers were then stationed outside the madrasa gate to help prevent any untoward incident.

Confirming the matter to The Business Standard, Hefazat-e-Islam Chattogram Metropolitan Branch Publicity Secretary Maulana ANM Ahmad Ullah said, "Around 20-30 outsiders attacked Allama Ahmad Shafi's office at Hathazari Madrasa.

"The attackers vandalised office furniture and window glasses. During the attack, they also used abusive language mentioning the name of Allama Shafi. It was not possible for any student to vandalise the office of a respected personality such as Allama Shafi."

"This was a planned attack instigated by outsiders," he claimed.

Meanwhile, the police, Rapid Action Battalion and other intelligence agencies rushed to the spot after being informed about the ongoing situation at the institution. However, they could not enter the madrasa premises because all the gates were padlocked.

"We are currently on high alert and waiting outside to maintain law and order there," said Additional Superintendent of Police of Hathazari Circle Abdullah Al Masum.

On Wednesday afternoon, Maulana Mainuddin Ruhi, central joint secretary general of Hefazat-e-Islam, was beaten by some agitating students of the madrasa.

Local people said the students have been protesting since Wednesday, demanding the expulsion of Anas Madani, son of Ahmad Shafi, and a teacher at the institution. Madani also serves as the central publicity secretary for the Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh.

Madani was expelled from the madrasa during a shura meeting at the Madrasa Majlis on Wednesday in the face of demands from the students.

Among other demands, the protesters sought reappointment of previous teachers and expulsion of controversial ones from the madrasa.

When contacted, Chattogram Metropolitan Branch Publicity Secretary Maulana ANM Ahmad Ullah said Madani was not present on the madrasa premises during the incident.