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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]
| Formation | 1996 |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Bangladesh |
History edit
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 edit
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 edit
References edit
- ^ a b "Awami Olama League against funding Bangla New Year celebrations". bdnews24.com. 9 April 2016. Retrieved 11 April 2016.
- ^ a b c d e "Olama League: other side of secular AL?". The Daily Star. 11 April 2016. Retrieved 11 April 2016.
- ^ "Awami League has no relations with Olama League: Hanif". bdnews24.com. 13 April 2016. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
- ^ a b Molla, Mohammad Al- Masum (24 November 2014). "Fakhrul blames AL for rise of militancy". Dhaka Tribune. Retrieved 11 April 2016.
- ^ a b 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.
- ^ "25 injured as Olama League factions clash". The Daily Star. 18 October 2015. Retrieved 20 April 2016.
- ^ "Hefajat, Olama league demand removal of SC sculpture". The Daily Star. 5 February 2017. Retrieved 17 March 2017.
- ^ "Remove Greek statue from HC premises : Ulama League". ABNews. 4 March 2017. Archived from the original on 18 March 2017. Retrieved 17 March 2017.