We practice the Islam of Madinah, not Maududi’s, says Salahuddin

BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed on Saturday said the BNP follows the Islam of Madinah, not that of Pakistani theologian Abul Ala Maududi, calling on Muslims to reject those trying to exploit religion for political gain.

“We practice the Islam of Madinah. We are not followers of Maududi’s Islam. We must stay away from those who want to create discord and division. Politics cannot be done with Islam,” Salahuddin said while addressing a gathering titled ‘Ajmate Sahaba’ organised by Qasemi Parishad at the Central Eidgah Maidan in Isdair, Narayanganj city.

The BNP leader alleged that ahead of the next general election, certain political quarters were “using Islam for political purposes,” which, he warned, was damaging to the nation.

He also criticised the previous government, accusing it of pursuing policies “hostile to Islam, Muslims and scholars.”

“They have fallen mercilessly. Now we must practice politics of ideology—so that the Awami League’s apolitical politics is eradicated. We need to restore a culture of good politics,” Salahuddin said.

The event was presided over by Mufti Maulana Monir Kashemi, president of Narayanganj District Jamiat Ulama Islam.

Speakers included Khalil Ahmad Qureshi of Hefazat-e-Islam, Jamiat Ulama Islam Secretary General Manjurul Islam Afendi, Hefazat Joint Secretary General Nasiruddin Monir, Narayanganj District BNP Convener Mamun Mahmud, Joint Convener Masukul Islam Rajib, Metropolitan BNP Convener Advocate Sakhawat Hossain Khan, Member Secretary Abu Al Yusuf Khan Tipu, and local BNP nomination hopefuls Abu Zafar Ahmed Babul and Masuduzzaman Masud, among others.