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]

References

  1. 1 2 "Awami Olama League against funding Bangla New Year celebrations". bdnews24.com. 9 April 2016. Retrieved 11 April 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "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. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  4. 1 2 Molla, Mohammad Al- Masum (24 November 2014). "Fakhrul blames AL for rise of militancy". Dhaka Tribune. Retrieved 11 April 2016.
  5. 1 2 Islam, Md. Saidul (March 2011). "Minority Islam in Muslim Majority Bangladesh". Journal of Muslim Minority Affairs 31 (1): 137–138. Retrieved 28 April 2016.
  6. ↑ "25 injured as Olama League factions clash". The Daily Star. The Daily Star. 18 October 2015. Retrieved 20 April 2016.
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