Bangladesh Khilafat Andolan (Bengali: বাংলাদেশ খেলাফত আন্দোলন, lit. 'Bangladesh Caliphate Movement') is an Islamist political party in Bangladesh, founded by Hafezzi Huzur after the 1981 Bangladeshi presidential election.[1] Hafezzi Huzur had been a presidential candidate in 1981.[1] He came third, scoring 387,215 votes (1.79%).[1] His candidacy was supported by the Islamic Republican Party and Bangladesh Justice Party.[1]
Bangladesh Khilafat Andolan বাংলাদেশ খেলাফত আন্দোলন Bangladesh Caliphate Movement | |
|---|---|
| Leader | Ataullah Hafezzi (since 2014) |
| Secretary-General | Habibullah Mianji |
| Second Amir | Ahmadullah Ashraf (1987–2014) |
| Founder | Muhammadullah Hafezzi |
| Founded | November 29, 1981 |
| Headquarters | Kellar Mor, Lalbagh Thana, Dhaka |
| Ideology | Islamism Panislamism Islamic fundamentalism Social conservatism Anti-Atlanticism Anti-Zionism Anti-Communism |
| Political position | Far-right |
| Election symbol | |
| Banyan | |
The support of the party is largely confined to conservative sectors of ulema. The amir of the party is Ataullah Hafezzi and the general secretary is Habibullah Mianji.[2] The central international affairs secretary of the party is Kazi Azizul Huq[citation needed]. In the 2001 parliamentary elections, the party ran 30 candidates, out of whom no-one got elected.[citation needed].
History
editThe party was established on 29 November 1981 by the Islamic scholar Muhammadullah Hafezzi, following the 1981 Bangladeshi presidential election, in which Hafezzi was an independent candidate. His student, Azizul Haque, was appointed as the chief spokesperson of the party. Hafezzi contested in the 1986 Bangladeshi presidential election, reaching second place.[2]
After the death of Hafezzi on 7 May 1987, his eldest son Ahmadullah Ashraf became the next amir of the party. On 22 December 1990, the Andolan joined the Islami Oikya Jote; a political alliance of six Islamic parties founded by Khelafat Majlish leader Azizul Haque.[3] Leading the party for 27 years, Ashraf stepped down as amir on 29 November 2014 and was succeeded by his younger brother Ataullah Hafezzi.[2]
Views
editThe programme of Bangladesh Khilafat Andolan includes introduction of the principles of the Qur'an and Sunnah in the construction of the state, reorientation of the judicial system towards Sharia law, islamization of the educational system, reorganisation of Zakat and waqfs, etc. The party is staunchly opposed to US occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan, and has participated in many rallies and protests on the issue[citation needed]. In June 2004, ahead of a visit to Bangladesh by Donald Rumsfeld, the party issued a statement calling him a "perpetrator of genocide in Iraq and Afghanistan, a war criminal, enemy of mankind and Allah".[4]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d Ahamed, Emajuddin; D. R. J. A. Nazneen (August 1990). "Islam in Bangladesh: Revivalism or Power Politics?". Asian Survey. 30 (8): 802. doi:10.2307/2644499. JSTOR 2644499.
- ^ a b c বাংলাদেশ খেলাফত আন্দোলন. Onushilon (in Bengali).
- ^ খেলাফত মজলিস. Onushilon (in Bengali).
- ^ Hendren, John (4 June 2004). "U.S. to Lobby Asia Allies for More Support". Los Angeles Times.