Source: The Daily Star
Sheikh Hasina speaks to the BBC’s Anbarasan Ethirajan during an exclusive interview in Dhaka.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh, has firmly rejected the demand for a new anti-blasphemy law to punish those who defame Islam and Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).
Reacting to Hefajat-e Islam’s demand for such a law, Hasina said during an interview with the BBC that existing laws were sufficient to punish anyone who attempted to insult religion.
Her comments came a day after hundreds of thousands of supporters of the radical Islamist organisation held a massive rally in the capital’s commercial hub Motijheel.
The marchers of the umbrella organisation called for the death penalty for those guilty of blasphemy.
Hasina said: “They have demanded it. Actually, we don’t have any plan to [bring in the law]. We don’t need it. They should know that existing laws are enough.
“This country is a secular democracy. So each and every religion has the right to practice their religion freely and fair. But it is not fair to hurt anybody’s religious feeling. Always we try to protect every religious sentiment.”
The Muslim Times’ Editor’s comment
We should be encouraged with such bold steps to protect the countries constitutional rights for all religions. This is the true teachings of Islam that was practiced by Holy Prophet Muhammad, may peace be on him.
Categories: Asia, Bangladesh, Blasphemy, Democracy, Human Rights, Secularism, Separation of Church and State
There is no punishment for blasphemy in the Quran. Capital punishment cannot be awarded on the basis of Hadith alone. For capital punishment, proof must come from the Quran. That is agreed by Maudoodi sahib.
Some one should ask about it from leaders of Jama’at islami if any serious punishment can be awarded just on the basis of hadith alone.
Maudoodi sahib had taught that proof for matters of death sentence, or for Haraam/ halaal must come from the Quran and must be supported from the Quran. They cannot be decided by Hadith alone.
I believe any one who will get hold of Maudoodi sahib’s (old original) books and sort out the info from there and then present it to the Jama’at maulvis, the maulvis will have no option except to distance away from any punishment for blasphemy.
This can be done and shown to maulvis in Pakistan and Bangladesh, just to see what is their reply. Also it can be made public on the media for every one’s knowledge. The material will be available in the books titled “Rasaail o Masaail” volume 3 or volume 5(?). Wassalam.
Love for all religions without descrimination should be encouraged in our Global Village with such bold steps to protect the countries constitutional rights. This is the true pretty teachings of Islam that was practiced by Holy Prophet Muhammad, may peace be on him.
Truth prevails. Really a firm and fair comments by the PM of Bangladesh. It is commendable.
Being a woman she has taken a bold step according to the real teaching of Islam
May Allah help her further.Aameen
May Allah give her strength not to cave in the demands of the fundamentalists in her country. More power to her elbow to hold the scales even, which Islam stands for. Her efforts in this respect should be recognized and advocated in other countries as well. Kalimullah Khan
AL HAMDU LILLA,
MAY ALMIGHTY ALLAH HELP THOSE WHO TRY TO ESTABLISH PEACE AND JUSTICE IN THE WORLD !!
Shaikh Hasina Wajid really has a strong Islamic belief. She is the Iron lady of Islam. May Allah bless her and save from the wrong people.
Commendable action by Mrs. Hasina. Her father, late Sheikh Mujib was a visionary. He always talked in terms of my right, my land, my river, my people – as if he really owned them. After a long time, she has taken a clear and just stand, as her father would have.