Source: AFP
DHAKA — At least 100,000 hardline Islamists demanding a new blasphemy law blocked major highways on Sunday cutting off the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka from the rest of the country, police said.
Chanting “Allahu Akbar!” (“God is the greatest!”), activists from Hefajat-e-Islam marched down at least six highways, stopping road transport between Dhaka and other cities and towns.
Hefajat held the mass protest to push for a 13-point list of demands which also includes a ban on men and women being able to mix freely together and the restoration of pledges to Allah in the constitution.
The newly created radical Islamist group is also calling for the death penalty for those who defame Islam.
Police fired rubber bullets and tear gas at thousands of Hefajat activists to disperse them as they entered Dhaka, an AFP photographer at the scene said. There were no reports of injuries.
The demonstrators plan to gather for a rally in the capital later today.
Ismail Hossain, police chief at Tongi town, which links Dhaka with northern Bangladesh, told AFP that “at least 100,000 Hefajat activists” had been blocking the main highway since dawn.
“They are peaceful. We don’t have any report of violence,” he said.
Categories: Asia, Bangladesh
It is disgraceful to call someone ‘Islamist’, who disregards the teachings of the Quran (which states that ‘there is no compulsion in religion’).
This is not Islam. This is just for domination!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Holy Prophet Peace Be Upon him said removing an obstacle from the road is Sadaqa, these so called Muslims are blocking the major highways and thinking that they have done something great to Islam, May Allah show them the right path and follow the true teachings of Holy Prophet.
A BIG QUESTIOM MARK
IS THE ACT OF PROTESTERS ISLAMIC ??????
QUESTION
It is blasphemous to demand a human law against blasphemy, as it implies that Allah is unable to defend Himself without help from humans!
These bigoted mullahs have their own nefarious designs in the name of Islam. I hope and pray that Bangladesh government will deal with these hooligans with iron hand and keep the country clean of such terrorist who in the name of God and religion want to exploit the majority of citizens.Don’t let Bangladesh become Pakistan.