Hefazat demands removal of sculptures from July Memorial Museum

Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh has demanded the removal of sculptures installed at the July Mass Uprising Memorial Museum. In a statement sent to the media on Monday afternoon, the organisation's Ameer Shah Muhiubullah Babunagari and Secretary General Sajidur Rahman made the demand.

In the statement, Hefazat leaders said the installation of sculptures depicting the organisation's leaders and activists is contrary to Islamic law and also contradicts the sacrifices of Islamic scholars.

According to Hefazat, creating human sculptures is not permissible in Islam. Regardless of how significant the contribution of any individual or political figure may be, there is no scope for constructing sculptures in violation of religious injunctions.

The statement said constructing sculptures in the name of preserving the memory of those who played a role in the movement to protect Islamic faith and values is contradictory to their ideals. The organisation claimed that Islamic scholars had been victims of repression for opposing sculpture and idolatry in the past, yet sculptures are now being made in their likeness.

While acknowledging the need to preserve the memory of the July mass uprising and the sacrifices of martyrs and protesters, Hefazat said no measures conflicting with the religious sentiments and Islamic values of the people should be taken in the name of preserving that memory.

The organisation made two proposals regarding the museum: preserving and displaying written history, documentary evidence and relevant documents to present an accurate and objective history of the July movement, and incorporating the history of the 2013 Shapla Chattar incident, the sacrifices of Islamic scholars and the 2024 mass uprising into the national curriculum.

Demanding the removal of the sculptures, Hefazat warned that if there is any delay in implementing the demand, the Islamic scholars' community will not remain silent. The organisation's leaders said the installation of sculptures depicting Hefazat leaders at the July Museum conflicts with their religious beliefs and values.