Md. Abdul Qaiyum, Moulvibazar

Local residents in Jagannathpur have demanded the immediate removal of Maulana Shah Alam, the newly appointed Imam of the Moulvibazar District Model Mosque, labeling him a collaborator of the former autocratic regime and an instigator of local communal strife.

Protesting his appointment, residents of Jagannathpur organized a human chain and rally in front of the District Model Mosque along the Dhaka-Sylhet regional highway on Saturday afternoon.

The demonstration created a tense atmosphere throughout the surrounding area.

Teachers, Islamic scholars (aleems), and students from various Qawmi madrasahs in the district joined over a hundred local worshippers in the protest.

Addressing the human chain, speakers alleged that the newly appointed imam has been creating unnecessary division among locals instead of maintaining peace, harmony, and unity. They claimed that Maulana Shah Alam had long acted as an associate of the ousted government and generated confusion among general worshippers, triggering severe resentment among devout locals.

Protesters urged the local administration to immediately relieve Maulana Shah Alam of his duties at the model mosque and initiate an investigation into his past role in causing social disharmony. They demanded the appointment of a qualified, non-partisan Islamic scholar to preserve the sanctity and reputation of the mosque, warning of tougher political and social programs if their demands are not met.

The human chain was presided over by prominent local scholar and former Imam of Jagannathpur Shahi Eidgah, Maulana Fakhrul Islam, and conducted by Maulana Al-Amin. Former Union Parishad member Shah Helal Shahel, Babul Mia, Joynal Abedin Kajol, Maulana Abdul Hannan, Maulana Farooq Ahmed, former Darul Uloom Madrasah lecturer Maulana Mujahidul Islam, and Maulana Lokman Ahmed also spoke at the event.