Dargah-Mazar committee condemns use of Kalima flag for 'extremist agenda', seeks legal action

The Bangladesh Dargah-Mazar National Coordinating Committee has condemned what it described as the misuse of the Holy Kalima flag to promote extremism and militant activities, urging authorities to take immediate legal action against those responsible.

In a press release issued today (30 June), the organisation's central leaders, including Chairman Alhaj Shah Mohammad Tauhidul Quader Chowdhury and Secretary General Alhaj Shah Mohammad Zakir Hossain Chhobhani, said the Holy Kalima, "La Ilaha Illallahu Muhammadur Rasulullah", is sacred to Muslims and should not be used to advance political or militant objectives.

The committee alleged that recent activities carried out under the banner of the Kalima flag were being portrayed as spontaneous expressions of youth or cultural movements, but claimed that "an identified militant group" was using the symbol to pursue a hidden agenda.

It said the ongoing activities did not reflect the true significance or values associated with the Kalima and accused extremists of exploiting the religious sentiments of ordinary people to further their objectives.

The organisation also alleged that while many people viewed the incidents as emotional or religious expressions, extremist groups were taking advantage of the situation to expand their influence.

Calling the use of religious symbols to justify unlawful activities "unacceptable", the committee urged the authorities to take legal action against those responsible and called on the public to remain vigilant against those it said were operating under the guise of religion.