Editorial
We are Relieved
We express guarded sense of relief that the Friday prayer at the Baitul Mukarram mosque which many had feared could be desecrated by violence stopped short of an all-out clash between the Islami Oikkya Jote activists and the Awami League supporters. Although a show of strength was averted and the sanctity of the place was preserved by not letting a fight start in the mosque itself, its premises were used for the purpose all the same.
We are disappointed there and deplore the heinous side-act by a hell- bent design outside the mosque in the strongest language we are capable of. The fact that the country's president had to leave a function at Baitul Mukarram organised in observance of Eid-e-Miladunnabi without inaugurating it in the face of rumpus was an indictment enough on the politicisation of a profoundly religious occasion. The role played by the khatib in warding these off and then when they occurred in containing them, left much to be desired. In his position he was only expected to distance himself from any political party whatsoever. Even though he might privately have support for one political party or the other. A show-cause notice has been issued on him and let the law take its own course.
We appreciate the common-sensical decision by the Religious Affairs Minister Nurul Islam not to attend the Jumma prayers at Baitul Mukarram. He did not give any provocation but then those who plan mischief do not need one.
The House of God has to be kept beyond politics at any cost. No khatib or minister should try to make the most of a volatile situation - be it religious or political.
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