Mamunul Haque

Mamunul Haque (born November 1973) is a Bangladeshi Islamic scholar and the Joint Secretary-General of Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh, emerged as an Islamist leader in the late 2010s, particularly following the deadliest events of the Siege of Dhaka.

[2] In 2020 and 2021, he led opposition to the construction of a sculpture of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and organized anti-Modi protests, which made him the undisputed Hefazat leader overnight.

Following the fall of this regime, he participated in discussions with the President and the Chief of Army Staff, which eventually led to the formation of the Yunus ministry, which included a member from Hefazat, A F M Khalid Hossain.

In addition to his political and religious activities, he has served as an adjunct professor at Asian University of Bangladesh and is the editor of Rahmani Paigam, a monthly magazine published in Dhaka.

On 15 November, Deputy Minister of Education Nawfel, speaking at the Gol Pahar Kali temple in Chittagong, issued a pointed warning to Haque, suggesting severe consequences if he continued his rhetoric.

[12] The situation escalated further on 26 November when Al Nahian Khan, the president of the Bangladesh Chhatra League, led a rally in Dhaka where he labeled Haque a terrorist and issued a provocative threat against him.

[13] That same day, Nawfel, alongside members of various Awami League-affiliated groups, held a rally in Chittagong, vowing to resist Haque's activities in the district and also burned an effigy of him.

[14] On 27 November, Haque proceeded with a planned conference in Hathazari, despite attempts by Awami League-affiliated groups to block his access to the city by surrounding Chittagong Airport and key entry points.

[21][22] On 3 December, a scheduled conference by Haque in Sirajganj Sadar Upazila was halted due to objections from the Awami League, and similar rallies in Brahmanbaria, Khulna, and Narail were also stopped.

[29] On 10 December, Haque faced another case under the Digital Security Act for allegedly spreading anti-sculpture rhetoric on social media, which the court redirected to the police.

[34] On 19 February, derogatory remarks about Haque made by a resident of Moindia in the Parameshwardi union of Boalmari Upazila, incited local villagers to assault and confine him in a house in Maindia Bazar.

[36] Hefazat-e-Islam launched its opposition to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Bangladesh on 26 March 2021, with Mamunul Haque leading the movement.

[37] On 3 April 2021, Haque and his wife visited the Sonargaon Upazila in Narayanganj for a vacation, where they faced harassment and obstruction from supporters of the ruling Awami League.

[39] Hefazat supporters vandalized resorts, Awami League offices, and private homes, set vehicles on fire, and blocked the Dhaka-Chittagong highway by igniting it.

[46] Following the fall of Sheikh Hasina's government, he engaged in discussions with the newly formed interim administration, seeking the withdrawal of what he claims are unfounded charges against him.

[50] Zafrullah Chowdhury threatened a blockade of the High Court with 10,000 people on 3 July, citing inhumane treatment and the denial of family visits, while Nurul Haq Nur of Gono Odhikar Parishad and Mahmudur Rahman Manna of Nagorik Oikya warned that his detention was part of a broader crackdown on Islamic scholars.

[55] As the situation escalated, Sheikh al-Hadith Parishad threatened severe action by 20 August,[56] and Hefazat-e-Islam convened an Ulama-Mashayekh conference on 26 October, giving a 30 November ultimatum for his release.

[61] Ultimately, Haque was released on 3 May, and in his first public speech, he vowed to continue his mission until what he described as the "flag of Allah" was raised,[62] with Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh hosting a reception for him in Dhaka on 10 July.

[66] He claimed that the people had united against what he described as a fascist regime, which reportedly weakened when Sheikh Hasina left for India amid the August 5 protests.

[68] On 7 August, he met with former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia,[69] and the next day, the Yunus ministry was established, with A F M Khalid Hossain joining as a representative of Hefazat-e-Islam.

[71][72] On 31 August, during discussions with the interim head Muhammad Yunus demanded an investigation into the Shapla Square massacre under the previous regime and called for the dismissal of cases against leaders of aligned parties, including Hefazat-e-Islam, within a month.

[48] During a speech marking the one-month anniversary of the fall of the Sheikh Hasina regime, he criticized the 1972 constitution, describing it as not representing the will of the common people and as having been imposed by India.

[77] On 1 October, he was interviewed by Bangla Tribune, where he discussed a broad range of topics, including the Qawmi Madrasa certificate, the 24 Uprising, the participation of Qawmi Madrasa students in the movement, contemporary Islamic politics, future aspirations, his arrest, current political challenges, ideological distinctions, religious content in textbooks, attacks on Hindu communities, the destruction of religious shrines, and the Royal Resort incident.

[83] On 29 November, he accused ISKCON of collaborating with India and the Awami League, alleging their involvement in lawyer Saiful Islam's murder in Chittagong, while demanding a ban on the organization and justice for the killing.

[85] On 12 December, he stated that no national elections could take place in Bangladesh without addressing past incidents of violence, disappearances, and killings over the preceding 16 years, including those linked to the Student–People's uprising.

Mamunul Haque appears on Peace TV
Crowd Gathers in Netrokona for Mamunul Haque's Helicopter Departure
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman statue defaced by two people after Mamunul Haque's opposition
Narendra Modi 's arrival in Dhaka on March 26, 2021, to honor Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's birth centenary at Sheikh Hasina 's invitation
Police take Mamunul Haque to Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court Dhaka for remand request
Placard reading 'Want release' for Mamunul Haque shown by Dhaka protesters
Debut cover of Speaking from Prison , published by Bishokollan Publications
Mamunul Haque leading a Mass Rally of Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis at Chittagong's Laldighi Ground .
Mamunul Haque honored with "National Hero" title at 85th International Islamic Conference of Al Jamia Al Islamia Patiya .