“Neither Islam nor any religious institution or any Qawmi madrasah is involved in producing any form of extremism, fake content or terrorism. Political evil forces, including Jamaat, are behind all these things,” he said.
The ruling party leader was addressing a dialogue titled "Extremism and fake content in social media: Challenges and way forward" organised by Move Foundation at a hotel in Baridhara diplomatic enclave.
He said attacks on the Buddha community in Cox’s Bazar and Hindus in Brahmanbaria were made instigating people through social media. “A quarter also tried to create anarchy spreading rumours and fake contents during the movements for quota reforms and safe roads,” he said.
Hanif also claimed that there was political support and cooperation behind these. “Not only Jamaat backed all these activities but also phone calls were made from London for destabilising the country,” he said in an oblique reference to BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman.
He said madrasah students are not involved in any extremist group or activity.
“Those who get political benefits after extremism strikes are involved in it. We must identify the beneficiaries of the incidents first and then we can understand who are involved in such activities.”
About the freedom of expression, the AL leader said anyone can express one’s opinions. “But we don’t want such type of freedom of speech which creates violence in the society. We don’t want such democracy where people are burned to death.”
Director of National Telecommunication Monitoring Centre Brigadier General Ziaul Ahsan presented the keynote at the programme while Canadian High Commissioner Benoit Prefontaine, former Chief Information Commissioner Prof Golam Rahman, Islami Oikya Jote leader Maulana Altaf Hossain, Major General (retd) Syed Muhammad Ibrahim, BNP leader Barrister Sarwar, Bhorer Kagoj Editor Shyamal Dutta, among others, attended the dialogue.
Honorary chair of Move Foundation Dr Manjur Ahmed Chowdhury moderated the dialogue while its founder and president Saiful Haque delivered the welcome speech.