Extreme messages of this kind are not new. For years, Islamist radicals have called for seizing power in order to turn Bangladesh into a theocratic state, similar to Afghanistan during the days of Taliban rule. The latest declarations, analysts say, are aimed at halting ongoing judicial proceedings against Jamaat party leaders.

The International Crimes Tribunal of Bangladesh is swiftly moving to convict nine key Jamaat figures, including party chief Matiur Rahman Nizami and secretary general Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujahid, in connection with atrocities committed during the Liberation War.

"This is the first time since independence [that] they are under tremendous pressure," says Mohiuddin Ahmed, a former diplomat.  "Their top leaders are under trial and they can guess the fate of their leaders. But I think the Jamaat should get the opportunity to do peaceful politics at democratic way," he told Khabar in Dhaka.

The Jamaat booklet quotes 53 verses from the holy Qur’an and 17 quotations from the Hadith to both justify jihadi action and to prove such actions are not un-Islamic. Moreover, it urges Jamaat followers do anything for the party – including carrying out acts of violence — and sacrifice their lives, if necessary, to free its leaders.

Religious experts, however, say such calls are profoundly at odds with Islamic teachings and reflect a misunderstanding of jihad.

"There is no similarity with the situation in which Prophet Mohammad performed jihad," said Kazi Nurul Islam, department chairman of World Religions and Culture at Dhaka University.

Although the Qur’an mentions jihad, it also discusses where it should be performed, Islam points out.  Jihad is sometimes misinterpreted and mentioned in a way as if it is applicable at all times in all situations, according to him.

The misuse of the Prophet’s teachings amounts to blasphemy, some commentators suggest.

"Religion is a sacred thing. No one should try to use it as a weapon to gain political benefit," observes Shamim Mohammad Afzal, director general of the state-run Islamic Foundation.  "If anyone tries to do this, he should be brought to justice."

State Minister for Law Kamrul Islam told Khabar that the booklet is aimed at inciting violence while undermining the judicial process.  "Jamaat is now hell bent on scuttling the trial of their leaders," he said. "They have resorted to all techniques and methods to stop the trial. Having failed in their efforts, they are now trying to create anarchy in the country."

"We’re fully aware of their heinous designs and we’ll do whatever it takes to foil their unlawful activities," Islam said. Dhaka police is examining whether the book let violated any law of the land and what action taken against the Jamaat.

MILITANTS ON RUN

Seven years after Bangladesh was rocked by synchronized bomb blasts in 58 of its 64 districts, the authorities appear to have gained significant ground against Islamist extremists who masterminded the attacks, according to Khabar South Asia. The blasts on August 17th, 2005 killed two people and injured several dozen others. While casualty figures were not high, the well-coordinated attacks brought into sharp focus the ability and organisational prowess of the hitherto unknown militant group Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), which claimed responsibility for the blasts.

"It really shook the authorities to the core, prompting swift and decisive response from the government against the militants," said Mohiuddin Ahmed, a former diplomat and columnist, who frequently writes about Islamic fundamentalism.  

Within days, law enforcement agencies swung into action, cracking down hard on militants.  In less than three years, law enforcement personnel hunted down the key leaders of the JMB and rounded up hundreds of militant activists. The crackdown culminated with the hanging of seven JMB leaders including its chief, Shaikh Abdur Rahman, in 2008.

"We’ve seen what religious extremism can do to a country. Pakistan and Afghanistan are two burning examples in front of us," Sohel Ahmed, media director of the elite Rapid Action Battalion, told Khabar South Asia.  "We’ve succeeded in clipping their wings and preventing Bangladesh from becoming a breeding ground for militancy," he added.

According to RAB statistics, 804 members of various militant groups and 557 JMB members have been arrested in the past seven years, and militant activities have declined significantly.

Some experts caution against being too quick to claim victory against extremists. They point to other militant organisations such as Harkat-ul Jihad (HuJI) and Hizb-ut-Tahrir, which still harbour the goal of turning Bangladesh into a theocratic state.

At present, most of the top leaders of HuJI including Mufti Abdul Hannan are in jail. So are the leaders of Tahrir, including its chief coordinator, AKM Mohiuddin Ahmad, a Dhaka University professor. These days, militant activities are largely confined to organising occasional small protests after Friday prayers.  Those participating seem content, at least for now, to raise a few slogans in an apparent effort to make their presence felt. They are seen to beat a hasty retreat with the sight of police. Still, analysts say, such groups must not be allowed to fall below the radar.

"It’s true that extremists’ real threat has largely been blunted. But that does not mean they have been completely vanquished, and they will try to take advantage of any laxity on the part of the law enforcement agencies. So they must vigorously continue their crackdown on those misguided elements masquerading as promoters of Islam," Abdul Baqui, professor of Islamic Studies at Dhaka University, said.

"We should not be complacent and must not let our guard down against any possible resurgence of the militant groups," agreed Ahmed, the columnist.

According to the RAB, 19 JMB members and 44 members of other militant groups including Tahrir and HuJI were captured from January to October 2011. The arrests in the previous year were 85 in all and they included several militant leaders
 
Maulana Mohammad Salahuddin, Khatib of Baitul Mukarram national mosque in Dhaka, said he has noticed a sharp decline in militant activities in recent years.  "Those militants and extremists who used to lead processions on Dhaka roads with slogans like ‘Bangladesh will become Afghanistan’ could not be found any more," he said. "This is good news not only for Bangladesh, but also for the subcontinent, South Asia and for the whole world. Islam does not support militancy and the Bangladeshi people in general are also against any form of extremism."
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HUT UNDER STRICT SURVEILLANCE

Authorities are trying to neutralise efforts by extremist organisation Hizb-ut-Tahrir to recruit members at Bangladesh’s universities, as well as efforts by the group, linked to an attempted coup, to stage demonstrations at Friday prayers.

Over the past three years, several professors and students have been arrested after attempting to spread the extremist group’s message within the university community.

Hizb-ut-Tahrir, which was established in Bangladesh in 2001, favours establishment of a khilafah (Islamic state) in Bangladesh.  Banned by the government on October 22nd of last year, Hizb-ut-Tahrir has raised alarm because of its efforts to recruit college students and their instructors.

"This trend is very unusual. According to many researches and investigations, poverty and illiteracy are among the causes that take a group of people to the path of militancy," said Mofizur Rahman, associate professor at Dhaka University’s Mass Communication and Journalism Department.  "But in the cases of Tahrir, we see that those people who are not poor by any means have joined this extremist organisation," he said.

Police say the group’s activities are centred in Dhaka. Surveillance has led to key arrests and disrupted rogue army officials’ December 2011 coup attempt against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.  Emails linked the plotters to Hizb-ut-Tahrir and the university community.

According to Dhaka University sociology professor Mashiur Rahman, Hizb-ut-Tahrir apparently had links to mid-level Bangladesh army officers involved in the failed coup. Police estimate that the outlawed outfit has about 10,000 members throughout Bangladesh. Court records show that about 270 leaders and activists of Tahrir were arrested in the past two years.

The arrest of a son of the press secretary of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia on charges of involvement with Hizb-ut-Tahrir shows the reach of the extremist group. Rishad Kamal Khan, 20, was arrested together with engineering student Faisal Ahmed, 20, on December 5th, 2011. They possessed 16 Hizb-ut-Tahrir posters blaming India for the 2009 Pilkhana massacre, a mutiny by Bangladeshi border guards in which 79 people, mostly senior army officials, were killed.

In July 2010, detectives arrested Dhaka University Management Department Professor Gulam Mawla for alleged involvement with the group. Two months earlier, thirteen suspected members — including a teacher and four students — were arrested at the same university.  On April 20th, 2010, police arrested Professor AKM Mohiuddin Ahmed, said to be the chief co-ordinator of the banned outfit. He is a teacher of the Institute of Business Administration of Dhaka University.

Says Prof Mofiz, the mass communications professor: "We must know why educated people like these university teachers and students are getting involved with Hizb-ut-Tahrir." In his view, "accurate reasons behind their involvement must be unearthed and proper steps should be taken to completely eradicate this menace from Bangladesh."

Prof Rahman echoes Mofiz’s views. "The challenge that would come from Tahrir would be huge," he points out. "Tahrir men are not mere madrassa students. They are from high class of the society. So a comprehensive and long-term action plan will be needed to erase the fanatic group."

It is his considered view that Bangladesh and India should develop a joint programme to address the unique threat the organisation poses since Hizb-ut-Tahrir is reportedly active in India for at least two years.