BNP rejects bid to link PM aide to Pabna mosque row, accuses MP of politicising prayers

The BNP on Tuesday rejected allegations linking Prime Minister's Special Assistant Saiyed Abdullah to the controversy surrounding a Member of Parliament leading prayers at a mosque in Pabna, accusing MP Barrister Najibur Rahman Momen of orchestrating the incident for “political gain” and attempting to “seize control of local mosques.”

At a press conference in Santhia, leaders of the Santhia Upazila and Municipal BNP described allegations against Saiyed Abdullah as "fabricated" and "baseless," insisting he was in Dhaka on the day of the incident.

Reading a written statement, Municipal BNP President Abdul Karim alleged that the controversy had been deliberately staged to expand political influence in Santhia while launching a smear campaign against the Prime Minister's special assistant.

He claimed that Momen had been visiting mosques for political purposes and sought to lead prayers at the Aftabnagar Mosque despite objections from the mosque committee, the designated imam and many worshippers. 

According to the BNP, worshippers opposed the move because of differences between the MP's religious views and the creed followed by Jamaat-e-Islami. The party also dismissed allegations that its supporters carried weapons inside the mosque as "completely false."

The BNP further alleged that several people, including Mujahid Fakir and Saddam Fakir, were directly involved in the stabbing of Chhatra Dal leader Rahat, demanding their immediate arrest and exemplary punishment.

Municipal BNP General Secretary Sirajul Islam Mallik accused the MP of pursuing "a planned effort" to establish political control over mosques in Santhia.

"We opposed the political use of religious institutions, and local people supported us," he said. "Now, to give the issue a political colour, the MP has falsely implicated Prime Minister's Special Assistant Saiyed Abdullah."

The party said it remained committed to resolving political differences and working with Jamaat-e-Islami and other parties for the development of Santhia under the leadership of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman.

MP Barrister Najibur Rahman Momen, however, categorically rejected the allegations, accusing the BNP of resorting to violence after "political defeat."

"The people asked me to lead the prayers out of affection. I do not need permission from any political party to do so," he said.

Describing the stabbing of the Chhatra Dal leader as a "pre-planned drama," Momen said those accused in the incident were not members of his party.

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