Parliament Erupts Over Quranic Verse Interpretation
Collected Photo
Government and opposition MPs engaged in a heated debate in the National Parliament over the interpretation of a verse from the Holy Quran during the general discussion on the budget. The disagreement eventually escalated into a verbal exchange, prompting the Speaker to intervene several times.
MPs held the general discussion on the budget on Wednesday, the 14th day of the second session and first budget session of the 13th National Parliament.
Taking part in the discussion, Cox’s Bazar-2 MP Alamgir Mohammad Mahfuz Ullah quoted a Quranic verse while criticizing the activities of the opposition. In his speech, he said, “Those who deny the government’s development activities and seek to create disorder will face severe consequences.”
Subsequently, standing on a point of order, Jamaat-e-Islami MP Najibur Rahman Momen alleged that the remarks made through the citation of the Quranic verse amounted to a political misinterpretation and mockery of the verse. He demanded that the statement be removed from the parliamentary record.
In response, the Speaker said, “The matter will be examined. If any incorrect interpretation has been given, it will be expunged from the proceedings.”
“Bangladesh is a Muslim-majority country. Misinterpretation of the Quran and Hadith is never acceptable,” he added.
Later, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said, “The concerned MP did not make the remarks with any ill intent. He is a madrasa-educated individual and raised the religious issue in a positive context.” He also commented that it was not appropriate to interpret the matter politically.
However, opposition MP Mujibur Rahman disagreed with the Home Minister’s remarks. He claimed that the political interpretation had ignored the context in which the verse was revealed. He called for the matter to be reviewed by Islamic scholars or experts.
As the situation grew tense, the Speaker urged Mps to remain calm. He said, “Parliament has many scholars and madrasa-educated members. Rather than creating a new controversy, we will review the matter properly.”
Later, ruling party MP Kamruzzaman and Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni also spoke on the issue. They said, “The concerned MP did not make any remarks with the intention of ridicule or mockery. His purpose was to emphasize religious values and the importance of righteous deeds.”
Following repeated exchanges and interventions by the Speaker, the atmosphere in Parliament returned to normal.
