7 hurt in clash over sacking Khatib in Noakhali

At least seven people were injured today in Noakhali’s Begumganj over sacking of a Khatib because of his “sermon against Pahela Baishakh”.

The clash in Ekhlaspur area said to have involved local Muslims and police, our local correspondent reports quoting witnesses and police.

Among the seven, three sustained bullet injuries. They have been admitted to Noakhali Sadar General Hospital, said Begumganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge Firoz Molla.

Members of Mosque committee of Central Jama Mosque discharged Khatib Mufti Omor Faruq of his duties on April 27 as the Khatib asked followers not to celebrate Pahela Baishakh, the first day of Bengali New Year, the OC said.

Local Muslims came to know of the sacking today when they went to the mosque for their Jumma prayers, he said.

They immediately protested and tried to block the road. Some agitated youths vandalised the mosque, prompting stationed policemen to fire a few rounds, the police official said.

Later, Assistant Police Superintendnet (Begumganj Circle) Md Shahjahan Sheikh, Assistant Commissioner Mostafa Zabed Kaiser, and OC Firoz Molla assured the Muslims that they would try to find a solution to the problem.