Secretary General of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and former lawmaker Professor Mia Golam Porwar issued a statement today, October 6 expressing deep concern, strong condemnation, and protest over the desecration of the Holy Quran.

In his statement, he said that on August 4, a heinous and insolent act of desecration of the Holy Quran was committed by North South University student namely Apurbo Pal. This incident has deeply pained and angered the devout Muslims of Bangladesh as well as all peace-loving citizens.

He further said, the Holy Quran is the Word of Allah — the final and complete code of life for the mankind. Any act of disrespect toward this great scripture is not only an insult to religious sentiments but a grave rebellion against Allah Himself and a direct assault on Islam. Muslims love the Holy Quran more than their own lives and can never tolerate its desecration and defamation in any form. Moreover, not only Muslims — followers of every religion hold their respective scriptures with utmost reverence and affection.

Therefore, any act of desecrating a religious text is a gross violation of human rights and a severe threat to social harmony, amity, and coexistence. Such actions can never be justified under the guise of “freedom of expression” or “carelessness.”

In the statement, he also said that the people of Bangladesh have long upheld a noble tradition of religious harmony, tolerance, and mutual respect. The recent peaceful observance of the Durga Puja festival is living proof of Bangladesh’s communal harmony. Yet, at such a time, this despicable act of desecrating the Holy Quran raises serious concerns as to whether it is part of a conspiracy aimed at disrupting the country’s peace, stability, and religious harmony. He questioned the role of the North South University authorities, saying they should have treated the incident with utmost seriousness and taken prompt and firm administrative measures so that no one dares to repeat such audacity in the future.

He warned that if anyone attempts to falsely portray the accused as a “mentally ill person” in order to protect him or divert the course of justice, it would amount to showing disrespect toward justice and giving shelter to crime — the consequences of which could be disastrous for the country and the nation.

He said, “I strongly urge the concerned authorities of the government to bring the offender, Apurbo Pal, who is involved in this heinous crime of desecrating the Holy Quran, to justice as soon as possible and ensure exemplary punishment, so that no one in the future dares to commit such an audacious act again. At the same time, I call upon the people of the country to have faith in the law, not to be provoked, and not to take the law in their own hands. Rather, express your protest in a peaceful and lawful manner, so that Bangladesh’s long-standing tradition of religious harmony remains intact and respect for Allah’s commandments stays unshaken.”