Delwar Hossain Sayeedi, a renowned Islamic preacher and influential political figure in Bangladesh passed away on Monday August 14, 2023 marking the end of an era since he was widely acknowledged as the foremost Islamic preacher in the history of Bangladesh in the Bengali language.
The 82-year-old’s death has raised suspicions due to allegations of inadequate medical care and potential poisoning during his imprisonment for almost 10 years, and the prompt burial of his body under police guard by the Bangladesh authorities.
Upon news of Sayeedi’s passing, a large number of mourners congregated in Dhaka, wanting to participate in his funeral. However, authorities responded with excessive force, employing armoured vehicles, sound grenades, and live ammunition to transport his dead body to his rural hometown of Pirojpur.
The hasty burial activities in the distant rural area even prevented his son from reaching the village to lead the funeral prayer. More than a week has passed, but the grave is still surrounded and guarded by police, preventing anyone from visiting it for prayers.
Delwar Hossain Sayeedi departed this world after a decade of imprisonment in Bangladesh, a predominantly Muslim nation, yet left behind unresolved inquiries regarding the future of millions of Muslims within a nation governed by a regime that many perceive to be Islamophobic in the post-global ‘war-on-terror’ era.
Sayeedi was a significant senior leader in the Bangladesh Jama’at-e-Islami party. Over the last 14 years, the ruling Bangladeshi Awami League government has executed all of the senior leaders of this party, alleging their involvement in crimes against humanity committed during the 1971 civil war – a conflict that led to Bangladesh’s separation from Pakistan with the aid of India.
During this bloody war, Jama’at took the official position of supporting the unity of Pakistan. Among these cases tried by the so-called “International Crimes Tribunal,” Sayeedi’s trial was particularly contentious.
During his trial, leaked phone conversations between a judge and a pro-Awami League legal expert living abroad surfaced, revealing attempts to manipulate legal avenues to ensure Sayeedi’s execution.
In another twist, one of the prosecution witnesses, Sukharanjan Bali, a Hindu individual, retracted his testimony, absolving Sayeedi of responsibility for his elder brother’s death in 1971. Bali’s reversal led to his sudden abduction from the courtroom, followed by enforced disappearance. He resurfaced later in an Indian prison, facing allegations of trespassing, and spent over five years in custody.
On 28 February 2023, the tribunal initially sentenced Sayeedi to death by hanging, aligning with similar sentences handed down to other leaders of Jama’at-e-Islami. This verdict incited nationwide protests and met with harsh police retaliation.
Though the precise death toll remains uncertain due to media censorship, estimates suggest it exceeded 200 lives in numerous cities and rural areas. This public outcry compelled the Supreme Court to revise the verdict, commuting the death sentence to life imprisonment.
His life’s narrative was defined by his unwavering commitment to preaching Islam both in East Pakistan and later in independent Bangladesh. He was a charismatic speaker who inspired millions to embrace Islamic values in their daily lives.
Joining Jama’at-e-Islami in 1979, he even secured two terms as a national parliament member, a remarkable feat given that his electoral district consisted primarily of Hindu voters.
His reputation was rooted in his humanitarian endeavours, extending support to people regardless of their religious or political affiliations.
Comments