Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh (Bengali: হেফাজতে ইসলাম বাংলাদেশ, lit. 'Protection of Islam, Bangladesh') is a right-wing Deobandi Islamist advocacy group based out of the network of Qawmi madrasas consisting mostly of religious teachers (Ulama) and students in Bangladesh. The group oppose secular governance and progressive gender reforms, relying on mass street mobilization rather than direct electoral politics to shift national policy. In 2013, they submitted a 13-point charter to the government of Bangladesh, which included the demand for the enactment of a blasphemy law, the segregation of genders, and the declaration of Ahmadiyyas as non-Muslims.
Hefazat-e-Islam was formed in 2010, as a pressure group comprising the teachers of several madrasas at Chittagong, Bangladesh. Shah Ahmad Shafi, the former director of Hathazari Madrasa, Allama Junaid Babunagari, and Mufti Izharul Islam, the chairman of the Islamist party Islami Oikya Jote, Abdul Malek Halim, founder and principal of the first women's Qawmi madrasah (Haildhar Madrasah) in Bangladesh are regarded as the founders of Hefazat-e-Islam. The formation was allegedly triggered by the 2009 "Women Development Policy" draft. On 24 February 2010, Hefazat wanted to hold a rally at Laldighi Maidan, Chittagong to protest the government's move to slap a ban on religion-based politics, cancellation of the fifth amendment to the Constitution of Bangladesh, and a proposed education policy that would have ended madrasah education. The police refused their request to hold a rally and injured 19 protesters. A few of these madrasa students were arrested by police and later released. In 2011, Hefazat-e-Islam protested some aspects of the proposed Women Development Policy. According to The Economist, Hefazat was financed by doctrinaire Islamists in Saudi Arabia.
In 2013, Hefazat-e-Islam was reformed after the allegation that some of the protesters in the Shahbag protests were involved in publishing of content offensive to Muslims on blogs, including the depiction of the Islamic prophet Muhammad as a pornographic character. They arranged a rally towards capital city Dhaka, demanding enaction of capital punishment of the "atheist bloggers" involved in the Shahbag movement and a blasphemy law. They included their demands in 13 points which included:
Restoration of the phrase: "Complete faith and trust in the Almighty Allah" in the constitution.
Passing a law in the parliament keeping a provision of the capital punishment of death sentence to prevent defaming Islam.
Taking measures for stringent punishment of self-declared atheists and bloggers, who led the Shahbagh movement, and anti-Islamists who made derogatory remarks against Muhammad, Also taking steps to stop the spread of "propaganda".
Stopping infiltration of all "alien-culture", including "shamelessness" in the name of individual's freedom of expression, anti-social activities, adultery, free mixing of males and females and candle lighting. Women must be encouraged to wear hijab and their overall security must be ensured. Stopping harassment of women, open fornication and adultery, sexual harassment, all forms of violence against women and an end to the tradition of dowry.
Making Islamic education mandatory from primary to higher secondary levels cancelling the women policy and anti-religion education policy.
Official declaration of Ahmadiyyas as non-Muslim.
Stopping erection of sculptures at intersections, schools, colleges and universities across the country.
Lifting restrictions on prayers for ulama in all mosques across the country, including Baitul Mukarram National Mosque.
Stopping Anti-Islamic content in media.
Halting anti-Islam activities by NGOs across the country, including in the Chittagong Hill Tracts; (Hefazat fears a "foreign conspiracy" to separate Chittagong Hill Tracts from Bangladesh and make it a Christian state)
Stopping attacks and extrajudicial killings of ulama.
Stopping harassment of teachers and students of qawmi madrassas and ulama.
Freedom for all arrested ulama and madrassa students and withdrawal of all cases filed against them, compensation for the victims, and bringing the assailants to justice.
On 6 April 2013, Hefazat-e-Islam organised a long march towards the Motijheel area in Dhaka from Chittagong, Sylhet and Rajshahi to push for their 13-point demand. This was dubbed by some in the media as the "Siege of Dhaka". Awami League leader Nowsher Khan died of head injuries during a clash between his party activists and those of Hefazat-e Islam at Bhanga in Faridpur district. Hefazat supporters also attacked at a rally of Ekatturer Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee in Dhaka from their procession, injuring several people including a policeman. Hefazat supporters also attacked and injured Afsar Ahmed, the pro-vice chancellor of Jahangirnagar University, and reportedly threatened journalists.
On 5 May 2013, Hefazat arranged a rally in Dhaka, in the demand of their 13 points. On 4 May 2013, Hefazat activists gathered at all six entrance routes to Dhaka; creating a blockade, from dawn on 5 May 2013. At noon, with the permission of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), activists entered Dhaka and started moving towards Baitul Mukarram National Mosque in order to attend a prayer service. However activists of Hefazat-e-Islam were attacked by the ruling Awami League activists at various places using lethal arms such as pistols and guns who were using the Gulistan Road to reach Shapla Square. In return, Hefazat activists threw bricks at them. During the clashes, two television journalists were injured, apparently by Hefazat protesters. At about 3:00 pm while Hefazat leaders were delivering speeches, the Secretary General of Awami League, Sayed Ashraful Islam, at a press conference, threatened them to leave Dhaka. On the other hand, the opposition party, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) asserted that Hefazat members had a democratic right to assemble and articulate their cause. Hefazat supporters reportedly set fire to book stores located beside the south gate of the Baitul Mukarram during their program, inadvertently burning copies of Qurans, and assaulting two reporters. However, reports of this event are disputed, and Hefazat denies burning any books. According to BNP leader MK Anwar, the Qurans were burned by Debashish, a leader of the ruling party Awami League's volunteer wing, the Swechchhasebak League. Hefazat also denies the violent incidents of vandalism and arson attributed to it.