On Tuesday (28 October), a Rajshahi University professor conducted his class dressed in traditional Arab attire and holding the Holy Qur’an to express his views on religious freedom in response to a recent controversy surrounding remarks about the hijab.
Professor Dr Md Moniruzzaman, who took the class at 11 a.m., stated, “Every individual is free to dress according to their religion. If someone is Hindu and wishes to wear a dhoti to class, I hold no resentment or prejudice against that. As a Muslim, I have the same right to attend class wearing Islamic dress and carrying my holy book. This is a matter of personal and religious freedom.”
He further added, “Teachers are regarded as the conscience of society. It is unacceptable for a teacher to act in such a way. Not only in Bangladesh but in any educational institution around the world, no teacher is permitted to bring alcohol into the classroom.”
Earlier, on Monday (27 October), a Facebook post by Professor Abdullah Al Mamun went viral. The post, which included an image from a female students’ hall council oath-taking ceremony, read: “I endorse this personal freedom. Tomorrow, I too will attend class dressed in similar personal freedom—wearing a two-quarter and holding a bottle of liquor. After all, liquor is not a drug! I even have a licence to drink! Shibir, you may come; journalists, you may come too!”
Following the post, widespread outrage erupted both on social media and on campus. Students staged protests late Monday night and throughout Tuesday, demanding a public apology from the professor for what they described as “derogatory” comments about the hijab.
In response to mounting criticism, Professor Abdullah Al Mamun later expressed regret over his remarks in a Facebook post, stating that he did not intend to insult anyone or mock any religious practice.