International Union of Muslim Scholars (IUMS) President Sheikh Professor Dr. Yusuf Al-Qaradawi and Secretary General Sheikh Professor Dr. Ali al-Qaradaghi have expressed deep condolence on the demise of Professor Ghulam Azam. On Friday, 24 October, in his pre-janazah speech, Sheikh Qaradawi described Professor Ghulam Azam as the most prominent Islamic leader and scholar of Bangladesh and a pioneer scholar and leader of global Islamic movement. He stated that Professor Ghulam Azam had dedicated all his life for the cause of Islam. He condemned the Bangladesh government’s trial of Professor Ghulam Azam as a war criminal and 90-year sentence imposed on him at this old age that resulted in his death in prison. He stressed that Professor Ghulam Azam has committed no crime. His only offence was that as the Ameer of Jamaat e Islami, he had always called people to Islam and exerted all his efforts to establish Islam.
Earlier, the Secretary General of IUMS Professor Dr. Ali Qaradaghi in his jum’a khutba in the same masjid expressed deep condolence on the death of Professor Ghulam Azam while incarcerated in his nineties. He also condemned the current Bangladesh government’s torture and repression of this veteran Muslim leader and scholar and his other colleagues on the false allegation of war crimes.
Acting Amir of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Maqbul Ahmed and Acting Secretary General Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, in a joint statement on 24 October, expressed deep shock and condolence over the death of former Amir of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Professor Ghulam Azam.
“His death is really painful as he died under the custody of the oppressor government and became totally deprived from due medical treatment and touch of the family members even in the last stage of his life. The people of Bangladesh and the Muslims around the world are in deep mourn at his death.
“Professor Ghulam Azam is a high profile figure in the politics of Bangladesh. In the historic language movement of 1952, during the mass upsurge of 1969, in the anti-autocratic movement of 1990 and finally by outlining the concept of caretaker government formula, he has played a pivotal role in the political history of this nation,” the statement said.
Maulana Syed Jalaluddin Omari, Amir Jamaat-e-Islami Hind has expressed deep sorrow at the sad demise of Professor Ghulam Azam, renowned figure of Islamic movement and former Amir of Bangladesh Jamaat Islami, in the judicial custody of Bangladesh government of Sheikh Hasina Wazed. Maulana Omari said the 92-year-old Islamic leader will be remembered for his clean and sterling character and great services. “The history will not forget the injustice and violation of human rights done with him by the government and judiciary of his country,” Maulana Omari said in a statement on 24 October.
The JIH leader said the Bangladesh government, while executing the unholy designs of anti-Islam global forces, imposed baseless charges on the 92-year-old Islamic leader, which has perhaps no parallel in history. The elderly personality was sentenced with 90 years in jail for the crimes he had not committed and in fact a person with good character and Islamic thinking like him cannot even imagine to do.
He further said Prof Azam rendered continuous services to Islam in East Pakistan and then in Bangladesh despite all trials and tribulations. He strived for strengthening the relations of Millat and its new generation with Islam on strong bases. His noble deeds have been preserved in golden letters in history. Insha Allah, he will get best rewards from Allah and those who persecuted him for raising the flag of Islam in his own country will not escape from the wrath of Allah.
The JIH leader also prayed for the maghfirah and highest places in Jannah for Prof Ghulam Azam and patience for his family members, friends and members of the Islamic movement.
“Professor Ghulam Azam spent all his life in dissemination of Islam and embraced martyrdom, and his services can never be forgotten”, said the Amir of Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan, Sirajul Haq.
The Islamic Circle of North America, a leading American Muslim organisation, expressed sadness at “the loss of Professor Ghulam Azam of Bangladesh, one of the foremost Muslim activists in the world.
“Azam was a prominent political and religious leader in Bangladesh and played a crucial role in various socio-political and religious movements throughout the years….
“In the recent War Crimes Tribunal set up by the Awami League government, Azam was arrested for alleged crimes against humanity during the 1971 war. The Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International issued statements against the tribunal because of its failure to adhere to international standards and due process of law.
“Azam lived the last several years of his life retired from active political activity. He wrote a memoir, Jibone Ja Dekhlam, What I Witnessed in Life, and served as an adviser to Islamic thinkers and politicians within his homeland. His loss will be felt not only within Bangladesh, but also within the global Muslim community.”