Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh has sharply criticized the design of the newly issued 20 Taka currency note, which replaces the image of a mosque with that of a Hindu temple. The influential Islamic organization has labeled the move as a direct affront to the faith of the country’s Muslim majority and has demanded that the new note be withdrawn immediately.
In a press release issued to the media on the afternoon of Wednesday, June 4, Hefazat’s Amir Allama Muhibullah Babunagari and Secretary General Allama Sheikh Sajidur Rahman voiced their strong objection.
The statement began with Eid-ul-Adha greetings to all citizens of the country, including expatriate Muslims and the broader Muslim Ummah around the world. The Hefazat leaders emphasized that Eid-ul-Adha is a sacred occasion marked by devotion, sacrifice, and submission to the will of Allah.
“This great festival teaches us to rise above worldly temptations and ego, and to prioritize Allah’s satisfaction above all else,” the statement read. “It is a powerful reminder that the long-term prosperity of a nation lies in upholding justice, unity, and core religious values.”
Expressing deep concern, the two top Hefazat leaders condemned the recent actions of the interim government, which approved and circulated the redesigned 20 Taka note. The new version excludes the traditional image of a mosque and instead features a Hindu temple and a Buddhist monastery.
Read More: Humanitarian Corridor Talks: UN Firmly Denies Any Involvement Amid Ongoing Crisis
They argued that such a change disregards the religious sentiments of 92% of the country’s population, who identify as Muslim, and undermines the religious identity that the nation has upheld for generations.
“This decision is not just a matter of design; it reflects a serious insensitivity toward the faith and emotions of the overwhelming majority in our country,” they stated. “Replacing the mosque with images of other religious institutions is tantamount to ignoring the deeply rooted Islamic consciousness of our people.”
Hefazat-e-Islam has called on the government to reconsider the design and reinstate elements that reflect the Islamic heritage and beliefs of the majority. The organization insists that the current design threatens national unity and could trigger unnecessary religious tensions.
