DHAKA: Islami Andolon Bangladesh leaders on Friday demanded the capital punishment of Abdul Latif Siddique for his derogatory remarks against Prophet Mohammed (SM), hajj and Tabligh Jamaat.

The Islamic leaders voiced the demand in a grand rally staged at North Gate of Baitul Mukarram Mosque after Juma prayers.

Leaders, in their speeches, at the rally presided over by party Ameer Chormonai Pir Mufti Syed Mohammad Rezaul Karim, also demanded the enactment of blasphemy law provisioning capital punishment so that none could make any derogatory remarks about Prophet (SM) and Islam.

Chormonai Pir’s political Adviser Professor Ashraf Ali Akon, secretary general of the party Maulana Yunus Ahmed, joint-secretary general Professor Maulana Mahbubur Rahman, organizing secretary Maulana Fazlul Haque Mirdha, Dhaka city unit president Maulana ATM Hemayet Uddin and others also attended the rally.

Additional police forces along with armored vehicles and water canon were deployed in the area to avert any untoward situation.

Earlier, the party sought permission for holding a sssrally at Suhrawardy Udyan in stead of the National Press Club premises. But the administration refused giving approval to hold rally at the venue.

Later, the party staged their pre-scheduled rally at North Gate of Baitul Mukarram Mosque. 

Earlier on Thursday, the party threatened to call countrywide hartal for Sunday (December 7) if they don’t get permission to hold grand rally on Friday at Suhrawardy Udyan.

BDST: 1558 HRS, DEC 05, 2014