Islamist Groups Condemn Harari Book Gift to Quran Reciters, Issue Anti-LGBTIQ+ Statements

Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh

19 SEPTEMBER 2026 · JOINT STATEMENT

On 19 September, Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh Ameer Allama Shah Muhibbullah Babunagari and Secretary General Allama Shaykh Sajidur Rahman protested the presentation of Yuval Noah Harari’s book to the hafez in a joint statement sent to the media. They alleged that Harari’s thinking and writings conflict with Islamic belief, religious values and morality. They described the selection of his book at an event such as the state reception for the Quran competition-winning hafez as a blow to the religious sentiments of Muslims. In the statement, the two leaders set out a religious position against homosexuality, saying, “The Holy Quran has declared homosexuality a grave crime and a transgression.” They claimed that Harari’s thinking and the book’s content conflict with Islamic aqidah and akhlaq. Their statement presented the author’s gay identity and his stance on religious belief as reasons for opposing the selection of the book.

The Hefazat leaders asked whether the book had been included in the gift list, without the Prime Minister’s knowledge, because of negligence by responsible officials or some deliberate purpose. They demanded an investigation into the matter and disclosure of the roles of those concerned. At the same time, they called for Nexus to be withdrawn from the hafez and replaced with traditional Islamic books, and for a special vetting committee to be formed for selecting books at government and religious events in future. In the same joint statement, the Hefazat leaders also protested a separate remark by Law Minister Md. Asaduzzaman about the constitution and the Quran. They called on the Law Minister to clarify his position, withdraw the remark and repent. The statement also said that if any step were taken against religious belief and values, the organisation’s supporters would continue to protest.

National Ulama Alliance

19 SEPTEMBER 2026 · JOINT STATEMENT

On 19 September, National Ulama Alliance convener Maulana Ashraf Uddin Mahdi Azhari and member secretary Maulana Sanaullah Khan protested the incident of presenting Harari’s book to the hafez in a joint statement. Their statement particularly foregrounded the author’s openly gay identity. The organisation’s leaders described Nexus as a book about homosexuality and claimed that the presentation of such a book to the Quran competition-winning hafez should not be treated as an isolated incident. In the statement, they said, “How and through whom a book by an openly gay author reached the hafez must be examined.” They alleged that various kinds of propaganda, publications and cultural activities centred on LGBT issues and homosexuality have long been carried out in Bangladesh. In this context, they urged the authorities concerned to be more careful about what kinds of books and educational materials are given to madrasa and school students. The leaders of National Ulama Alliance, citing the Quranic account of the people of Lut regarding homosexuality, opposed publications that present homosexuality as normal or acceptable. Their statement presented Harari’s gay identity and the selection of the book as linked to LGBT-related propaganda and cultural activities in Bangladesh. Maulana Ashraf Uddin Mahdi Azhari and Maulana Sanaullah Khan alleged that there might be a plan to embarrass the Prime Minister through the selection of the book. They demanded an investigation into who selected the book, through what process it was approved and through whom it reached the hafez. They also called for the identification of those concerned and action against them if a deliberate purpose or administrative negligence lay behind the incident.

International Majlis-e-Tahaffuz-e-Khatme Nabuwwat Bangladesh

19 SEPTEMBER 2026 · STATEMENT

On 19 September, International Majlis-e-Tahaffuz-e-Khatme Nabuwwat Bangladesh Secretary General Maulana Muhiuddin Rabbani expressed anger and condemnation in a statement over the incident of presenting Nexus to the hafez. He opposed the selection by pointing to Harari’s religious belief, ethics and published position on homosexuality. In the statement, Maulana Muhiuddin Rabbani said, “The Holy Quran describes homosexuality as highly reprehensible and a transgression.” He alleged that various writings and remarks by Harari conflict with Islamic aqidah, religious belief and morality. In his view, a book by such an author should not have been selected as a gift at a state honour ceremony for Quran hafez. The organisation’s Secretary General demanded an investigation into the role of the relevant officials of the Prime Minister’s Office in selecting the book. In his remarks, the question was raised whether the author’s identity and published opinions had been properly reviewed before the book was selected. The organisation presented four demands to the government. These included an investigation into the role of the officials who selected the book, withdrawal of the distributed books and their replacement with traditional Islamic books, introduction of a special vetting system for selecting gifts and publications at government religious events in future, and consideration of the country’s religious values and public sentiment at state events.

Islami Andolan Bangladesh

19 SEPTEMBER 2026 · KHULNA DIVISIONAL GRASSROOTS REPRESENTATIVES’ MEETING

At a divisional grassroots representatives’ meeting of Islami Andolan Bangladesh held in Khulna on 19 September, the party’s Naib-e-Ameer Maulana Abdul Awal opposed the presentation of Nexus to the hafez. He alleged that the author of the book is openly gay and that Islam is presented in a distorted manner in his writing. He also claimed that the book presents homosexuality as normal. In his remarks, Maulana Abdul Awal said, “In this book called Nexus, Islam has been presented in a distorted manner and homosexuality has been presented as normal.” He described the incident as shameful for the nation and presented the decision to select the book as a mistake by the government. He claimed that even if the incident was unintentional, the government must formally admit the mistake. His remarks presented the author’s gay identity and the book’s alleged support for homosexuality as the main reasons for opposing the selection.

Bangladesh Khelafat Andolan

19 SEPTEMBER 2026 · CENTRAL MAJLIS-E-AMELA MEETING

On 19 September, a meeting of the central Majlis-e-Amela of Bangladesh Khelafat Andolan opposed the decision to present the Nexus book to the hafez. At the meeting, chaired by party Ameer Maulana Habibullah Miazi, the leaders alleged that a group inside the government was deliberately trying to use the government to carry out anti-Islamic activities. The organisation’s leaders criticised the government by citing together the passage of a bill on property transfer in parliament, the Law Minister’s remarks about the Quran and the constitution, and the presentation of Harari’s book to the hafez. Their statement described Nexus as “a book that encourages homosexuality.” In his presidential remarks, Maulana Habibullah Miazi alleged that some people around the Prime Minister were trying to damage his image. He cited the presentation of Harari’s book to the hafez as an example of that allegation. His remarks gave prominence to the role of those involved in selecting the book and to the alleged anti-Islamic activity inside the government.

Jatiya Tafsir Parishad Bangladesh

19 SEPTEMBER 2026 · JOINT STATEMENT

On 19 September, several leaders of Jatiya Tafsir Parishad Bangladesh, including chairman Maulana Ahmad Abdul Qayyum, Secretary General Hafez Maulana Maksudur Rahman and Joint Secretary General Mufti Baki Billah, protested the presentation of Harari’s book to the hafez in a joint statement. Their statement used the language of religious curse against gay people and those who take a position in favour of homosexuality. The organisation’s leaders described gay people and promoters of homosexuality as ‘cursed’. They alleged that homosexuality was promoted by presenting Harari’s book at the reception for the Quran competition-winning hafez. In the statement, they asked, “Has the Prime Minister then promoted homosexuality?” The leaders further alleged that if there was any plan to promote homosexuality in the name of LGBT, religious communities might take to the streets in protest. They also warned that such a situation would not be pleasant for the government.

Islami Oikya Jote

STATEMENT

Islami Oikya Jote chairman Advocate Maulana Abdur Rakib protested the presentation of Harari’s book to the hafez. He is also known as a central adviser to Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh and as president of Bangladesh Nezam-e-Islam Party. In his remarks, Maulana Abdur Rakib set out a religious position against homosexuality and cited Harari’s gay identity as a reason for opposing the book’s selection. He alleged that there might be a deliberate purpose behind handing a gay author’s book to hafez students studying in madrasas. He also alleged that it needed to be examined whether an attempt had been made, through the selection of the book, to damage the image of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. He demanded that those involved in the incident be identified and given exemplary punishment.

Islamic Buddhijibi Front

STATEMENT

Islamic Buddhijibi Front chairman Shahsufi Engineer Syed Abdul Hannan Al Hadi protested the presentation of Harari’s book to the hafez. He alleged that an attempt had been made to promote gay people through a state reception. In his remarks, he demanded the identification of who or whom had supplied the book to the Prime Minister. He alleged that homosexuality had been promoted by presenting a gay author’s book at the hafez honour ceremony and that such activities are unacceptable. Shahsufi Engineer Syed Abdul Hannan Al Hadi demanded that the footage of the ceremony be examined, that those connected with supplying the book be identified, and that strict punitive action be taken against them.

International Aqida Khatme Nabuwwat Bangladesh

19 SEPTEMBER 2026 · STATEMENT

On 19 September, International Aqida Khatme Nabuwwat Bangladesh Ameer and Bangladesh Nezam-e-Islam Party central leader Maulana Saiful Islam Faridi condemned and protested the presentation of Harari’s book to the hafez. He cited the author’s gay identity and his published views on religion, God and religious belief as reasons for objection. His statement described presenting a book by such an author to the Quran competition-winning hafez as undesirable. Maulana Saiful Islam Faridi described the incident as an indication of a deep conspiracy and alleged that there might be a deliberate purpose behind handing a gay author’s book to the hafez. His remarks also raised the question whether an attempt had been made to embarrass the Prime Minister through the selection of the book. He demanded the identification of those involved in selecting the book, an investigation into their roles, and legal action against those concerned.

Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam Bangladesh

19 SEPTEMBER 2026 (EVENING) · DHAKA METROPOLITAN SOUTH

On the evening of 19 September, leaders of Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam Bangladesh, Dhaka Metropolitan South, protested the presentation of the Nexus book to the hafez. At a discussion held at the organisation’s central office after the Maghrib prayer, the leaders criticised the decision to select the book at a state reception. They alleged that presenting the Quran competition-winning hafez with the book of an author who has expressed controversial opinions about religious belief was undesirable. Their statement alleged that the religious nature of the event and the beliefs of the hafez were not taken into account in selecting the book. The organisation’s leaders further claimed that selecting such a book raised questions about the purpose and religious atmosphere of the event. Questioning the rationale for selecting Nexus for the hafez’s state reception, they called on the authorities concerned to be careful about selecting gifts for such events in future. Their protest gave prominence to Harari’s religious outlook and to the compatibility of his book with a state honour ceremony.

Bangladesh Nezam-e-Islam Party

19 SEPTEMBER 2026 · JOINT STATEMENT

On 19 September, Bangladesh Nezam-e-Islam Party acting Ameer Maulana Abdul Qayyum Subhani and Secretary General Maulana Musa bin Izhar expressed concern and protest in a joint statement over the presentation of the Nexus book to the hafez. They said that the hafez who won the international Quran competition represent Bangladesh’s religious heritage and values. They described the selection of Harari’s book at their state reception as undesirable. In the statement, the leaders said it was not their intention to create controversy over any author’s personal life or identity. However, they asked why a book had been presented by an author whose published views on religion, God and human civilisation have drawn objections in religious circles, instead of a book consistent with the hafez’s faith and education. Maulana Abdul Qayyum Subhani and Maulana Musa bin Izhar asked why Nexus had been selected instead of a Quran translation, tafsir, hadith, sirah or books on Islamic knowledge and ethics. They demanded disclosure of the book selection process, the roles of those involved and on whose advice the book was included in the gift list. They also called for caution in selecting gifts for such state events in future and for ensuring a responsible role for the officials concerned.

Bangladesh Jamiatul Modarresin

20 SEPTEMBER 2026 · JOINT STATEMENT

On 20 September, Bangladesh Jamiatul Modarresin president Alhaj A M M Bahauddin and Secretary General Principal Shabbir Ahmad Momtazi protested in a joint statement the presentation of Israeli historian Yuval Noah Harari’s Nexus book to the Bangladeshi hafez who won the international Quran competition. The organisation’s leaders alleged that handing the Quran hafez a book by an author who presents homosexuality as normal or acceptable cannot be considered an ordinary mistake. Their statement presented Harari’s gay identity and his published opinions as reasons for opposing the selection. They claimed that such a decision raises questions about the government’s position on religious values and that the roles of those concerned around the Prime Minister need to be examined. In the same statement, the organisation’s leaders also opposed the Transfer of Property (Amendment) Act, 2026, passed in parliament. They urged the Prime Minister to be careful about these matters and demanded a review of the activities of those involved in such decisions inside the government.