BanglaPress Desk: The administration has denied permission for a *Tafsir Mahfil* (Islamic discourse gathering) in Godagari, Rajshahi, which was set to feature Mufti Amir Hamza. The event was scheduled to take place on the grounds of Godagari Women’s College, starting tomorrow, Monday afternoon. Ismail Haque, president of the organizing body 'Manab Kalyan Parishad' (Human Welfare Council), confirmed this on Sunday.
According to local sources and the organizing committee, the *Tafsirul Quran Mahfil* was initiated by the Manab Kalyan Parishad. The event was to be presided over by Abu Muhammad Bazlur Rahman Madani, principal of the Railbazar Darus Sunnah Islamia Hafizia Madrasa. Professor Mujibur Rahman—a Member of Parliament for the Rajshahi-1 (Godagari-Tanore) constituency and a central *Naib-e-Amir* (deputy leader) of Jamaat-e-Islami—was announced as the chief guest, while local Jamaat leader Obaidullah was also invited. Mufti Amir Hamza was listed on banners and posters as the keynote speaker, and he had previously agreed to attend.
The organizers stated that they had submitted applications for permission to the Godagari Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) and the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of the local police station last Tuesday. When the organizers met with the UNO on Saturday morning to follow up, the request was declined because a police report—required for the approval process—had not yet been received. The UNO informed the organizers that the Upazila administration could not grant permission without such a report.
Ismail Haque, president of the Manab Kalyan Parishad, said, "When we met with the UNO yesterday morning, he explained that the police had been asked to provide a security assessment for the event. He stated that permission could not be granted without this police report. Given the situation, we have concluded that the administration will not grant permission for our *Mahfil*. Consequently, we have contacted the invited guests to apologize." ‘We have dismantled the *pandal* (temporary marquee).’
Regarding this, UNO Israt Jahan stated, ‘There is no provision to grant permission for gatherings involving large crowds without police clearance. We have requested a police report; it is not possible to comment further until that report is received.’
Meanwhile, when asked about the police’s stance regarding the *tafsir mahfil* (Islamic discourse gathering) featuring Mufti Amir Hamza, Rajshahi Superintendent of Police (SP) Md. Mamun-or-Rashid said, ‘I am not aware of this matter. If the Upazila or District administration has requested a report from the police, appropriate action will be taken accordingly.’
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