Islamist groups staged a large-scale demonstration in Dhaka on Friday (21 March), demanding accountability for Israel’s military actions in Palestine.
The protest, led by Khilafat Majlis Dhaka Metropolitan South and Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh, commenced after Friday prayers at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque.
Immediately following the conclusion of the prayer, leaders of the Khilafat Majlis began chanting "Allahu Akbar" before leading a procession towards Paltan intersection.
Protesters voiced strong slogans condemning Israeli actions and demanding international intervention.
Simultaneously, Hefazat-e-Islam’s Dhaka Metropolitan unit organised a pre-march gathering on the northern side of the mosque.
Protesters held placards and chanted slogans in solidarity with Palestinians suffering under Israeli airstrikes.
In anticipation of the protest, a strong contingent of security forces had already been deployed around the Baitul Mukarram Mosque area.
Additionally, a large number of plainclothes officers and members of the Metropolitan Detective Branch (DB) were seen wearing tactical vests, closely monitoring the crowd.
As per earlier announcements, Hefazat-e-Islam and Khilafat Majlis had called for mass mobilisation following Friday prayers.
Reports also suggested that members of Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing, Islami Chhatra Shibir, were present in the mosque’s vicinity, further intensifying the security response.
With Bangladesh witnessing increasing demonstrations linked to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and concerns over Muslim rights in India, law enforcement agencies remain on high alert to prevent any escalation of tensions.
Authorities continue to closely monitor developments as protests persist across the city.
