Information Adviser Mahfuj Alam has said that although many people have refrained from engaging in conflict out of respect for Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus, there remains a sort of eagerness for confrontation across the country.

Speaking at a national dialogue titled “Shrine Culture – Violence, Crisis and Future Reflections” in Dhaka on Saturday, Mahfuj Alam observed that while the Chief Adviser’s presence has helped maintain restraint, underlying tensions persist.

Because of the Chief Adviser, many are not getting involved in conflict. But everyone seems to be waiting for it. When a government changes, even mosque imams and the chairman of the Islamic Foundation are replaced,” he said.

The Information Adviser noted that past political leaders had failed to work towards unity among Muslims. “Everyone has used religion for their own ends — some used the Sunnis, others the Qawmis. Many wanted to bring Islam into state power, yet they have never studied the history of Islam in this region,” he remarked.

Explaining the political dynamics surrounding religion, Mahfuj Alam said the Awami League’s connection with Sufism was formed as a way of self-preservation. “That is where religious politics became confined. The same thing happened within Qawmi politics,” he added.

He said several individuals had been arrested following the recent attacks on shrines, and directives had been issued to restore the damaged religious sites.