Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh has criticized the decision of Culture Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury to introduce music education in primary and secondary schools, saying it would undermine the religious freedom of Muslim students. In a statement issued on Thursday, the group’s Amir Allama Muhibullah Babunagari and Secretary General Allama Sajedur Rahman said that since musical instruments are not permitted in Islam, mandatory music lessons would be a religious issue for devout Muslim parents.

The leaders argued that just as it would be unreasonable to require all students to learn animal sacrifice regardless of faith, it is also inappropriate to impose music education on everyone. They urged the minister to withdraw what they called an anti-public decision to avoid public discontent. Hefazat leaders added that specialized institutions already exist for music education, and parents who wish to teach music to their children can do so privately.

They reiterated their long-standing demand for appointing religious teachers in primary schools, saying this would ensure the religious freedom of students of all faiths and help build morally upright citizens.