Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaykobad MP said he would make all-out efforts to implement a demand to declare the Qadiani community non-Muslim at the state level. The commitment appeared in a written statement for a National Ulama Mashayekh Conference organised Saturday by International Tahaffuz-e-Khatme Nabuwat Bangladesh. He could not attend in person because of illness, and the statement was read by the organisation's secretary general, Maulana Muhiuddin Rabbani.

The conference was organised around demands for a state declaration and the confiscation of all Qadiani publications. Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh chief Allama Muhibbullah Babunagari was the chief guest. The minister said he fully agreed with the belief concerning the finality of prophethood, describing it as an article of faith not only for religious scholars but for every monotheistic Muslim.

Kaykobad said he would pursue the demands raised at the conference both in his capacity at the Religious Affairs Ministry and personally. He described the current government as respectful of Islamic values and religious scholars, and said he hoped the demands would receive special consideration. In his written message, he also asked attendees to pray for his recovery.