Bangladesh bans funeral prayers for 'accused' war criminals

Dhaka: Bangladesh has banned namaaz e janaza or prayers before funerals for the 1971 war criminals in capital Dhaka, the country's Liberation War Affairs Minister Muzammel Hoque confirmed, according to media reports Wednesday.

Questioning the merit in holding namaaz e janaza for war criminals, Hoque argued Tuesday that such funeral prayers were hardly held for any of the freedom fighters who had sacrificed their lives in the 1971 War of Independence, bdnews24.com reported.

Speaking at the "Bijoy Mela" - a victory fair, celebrating Bangladesh's independence - at Chandpur in Bangladesh, the minister said: "Many freedom fighters (had) sacrificed their lives during the war of independence. No namaaz e janaza were held even for one percent of them."

"Animals ate their decomposing corpses. That's why no more namaaz e janazas of war criminals will be allowed in Dhaka after their execution," Hoque clarified.

The minister also scoffed at efforts to raise the questions of humanity and religion for defending the war criminals.

"Today matters such as humanity and religion are (being) brought up (in the war criminals' defence). Why didn't our fellow Muslims get their janazas in 1971?” Hoque asked.

“Let that question be answered first. Then we'll consider their (appeal),” the minister said.