Anti-Ahmadiya elements under the banner of the International Khatme Nabuwat Movement Friday gave a warning that they would capture the “disputed Ahmadiya mosque” if the government failed to declare them “non-Muslim” in the current session of the parliament.

   They said they would drive the Ahmadiyas out of the country through a series programmes if the government failed concede to their demand by the deadline.

   They blocked the Tongi Diversion Road and held a rally at the Nabisco crossing after the juma prayers in presence of the police and other security forces. Traffic movement on the road remained snapped for about two hours.

   More than 1,000 policemen were deployed at the crossing, GMG Lane, Volvo Lane and Tabani Lane and several platoons of Bangladesh Rifles personnel were on the alert at the Tejgaon police station for probable violence.

   At a gathering near the Ahmadiya mosque at Tejgaon, the Khatme Nabuwat leaders demanded that the government should address the issue in consultation with the Islamic leaders in the parliament during the current session.

   The scheduled demonstrations at the place were peaceful because of a heavy presence of law enforcers.

   The agitators failed to capture the mosque on Haji Maran Ali Road at Purba Nakhalpara because of tight security measures of the police and resistance put up by local residents.

   Despite the presence of the police and Bangladesh Rifles personnel, tension kept mounting as the agitators began to gather in front the Nabisco Biscuit Factory at noon.

   The police cordoned off the whole area as the agitators began to assemble there after the juma prayers.

   The police blocked all the roads leading to the mosque. They also stopped traffic movement on the Tongi Diversion Road between Moghbazar to the Mohakhali crossing.

   Khatib of the Rahim Metal mosque, Mahamudul Hasan Momotazi, also president of the anti-Ahmadiya coordination committee, began moving towards the Ahmadiya mosque in a truck with several PA systems after the juma prayers.

   The committee leaders termed the Ahmadiyas “disbelievers” for their anti-Islamic belief and activities.

   Maulana Noor Hossain Noorani said the government must declare the Ahmadiyas non-Muslims as they were tarnishing the image of Islam and the Muslims.

   Khatme Nabuwat amir Mahamudul Hasan Momotazi put forth five demands —declaration of the Ahmadiyas non-Muslims in the current Jatiya Sangsad session, punishment for German professor Hans Kippenberg for his remark, non-interference of ambassadors in internal affairs, solidarity on the part of the government with the anti-Ahmadiya movement and punishment for the civil society members for expressing solidarity with the Ahmadiyas.