Islamist groups threaten strike

Sammilito Islami Dalsamuho, an alliance of Islamic parties, has once again threatened to enforce a day-long hartal on October 26 if Abdul Latif Siddique is not arrested by October 22.
The alliance early this month gave the government a 15-day ultimatum for Latif's arrest, or it will go for the October 26 shutdown.
Yesterday's threat was issued at a press briefing at Dhaka Reporters' Unity.  
“If needed, arrest Latif with the help of Interpol,” Zafrullah Khan, secretary general of the alliance, said, adding that otherwise, they would enforce non-stop hartals and blockades after October 26.
Protest rallies and mass-campaigns would take place across the country from Friday to Tuesday against demeaning of Islam, added Zafrullah.

The members of the alliance include Khilafat Majlis, Khilaft-e-Islam, Islami Oikya Jote, Nejam-e-Islam, Muslim League and Hefajat-e Islam. Many of the alliance members are components of the BNP-led opposition combine.

Zafrullah is also the joint secretary general of Hefajat-e Islam.
Latif, former posts, telecommunications and information technology

minister, is under fire for the derogatory comments he made on hajj and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in New York on September 28.
Until yesterday, Latif, now in Kolkata, was facing 29 cases filed with different courts in several districts over the comments.

The Sheikh Hasina government is against Latif's stay in India and it has already communicated a message to New Delhi to this end, a highly placed source in the government told The Daily Star recently.
A Dhaka court on Wednesday issued an arrest warrant against him in a case filed for hurting Muslims' religious sentiments.
Latif was removed from the cabinet as well as the Awami League presidium on Sunday.
The AL has also issued a show-cause notice to him seeking explanation as to why he would not be expelled from the party for the remarks.