Kishoreganj concert cancelled over organizer's lack of registration and religious group's opposition

Authorities in Kishoreganj, Bangladesh, have cancelled a concert by the popular band Ashes, which was scheduled to take place this evening at the Old Stadium. The decision came after a group identifying itself as Tawhidi Janata voiced strong opposition and concerns were raised about the event organizer's registration status.

“

After verification, we found that Alishan Restaurant has no registration. The application for permission from an unregistered organisation has therefore been treated as cancelled, and they have been instructed to obtain registration promptly.

Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Md Ishtiaque Imon confirmed the cancellation, stating that a group of Islamic scholars had approached him demanding the event be stopped. He also noted that the organizer, Alishan Restaurant, had applied for permission but was found to be unregistered. Consequently, the application was treated as cancelled, and the organizer was instructed to obtain proper registration.

Tawhidi Janata, represented by the Kishoreganj district unit of Hefazat-e-Islam, had submitted a memorandum to the deputy commissioner on Monday, describing the musical program as "contrary to Shariah" and warning of a potential "volatile situation." The group had also announced a protest rally and procession for today.

“

The memorandum described the planned musical programme as “contrary to Shariah” and warned that holding it could create a “volatile situation”.

Following the official cancellation of the concert, Mufti Abdur Rahim, organizational secretary of the Kishoreganj district unit of Hefazat-e-Islam, stated that their planned protest program had been suspended. He reiterated the group's stance, saying, "We will not allow any concert that is contrary to Shariah to be held."

“

We will not allow any concert that is contrary to Shariah to be held.