Enayetullah Abbasi Threatens to Beat Journalists, Earlier Praised Mob Killing

Islamic speaker and Joinpur Darbar Sharif pir Dr Syed Muhammad Enayet Ullah Abbasi threatened on October 19 to have journalists “beaten like dogs” following media coverage of former Liberation War Affairs State Minister Ishraq Hossain conducting an anti-drug drive with a firearm.

Abbasi had earlier welcomed the mob killing of Wahiduzzaman Shamim in Satkhira over allegations of insulting religion, saying “Alhamdulillah”. He also demanded unconditional release for Fazlul Haque Amini, the prime accused in the murder case. On previous occasions, Abbasi has spoken of beheading people who insult Allah and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), or personally carrying out punishment against them. The Discent reported these developments.

Abbasi praises accused in Satkhira mob killing and demands his release

On October 13, a man named Wahiduzzaman Shamim was beaten to death in two separate attacks in Debhata, Satkhira, after being accused of insulting religion. Shamim’s family said he had been suffering from mental health problems for a long time.

Before the killing, a man named Fazlul Haque Amini went live on Facebook on the same day, alleging religious insult and urging people to gather. Playing a recording, he said Shamim had “no right to live”. In a subsequent livestream from outside a doctor’s chamber, Amini disclosed Shamim’s location. Shamim was then dragged out of the chamber and a hospital ward while receiving treatment and severely beaten by a mob.

Shamim later died at Satkhira Medical College Hospital. After his brother filed a case, police arrested Fazlul Haque Amini, the prime accused, and sent him to jail through the court.

Following the killing, a video published by a Facebook account named “Musanna Al Faiyaz” captured Dr Enayet Ullah Abbasi praising the attack.

“An ill-mannered, treacherous person in Debhata, Satkhira, spoke against the exalted status of Allah’s beloved, the Nur Nabi Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam, and against Islam. The local people beat him collectively and sent him to hell. Say, Alhamdulillah,” Abbasi said in the video.

Alongside praising the killing, Abbasi described Amini, the prime accused, as a “brave mujahid” and demanded his unconditional release.

“Rather, we would say that the brave mujahid, the person who made this decision and led it, should be acquitted,” he said.

Expressing distrust in the country’s existing legal system, Abbasi further said, “In Bangladesh, there is no existing law to resist those who become apostates, atheists, or blasphemers, or who show disrespect to Allah and His beloved Prophet. That is why they are arrested and then released on bail. The devout Muslim public and people of faith have no other option but to take the law into their own hands.”

Abbasi threatens to beat journalists

Abbasi also expressed anger at journalists after media outlets reported on a former state minister conducting an anti-drug drive while carrying a firearm.

On October 17, Ishraq Hossain, a member of parliament for Dhaka-6 and former state minister for Liberation War Affairs, took part in an anti-drug operation in Gandaria while holding a pistol. The incident drew widespread criticism across the country, and he resigned on October 19.

On October 20, a video published on the “Abbasi Monjil Joinpur” Facebook page showed Abbasi expressing anger towards journalists following Ishraq’s resignation. Although he acknowledged that Ishraq’s method of conducting the operation with a raised pistol was wrong, Abbasi threatened violence against journalists for reporting on the incident.

“I feel very sad about the Ishraq issue. Of course, raising a pistol was the wrong method. The intention was noble. The worst are the journalists of Bangladesh. Right? These people should be beaten like dogs,” he said.

Accusing journalists of pursuing the agendas of foreign intelligence agencies, Abbasi said, “These journalists are dangerous. They practise yellow journalism. They are paid by foreign intelligence branches. They do not want Bangladesh to prosper. Those who engage in this kind of yellow journalism must be shown the red card.”

After the video of his threat circulated and drew criticism, Abbasi defended his remarks on October 21.

“I did not abuse all journalists. I abused those among journalists who practise yellow journalism. I opposed those who take money to turn a hero into a zero and a zero into a hero. Their news changes when they receive money. They destroy the character of good people and, in exchange for money, publish favourable reports about people without character. If I abused such journalists, was I wrong?” he said.

Abbasi also claimed that negative media coverage had forced Ishraq to resign from his ministerial post.

“If journalists had covered him positively, perhaps he would not have had to resign. But because of negative coverage, he lost his position while conducting an anti-drug operation. That is why I believe journalists are primarily responsible,” he added.

Abbasi previously spoke of beheading people

On February 21, 2025, Abbasi addressed a rally at the north gate of Baitul Mukarram and spoke of beheading people who insult Allah and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

The following day, a report by Rajneeti.com quoted him as saying, “No more processions. This time, we will personally carry out the death penalty for apostates in Sharia courts. Those who disrespect Allah and His beloved Prophet (PBUH), if atheists consider that freedom of speech, then beheading them will be our freedom.”

Following those remarks, a statement signed by 223 prominent citizens on March 10, 2025, demanded Abbasi’s prosecution over alleged public incitement to murder.

The signatories alleged that Abbasi had claimed the right to kill people himself in the name of punishing blasphemy and apostasy.