A roundtable discussion titled “Islam and Art-Literature-Culture” was held at Dhaka Reporters Unity on Saturday (30 August), where speakers argued that Islam does not oppose art or cultural practices and instead can complement them when pursued ethically.

The event was organised by the Central Cultural Department of Hezbut Tawheed and brought together writers, journalists, musicians, actors, university professors, lawyers, retired army officers, and other civil society representatives.

The session was chaired by Mahbub Alam Mahfuz, Dhaka divisional president of Hezbut Tawheed, and moderated by Media Communication Secretary Sharmin Sultana Chaiti.

Riadul Hasan, literary secretary of the organisation, presented the keynote paper.

“Religion can never be the opponent of art and culture; rather, they complement each other,” Hasan said.

He criticised extremist groups for labeling cultural practices as haram and inciting violence to enforce such views, noting that Islam prohibits unlawful attacks and killings.

Quoting from the Qur’an and Hadith, he said that only obscenity, disobedience, and shirk (associating partners with God) are forbidden.

Hasan added that during the Prophet Muhammad’s time, companions used musical instruments like the duff and tambour, and even sang work-songs during communal activities such as building the Mosque in Medina.

He argued that drawing, sculpture, theater, and film are not inherently prohibited in Islam as long as they do not promote falsehood or immorality.

On the contrary, cultural works that promote justice can be seen as acts of worship or even jihad, he said, citing examples of how music inspired Bangladesh’s 1971 Liberation War fighters and the student-led protests of 2024.

Rufayda Panni, joint secretary of Hezbut Tawheed, said that in the group’s proposed “Tawheed-based” governance model, ethical art, literature, and culture would be encouraged.

She highlighted the efforts of Mati Cultural Group, formed by the organisation’s cultural activists, in using songs, poetry, and plays to promote communal harmony.

Several other speakers, including the general secretary of Dhaka Reporters Unity and invited guests from diverse fields, also addressed the event.

Leaders and members of Hezbut Tawheed from different regions attended, including District President Md Akkas Ali, General Secretary Md Nizam Uddin, Joint General Secretary Tanvir Ahmed, Organisational Secretary Md Jaseb Uddin, and women’s affairs leaders Sultana Raziya, Jerin Saiyara, and Sharmin Khan.