Dhaka, April 10 -- Mufti Syed Muhammad Faizul Karim, senior nayeb-e-amir of Islami Andolan, has called for the exclusion of the traditional 'Mongol Shobhajatra' procession from Bengali New Year festivities.

Speaking at a meeting with party leaders at Islami Andolan's office on Wednesday, Faizul criticised the procession.

"On the day of the New Year, people can organise several events in a manner supported by decency, history and tradition," Faizul said, according to a press release issued by the party.

"But if you believe or think that a procession on that day will bring 'Mongol,' it will clearly lead to sin. Therefore, nothing called 'Mongol Shobhajatra' should be done. The word and concept of 'Mongol' must be dropped."

The remarks c...