Dr Shafiqur Rahman, Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, fiercely addressed a crowd in Mirpur, criticising the ruling Awami League for allegedly using charges of militancy to stifle opposition.
Speaking as the chief guest at a meeting organized by the Jamaat-e-Islami Dhaka City North unit on Saturday, Dr Rahman described the current political climate as repressive and corrupt.
“The Awami League has transformed alleged militancy into a tool for political suppression,” Rahman stated. He was addressing attendees at the Grand Prince Restaurant, where key figures including Mohammad Selim Uddin, Ameer of Dhaka City North, and Mahfuzur Rahman, assistant secretary of the same unit, presided over the meeting. Other notable attendees included central executive council member Saiful Alam Khan and Nayeb-e-Ameer Gulam Mustafa.
Rahman accused the Awami League and its allies of turning Bangladesh into an "undeclared fascist state," beginning with violent actions in 2006 and continuing up to August 2024. He claimed that the ruling party, in collaboration with the emergency government, engaged in widespread corruption and violence, branding the regime as one marked by terror, extortion, and anarchy.
Despite these strong criticisms, Rahman emphasised Jamaat-e-Islami’s commitment to justice over revenge. He urged people to identify and hold accountable those responsible for corruption and violence but reassured that the party does not endorse revenge politics. “We are all Bangladeshis, united beyond religion, caste, or community. We must uphold communal harmony and distinguish between right and wrong,” he affirmed.
In his closing remarks, Rahman urged the new generation to prepare for future leadership roles, highlighting the importance of nurturing capable leaders for the country’s future. He praised the Jamaat-e-Islami’s ongoing efforts to establish a welfare state and called on supporters to adhere to the guidance provided by the party’s leadership.
