Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has stated that extortionists and looters must not be brought back to power. "We want to give this government a reasonable amount of time to carry out necessary reforms. We do not want to rush into power ourselves, nor do we want anyone else to rush into power." He further emphasized, "We aspire to build a humane state where people of all religions can live together in harmony based on their merit. Our struggle is not over yet. Our fight and movement will continue until tyranny and corruption are eradicated."

Dr. Shafiqur Rahman made these remarks as the chief guest at a massive worker gathering at the Joypurhat Circuit House ground on the afternoon of Thursday, January 30. The event was organized by the Joypurhat district Jamaat-e-Islami. The gathering was presided over by Joypurhat district Jamaat Ameer Dr. Fazlur Rahman and hosted by district secretary Golam Kibria Mondal.

Special guests included Assistant Secretary General and Bogura Regional coordinator Maulana Rafiqul Islam Khan, Bogura Regional Team Members Professor Maulana Abdur Rahim and Professor Md. Nazrul Islam, Bogura City Jamaat Ameer Md. Abidur Rahman Sohel, Bogura District Ameer Principal Maulana Abdul Haq, Sirajganj District Ameer Shahinur Alam, and Dinajpur District Jamaat Secretary Dr. Enamul Haque.

Other speakers included Joypurhat district Jamaat Assistant Secretary Md. Hasibul Alam, Advocate Md. Mamunur Rashid, SM Rashedul Alam Sabu, former Panchbibi Upazila Chairman and Adarsha Shikhok Parishad District President Professor Md. Mostafizur Rahman, District Ulama Division President Maulana Mahmudul Hasan, municipality Ameer Maulana Anwar Hossain, Sadar Ameer Maulana Imran Hossain, Panchbibi Upazila Ameer Dr. Md. Sujaul Islam, Kalai Upazila Ameer Monsur Rahman, Akkelpur Upazila Ameer Maulana Shafiul Hasan Dipu, Sramik Kollan Federation General Secretary Advocate Aslam Hossain, Jamaat leaders Ferdous Hossain, Engineer Abdul Baten, Shibir District President Jewel Hossain, former Chhatrashibir District President Abdul Khaleq, and Hindu leader Tapas Kumar Mondal.

At the beginning of his speech, the Jamaat Ameer expressed gratitude to Allah for his release from captivity, saying, "Millions of thanks to Allah. After being imprisoned for 15 and a half years, Allah has granted me freedom. So I say, Alhamdulillah. I am also grateful that I can now speak freely before you."

Addressing the people of Joypurhat, he said, "Bangladesh is our beloved country. We love our country and every grain of its soil. We love all people, regardless of political beliefs, race, or religion. Allah has created us as the best of creations. For generations, we have been living in this beloved land, transcending differences in opinion. It is our collective aspiration to live together peacefully. However, at times, there have been exceptions to this, and those incidents were inhumane, unjust, and undesirable."

He added, "It has been 54 years since our independence. A nation had sufficient time to establish itself as a dignified entity on the world stage. If someone says that nothing good has happened after independence, I will not agree. Many things have happened. However, if corruption and misrule had not existed, our country could have stood tall in an unimaginable way. Because of corruption and misrule, we could not fully enjoy the fruits of our independence. Recently, we have witnessed oppression. The entire nation has suffered, especially our party. Our senior leaders were taken from us one by one. I pray to the Almighty to accept them as His beloved servants and to grant them martyrdom."

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer stated, "When injustice was carried out against our senior leaders, when false allegations led to unfair trials, millions of Muslims in this country protested against such wrongdoing. The people of Joypurhat also raised their voices. One by one, many of you have had to leave this world at the hands of tyrants. Many have been left disabled, many have been imprisoned, many have been forced into exile, and many have become refugees within their own country. The situation across Bangladesh is the same."

He continued, "From last July until August 5, they turned Bangladesh into a living hell. Until their final days in power, they continued to kill people. They are clear perpetrators of genocide. We demand justice for every massacre that has taken place. We urge the government to prioritize bringing the perpetrators of these genocides to justice."

Jamaat Ameer further stated, "Those who were martyred wanted to build a just, humane, and prosperous nation. Their demand was for a fair state where everyone would have equal rights. To achieve this, we must ensure a meaningful election. But for such an election, crucial reforms must be made. That is why Jamaat-e-Islami has already stated that we are willing to give this government a reasonable amount of time to carry out necessary reforms.

"Unfortunately, history has shown that those who make grand promises before elections—those who release manifestos and vow to bring change—often forget their commitments once they come to power. For five years, they remain uninterested in fulfilling their pledges. Instead, many become preoccupied with suppressing their opponents.

Jamaat Ameer identified two key reasons behind this failure. Firstly, those who come to power do not truly fear Allah. They do not believe that they will be held accountable before Allah for their responsibilities. If they did, they would have governed with justice and ensured the safety of people's lives, wealth, and honor."

Secondly, these rulers think the people are ignorant. They treat politics as a business. They sit in hunger, waiting for power. Once they gain power, they gorge themselves until they suffer from indigestion. But when they lose power, everything spills out when they are pressed. Mentioning that people have been mocked, the Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami said, "People’s right to vote, the right to justice, the right to food, the right to live, the right to education, and the right to healthcare have all been destroyed. We want to see these rights returned to the people."

He said, "Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has endured immense suffering and hardship. But by the grace of Allah, we told our supporters and well-wishers to remain patient, stay calm, and participate in building the party and the country. We warned them: not a single supporter or well-wisher should unjustly take anyone’s property. No one should engage in extortion, occupy sidewalks, or claim illegal ownership of anything. I am grateful to the two-crore people directly associated with Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami who have upheld our principles."

Dr. Shafiqur Rahman stated that Jamaat-e-Islami wants to build a humane Bangladesh. "We want a Bangladesh free from exploitation and discrimination. That is why we want a government led by honest people. From 2001 to 2006, Jamaat-e-Islami’s Ameer and Secretary General served as ministers, yet no one could prove that their hands were tainted with corruption. Jamaat had 63 MPs at different times, and the same claim holds true for them.

He added, "On August 5, 2024, we proved that we fear Allah. We have not looted anyone’s property or engaged in extortion. If, by the will of Allah and with the people's love, Jamaat-e-Islami is elected, we will not become the owners of the country or your wealth. Instead, we will be the guardians and protectors of you and your resources so that people can sleep peacefully at night."

Highlighting the curse of unemployment, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said, "We want to establish an education system that produces individuals who fear Allah while excelling in all worldly qualifications. Many students commit suicide after completing their studies. We do not want this. Education should end with guaranteed employment. Every young man and woman should be transformed into a builder of the nation. If we can establish this kind of education, corruption and misrule will disappear. Without it, eradicating corruption and misrule will be impossible."

Addressing the nation, the Ameer of Jamaat stated, "Half of the country’s population is male, and the other half is female. Due to life’s necessities, women must engage in various professions. But we often see their suffering, dishonor, and abuse in the media. However, much of this remains hidden due to social shame and fear of losing dignity."

"If this country is governed by Quranic law, then from soldiers to cleaners, from peons to the President—every position will be filled with good and qualified people. Women will play a role in nation-building, just as men do. But they will gain two additional benefits that they are currently deprived of—respect and security. They will work with dignity and safety."

Rafiqul Islam Khan stated that for the past 15 years, people have been oppressed. "A steamroller of tyranny has been unleashed upon the people. Many have been killed, and many have been forcibly disappeared." He continued, "The previous government used to talk about Vision 2041. Where are they now? Many of them have fled, and many are in prison. Arrogance does not pay off. The previous government destroyed democracy, voting rights, and the economy. They looted trillions of takas and laundered them abroad."

He asserted, "These fascists must be brought to justice, no matter where they are—inside or outside the country. Those who aided fascism must also be tried. There will be no forgiveness for them. The people will not pardon them."