Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has called upon the United Nations to investigate all incidents of minority oppression that have occurred since independence. He pointed to the Awami League and said that since independence, a group has taken advantage of the minority. They have harmed them, looted their properties, occupied their houses, and tortured them. They have tried to blame the Islamists for all this ill-deeds. But Islamists do not do this, they do not consider other people's property as their own, and they do not torture others. We are urging the UN to probe all incidents of minority oppression that have occurred in Bangladesh since independence to ensure dur punishment of the offenders.
Jamaat Ameer said these things while speaking as the chief guest at the workers' conference organized by Thakurgaon District Jamaat-e-Islami at the Zilla School Boro Maidan. District Ameer Professor Belal Uddin Pradhan presided over the program which was hosted by District Secretary Alamgir Hossain. Assistant Secretary General Maulana Rafiqul Islam Khan and Maulana Abdul Halim, Central Working Committee Member Principal Maulana Momtaz Uddin, Professor Mahbubur Rahman Belal, former Thakurgaon District Jamaat Ameer Maulana Abdul Hakim, former Chhatrashibir President and member of Jamaat's Central Majlish-e-Shura Delwar Hossain addressed the program as special guests.
Among others, Dinajpur District Ameer Anisur Rahman, Panchagarh District Jamaat Ameer Iqbal Hossain, Hindu religious leader Jatis Chandra Roy, Ulama leader Mufti Harunur Rashid Qasemi, Thakurgaon City Chhatrashibir President Asadullah Ghalib, Shaheed Abu Raihan's father Fazle Alam Rashed, Thakurgaon City Jamaat Ameer Shamsuzzaman Shamim spoke on the ocy. among others. A Hindu religious leader attended the conference and praised the conduct and discipline of the Jamaat-Shibir and expressed his hope that this good force will run the country in future.
In his speech as the chief guest, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said, Bangladesh is a small country. There are 180 million people in this small Bangladesh. But we could not convert the population into manpower. If we could convert their hands into hands of work, the fate of the country would have changed.
Referring to the killing of 11 central leaders of Jamaat, he said, people are breathing a sigh of relief after 15 and a half years of murder, looting and torture. In these 15 and a half years, many have lost their lives, many have been injured, many houses have been demolished. Leaders and activists of Jamaat have been killed. Leaders and activists' houses have been bulldozed.
The Ameer-e-Jamaat said, "There is a storm inside my chest, shoot me if I get my chest." The students took to the streets with the slogan "Shoot me, shoot me." They stood at gunpoint to get my chest. The police told a minister, "If I shoot one, one person dies and four people stand." We are grateful to them for creating such a nation. He appealed for such boys to stand up for the nation in the future as well.
He also said, "Who wants to create division in the nation? After the August 5 revolution, there was no government in the country for four days. Islamists forces guarded the entire country for four days. They wanted to disrupt Durga Puja." We, on behalf of Jamaat, guarded their places of worship. We want to create an environment where no religious institutions need any such protection.
He said that the Indian Prime Minister claimed victory on December 16. There, he did not mention the name of Bangladesh even for once. They did not protest against his words. Let neighboring countries be like neighbors. But they sometimes cross the border and come to cross their limit.
He said that the young generation could not vote in the last three elections. Students are given certificates but not jobs. They took to the streets for a small demand but their demands were not met and rather they were shot dead. Innumerable people have been paralyzed, have lost their eyesight and are crying. But based on their sacrifices, the movement for securing one right has turner into a liberation movement for the people.
Referring to the last three elections, the Ameer-e-Jamaat said that in the 2014 elections, they won 154 seats uncontested. And in 2018, the voting were held at the previous night and the votes of the 24th were cast by me and the dummy. The ousted government was a dummy government. That's why it went away with a small stream. They are again making threats. They are self-admitted murderers. They are still threatening to kill. I want to say, this chapter is closed. The country's fallen government will not come again. Don't think people are fools. The country has to be built now. We want everyone to build the country together. However, those who looted and laundered money abroad must be punished and the laundered money must be brought back. He said, Thakurgaon district is an important district. There is no medical college here, no university. I will urge the interim government, pay attention to this district. They should start with at least one medical college. We want equal development in all districts. All development should not go to the Prime Minister's district. We want justice to be established in the courts. If justice is established, people will be able to live in peace. There will be equal development in all districts. If the country can be run on the basis of justice, the country will become a role model in the world.
Maulana Rafiqul Islam Khan said that for the past 15 and a half years, the people of Bangladesh have not been able to speak, vote, or enjoy their rights. Those who have spoken have either been disappeared or detained in prison. The people of Bangladesh have led many movements, but none have been successful. In the anti-discrimination student and public movement, Sheikh Hasina fled to a neighboring country.
He said that those who have fled the country have never returned. The Awami League will not be able to return either. Fascism will not be allowed to return to the land of Bangladesh. He urged the government to immediately identify the allies of fascism within and outside the government and arrest and bring them to justice. He also called for the appointment of competent and capable individuals in appropriate positions.
He further said that anyone who creates chaos will be confronted by the united people. The Bangladesh of tomorrow will be free from extortionists, terrorists, dictators, and land grabbers. The Bangladesh of tomorrow will be one of justice and Islam. The people want an Islamic government. He called on the people of Thakurgaon to play a united role in this movement.
Maulana Abdul Halim said that six people, including Niranjan Babu, were killed in Thakurgaon while protesting the false verdict against Allama Saeedee. He expressed gratitude for their sacrifice. Under the leadership of Jamaat Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, he called on the people of the country to work together for the Bangladesh of the future.
He said that a leader of a friendly organization has made remarks that could divide the unity. He mentioned that Jamaat did not take over any bank; rather, the leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami established the Islamic Bank. The occupying group, S Alam Group, has fled following the student and public movement. Some people are speaking like Indian agents. He urged those involved to refrain from spreading division through such statements.
Principal Maulana Mamataz Uddin said that in the face of the student and public revolution, Hasina fled. He urged everyone to stay alert so that no fascist like Hasina rises again. He called on everyone to spread the message of Islam door to door.
Hindu religious leader Jatish Chandra Roy said that the conduct of Jamaat-Shibir leaders and activists is good. He was impressed by their behavior and came to speak at the rally. People of various religions remember the Creator in different ways. He stated that he does not belong to any party, but he was impressed by Jamaat's honesty, decency, and humility. He expressed his intention to try to form a government through Jamaat as they do not engage in corruption, bribery, or injustice.
