Ameer-e-Jamaat

2025-01-04

Massive Crowd at the Worker Conference in Natore

Jamaat-e-Islami Seeks to Build a Just, Humane, and Equitable Bangladesh

-Dr. Shafiqur Rahman

Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, stated, "We do not want a divided Bangladesh. We want a humane and equitable Bangladesh. To build such a country, we need the love, support, and solidarity of the people. We promise that if Jamaat-e-Islami comes to power, we will promote the youth as the architects of the nation, ensure proper respect for women, and prevent any further conspiracies in this country. We will sacrifice our lives but will not bow to intimidation."

He made these remarks as the chief guest during the historic worker conference held on Friday, January 3, at the grounds of Nawab Siraj-ud-Doula Government College in Natore. The event was presided over by district Ameer Dr. Mir Nurul Islam, while district secretary Professor Sadequl Rahman hosted the conference.

Special guests included Assistant Secretary General of Jamaat-e-Islami Maulana Rafiqul Islam Khan, Executive Committee members Principal Shahabuddin and Md. Mobarak Hossain. Other speakers included central working committee members and regional leaders, such as Professor Rafiqul Islam, Principal Nazrul Islam, and various Ameers from neighboring districts including Rajshahi city Ameer Dr. Keramat Ali, Rajshahi district Ameer Professor Abdul Khaleq, Chapai Nawabganj district Ameer Abu Jar Gifari, Naogaon district Ameer Maulana Abdur Rakib, and Pabna district Ameer Abu Taleb Mandal.

Dr. Rahman emphasized that Bangladesh is a beloved homeland for all its citizens, who cherish it deeply. He drew an example from the life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), mentioning his profound connection with Makkah.

He criticized past governments for betraying public trust, turning from servants to rulers, and causing suffering to the nation, particularly under the "fascist government" of the last 15 years.

He said, in this country of independence, whoever has come to power has betrayed their trust. They have not upheld the honor of their responsibilities. They came to power as servants but became masters. To some extent, everyone has caused suffering to this nation. The fascist government of the last 15 and a half years has caused the most suffering. They have harmed all groups of people. Starting with our military, they ended with our children and young men and women. After coming to power, they orchestrated one killing after another.

Finally, on August 5, 2004, they fled in desperation. Up until that day, they carried out massacres, killing thousands of people. They crippled around 34,000 individuals. Over 400 people lost their eyesight completely and will never see the beauty of this world again. Over 750 people lost sight in one eye and are surviving with the other. Around 34,000 people have been permanently disabled. More than 300 people suffered spinal injuries from bullets, leaving them paralyzed and bedridden. They can no longer sit, stand, or perform their daily tasks with their own hands, even to lift food to their mouths.

So many people lie in hospital beds in anguish. They were so cruel, so ruthless. They turned weapons, purchased with taxpayers' money, against the people. Our child, Abu Saeed, stood firm and confident, believing his fellow countrymen would not shoot at his chest. He was shot three times and killed. Even then, they played a drama with his corpse.

He became emotional remembering Mir Mughdho and said, “A boy in those difficult days carried a bottle of water and asked, ‘Do you need water, brother?’ He, too, was killed. A helicopter fired bullets in the Signboard area of Narayanganj, killing a young woman, Suraiya. She left behind a two-month-old baby. When I went to see the child, everyone asked, ‘Who will this baby call mother?’ A similar question was asked by the wife of a garment worker who was six months pregnant. Her husband was killed in the protests. What will happen to her proud child?”

The Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami said that the organization stood by these families. He questioned why their children took to the streets with their chests bared. They had only one slogan: “We want justice.” They demanded justice, opposed discrimination, opposed extortion, opposed occupation, and opposed corruption and misrule. Those who came to the streets with these slogans must be healed first, and those who need treatment abroad should be sent promptly.

He reminded everyone that there was cooked food at GanaBhaban, but it was not consumed. He said that this country's greatest sons, the scholars (ulema), have been humiliated. They were shackled and handcuffed, dragged from one jail to another, from jail to court. Many were killed or disappeared. Ultimately, our patriotic sons were shot dead by hammer-wielding forces. Even our women were not spared. They will return someday. Some ask whether they can participate in the next election.

He stated, “We demand urgent reforms to allow the current government to hold fair elections and step aside. Let the responsibility of the country be given to those the people can trust. They will respect the citizens, love the nation, and account for every penny. They will not steal and smuggle the country’s wealth abroad as has been done over the last 15 and a half years.

Calling for market prices to be brought within people’s reach, he said, “The Awami syndicate is still active in various places. Some say the old syndicates’ dominion has passed to new landlords. We want that no syndicates will exist in the market, new or old. This oppression on the people must stop.”

Addressing the nation, he said, “We want a country where there is no division of sides, no fragmented nation. We don’t even want to hear words like minority or majority anymore. People of different communities have said that such terms have only been used to exploit them. We also don’t want that. We will build this nation together, regardless of gender or community. Women will be given proper respect and security. They will live safely, work outside, and fulfill their professional duties. The youth will be equipped with work skills. We await such a future. Many of us are saying that we will give our lives but not our sovereignty. We will not tolerate anyone’s red eyes staring at us. We did not free ourselves from the hands of Pindi to be enslaved by others. Instead, we want to be true citizens of an independent nation. Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami wants to build a Bangladesh free from discrimination and filled with humanity and equality.

Maulana Rafiqul Islam Khan stated that there have been repeated conspiracies against Bangladesh. In 2008, the Awami League came to power through an agreement and engaged in a series of conspiracies against the country, Islam, and Islamic leaders. They killed BDR officers and executed Jamaat-e-Islami leaders. At Shapla Chattar, they indiscriminately killed Hefazat-e-Islam leaders, activists, and scholars. The people protested against the Awami League's killings. Most recently, the movement was against discrimination led by students and the public. They shot at student processions, killing thousands. However, despite the killings, they could not prevent their fall this time.

On August 5, they fled to India. Sheikh Hasina is now conspiring to return to the country again. She might attempt to sneak back in. But it won’t happen. Let it be clear: the Awami League will not return to power, and Hasina will not return. However, she will be brought back for trial. The tribunal that sentenced Jamaat leaders to death will also try Hasina. If she tries to sneak back in, she will face consequences. The people of this country will no longer tolerate fascism.

Principal Md. Shahabuddin said that in 1956, the Quran-based constitution was introduced, but the Awami League-led United Front government assassinated Speaker Shahed Ali. Our leaders were also killed for Islam. This land belongs to Allah, and Jamaat-e-Islami wants to build a country based on justice. If we remain united, no one can harm us, Insha'Allah.

Mubarak Hossain stated that on October 28, 2006, the Awami League caused havoc with the logi-boitha (sticks and paddles), creating a horrific situation that ended with their flight. Sheikh Hasina has also fled. No other dictator in the world has fled in this manner. She occasionally tries to peek in, saying she will re-enter Bangladesh swiftly. She will not be allowed to do so. She will be brought back for trial. She hung our Islamic leaders on the gallows and executed them through judicial killings. She will also be brought back for justice and made to stand in the same dock. We have achieved a new Bangladesh. Only Jamaat-e-Islami can establish a just society.

Among others, Natore district Nayeb-e-Ameer Principal Delwar Hossain Khan, Nayeb-e-Ameer and Natore-2 MP candidate Professor Md. Yunus Ali, Bagatipara Lalpur Constituency-1 MP candidate Maulana Md. Abul Kalam Azad, Baraigram-Gurudaspur-4 parliamentary seat MP candidate Professor Abdul Hakim, and Natore district Chhatra Shibir president Aftab Uddin. In the evening, Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman exchanged views at a gathering of intellectuals at the Anima Chowdhury Auditorium of the District Council.