2025-05-27

Jamaat Ameer’s press conference following the verdict on ATM Azharul Islam

During Sheikh Hasina’s despotic regime, Jamaat-e-Islami was subjected to horrific oppression

-Dr. Shafiqur Rahman

On May 27 at 11:30 AM, a press conference was held at the Freedom Fighters Hall of the Institution of Diploma Engineers, Kakrail, Dhaka, following the Supreme Court’s Appellate Division verdict acquitting oppressed public leader and then acting Secretary General of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, ATM Azharul Islam, from all charges. The verdict was described as a manifestation of the infinite grace of Almighty Allah.

 

The conference was moderated by Advocate Matiur Rahman Akanda, member of the Central Executive Committee and Secretary of Central Publicity and Media Division of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami. Attendees included Nayeb-e-Ameer and former MP Professor Mujibur Rahman, former MP Dr. Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher, Acting Secretary General Maulana ATM Masum, Assistant Secretary General Maulana Rafiqul Islam Khan, former MP Dr. Hamidur Rahman Azad, Maulana Abdul Halim, Maulana Muazzam Hossain Helal, Advocate Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair, Central Executive Committee members Mr. Abdur Rob, Saiful Alam Khan Milon, Principal Shahabuddin, Mobarak Hossain, Central Executive Committee and Dhaka City South Ameer Nurul Islam Bulbul, Central Executive Committee and Dhaka City North Ameer Mohammad Selim Uddin, Central Working Committee member and President of Lawyers Council Advocate Jasim Uddin Sarkar, Dhaka City South Secretary Dr. Shafiqul Islam Masud, Dhaka City North Secretary Dr. Rezaul Karim, son of martyred Maulana Delwar Hossain Sayeedee, Masood Sayeedi, son of martyred Maulana Matiur Rahman Nizami, Barrister Nazibur Rahman Momen, son of martyred Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujahid, Ali Ahmad Mabrur, son of ATM Azharul Islam, Tasnim Azhar Sumon, son of martyred Abdul Quader Molla, Hasan Jamil, along with the legal team representing ATM Azharul Islam, among others.

 

At the press conference, Jamaat Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman began by expressing deep gratitude to Almighty Allah, saying, “We have long waited for such a just verdict. Today, through this verdict, Allah has made us even more grateful. From the depths of my heart, I thank the Almighty — Alhamdulillah.”

 

He further stated, “During the past despotic regime of Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami suffered horrific oppression. Eleven of our top leaders were systematically subjected to judicial killings in false, fabricated, and politically motivated cases based on false testimonies. The very place from where I speak to you today was once graced by those noble leaders, whom you listened to over the years. Except for one, all of them have been cruelly eliminated from this world. I pray from the bottom of my heart that Allah grants these revered leaders and their murdered comrades the highest station of martyrdom.”

 

He continued, “During that autocratic era, various political parties, religious and social organizations, BDR members, and common protesting citizens — especially those who were killed during the Revolution of 2024 — were brutally murdered. I pray to Almighty Allah to accept them as martyrs. Our deepest respect and love go to the families of all these martyrs. I also pray that Allah grants them the best recompense in this world and the Hereafter, and that He grants them a place in eternal Paradise along with the martyrs. Though we are inadequate and fall short in many ways, we are trying to carry their responsibilities forward. May Allah, with His divine power, accept us in the service of this nation and religion.”

 

He added, “Today, the full bench of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh has heard our review petition and announced the verdict. In this verdict, our honored oppressed leader and dear brother ATM Azharul Islam has been acquitted of all charges brought against him.”

 

He further said, “In this moment of national crisis, had these respected leaders — been alive, they could have guided the nation with their wisdom, foresight, and experience. But one by one, the kangaroo courts executed them. No one in this world can bring them back to us. Yet, their memories, deeds, and contributions to the cause of Allah’s religion will remain everlasting and will continue to inspire us time and again.”

 

He continued, “To run these cases, a limitless web of deception and forgery was used. The extent of falsehood employed has even been admitted by former Chief Justice S.K. Sinha in his own book. The judiciary and the then government jointly planned and conspired, with cold calculation, how to execute these leaders. You have witnessed how each verdict was announced and carried out. Those who were judicially murdered were taken to the court of Almighty Allah. But at the same time, their families were also brutally attacked and tortured. Each family was torn apart.”

 

He said, “The Skype scandal was condemned and rejected worldwide. During the entire judicial process, two torture centers were established — one called ‘Safe Home’ and the other ‘Safe House.’ At the Safe Home, the victimized leaders were harassed continuously. Despite being under the direction of higher courts, they were detained there and subjected to hours and days of torture. We silently endured. We tried to protest. We cried and turned to Allah.”

 

“In addition to the torture in the Safe Home, the victims were then transferred to the Safe House located in Jatrabari. These incidents have been reported in the media. International human rights organizations and various groups condemned this judicial process. They offered advice, but it was ignored because the authorities knew that fair trials would not lead to executions. They refused to listen to anyone.”

 

He added, “We love this country. Our beloved leaders also loved this country deeply. Out of their love, they tried to do something good for the people. They devoted their full capabilities to fostering a healthy political culture in Bangladesh. Not only on the streets but even when they became part of the government, they worked to improve governance systems.”

 

“You are witnesses — two of our ministers managed three ministries. Allah gave these servants of His special help. They fulfilled their responsibilities with honesty and competence for their entire term. They left behind rare examples for the people of Bangladesh — unprecedented examples of integrity. We hope their legacy will continue to inspire the nation for generations, for centuries to come, Insha’Allah.”

 

He added, Allama Delwar Hossain Sayeedi was not just an asset of Jamaat-e-Islami or the people of Bangladesh — he was a treasure to believers across the world. You saw how he was treated. Sukhranjon Bali came to court to speak the truth about Sayeedi’s case, but he was forcibly taken away from the lawyer’s car. Nothing like this had ever happened in the history of Bangladesh’s judiciary.”

 

He added, “While conducting these trials, neither international customary law was followed, nor were the domestic laws of the land upheld. Even the Evidence Act of our country was not adhered to. On those days, the constitution held no weight, the law had no meaning. The court was run according to the signals and desires of those behind the scenes — their will was the law, whether legal or illegal. That is how we were ravaged.”

 

“With regard to the war crimes trials in Bangladesh, the British High Court in its ruling stated that these were a mockery in the name of justice — just genocide of justice. Justice itself was annihilated.

 

“We once again remember with deep respect our martyred leaders: former Ameer Professor Ghulam Azam, former Nayeb-e-Ameer Abul Kalam Muhammad Yusuf, former Ameer Shaheed Maulana Matiur Rahman Nizami, former Secretary General Shaheed Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujahid, former Assistant Secretary General Shaheed Muhammad Kamaruzzaman and Shaheed Abdul Quader Molla, former Nayeb-e-Ameer Allama Delwar Hossain Sayeedee, former Central Executive Committee Member Shaheed Mir Quasem Ali, former Nayeb-e-Ameer and former MP Maulana Abdus Subhan, and former Central Working Committee Member Abdul Khaleque Mondol (RA) — who were unjustly executed by wrongful verdicts. They were removed from the world, but can never be removed from our hearts. We will continue to remember them through our actions, Insha’Allah. We pray to Allah that He grants us the ability to carry the trust they left behind.”

 

“Despite the immense pain in our hearts, we still love this country. We have not sought revenge — as you have seen — but we do demand justice. This verdict has made it clear that the earlier rulings were deliberate — designed to eliminate the leadership through judicial executions. To eliminate the leadership of a nation and a political movement is to cast the people into darkness.”

 

“This verdict has proven that truth cannot be suppressed forever. Truth pierces through the clouds and emerges in radiant light — and that truth has now been affirmed.”

 

“We pledge to the nation that if, by the will of Almighty Allah and with the support of our beloved people, we are ever given the opportunity to serve this country, then, Insha’Allah, we will end the politics of revenge. We will end the politics of discrimination. We will dedicate all of our capabilities alongside the people to eliminate inequality from society. Moreover, we want to build a society free from corruption, misrule, crime, and injustice — a society that is welfare-oriented, humane, and just. To build such a society, we seek your companionship, support, cooperation, and prayers.”

 

Despite your many responsibilities, you responded to our call and attended — for that, we are deeply satisfied and sincerely grateful. We hope you will convey our appeals and messages to the people of this country.

 

May Allah be the Helper of this nation. We hope all political parties and relevant stakeholders, out of love for the country, will prioritize the public interest above all else and fulfill their responsibilities accordingly.

We make this solemn pledge: if, by the sole will of Almighty Allah and with the support and cooperation of our beloved countrymen, we are entrusted with the responsibility of serving this nation. We envision a society free from corruption, misgovernance, and crime — a society free of discrimination, a society based on welfare, and a society rooted in humanity. To build such a society, we seek your help, friendship, love, support, and prayers.

 

May Allah the Almighty protect the people of this country. May He protect our beloved homeland. May He preserve the independence and sovereignty of our dear nation.

 

We pray that, together, we may build a golden, prosperous society. May Allah grant the people of this land the strength and guidance to achieve that vision. With heartfelt thanks and deep gratitude to you all once again, we hereby conclude the proceedings of this conference.