Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman addressed the nation on 13th April, 2020. His full address is as follows:
Fellow countrymen, respected citizens, living in home and abroad,
Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah.
At the onset of my address, I would like pay tribute to those people, who have died of coronavirus. I am praying to Allah seeking their salvation. I am also praying to Allah for the quick recovery of the infected people, who have been going through this disease.
Fellow countrymen,
The entire world is facing a crisis now. Social scientists opined that world has not experienced such a severe crisis since the second world war. Bangladesh is also facing the same crisis. Since the onset of the crisis, we had warned the government. We also printed leaflets and conveyed those pamphlets and leaflets to the people to create mass awareness. But the government failed to take proper steps on time. We are suffering now due to the inactions of the government.
We are not managed yet. Our hospitals are not ready to provide effective treatment. Medical equipments have not been provided to all hospitals, particularly at district levels.
Many people are being died with the corona symptoms but they are buried subsequently without proper screening and test. Deceased’s families and the nation are not able to know their diseases even. It is not clear whether they were infected by coronavirus or not. Whereas many people are still suffering having the same symptoms and they are not getting any options for the corona test as well.
Adequate time has been elapsed. We did expect that the government and the people would be able to manage themselves within this timespan to tackle the crisis with the help of Almighty Allah.
As a responsible organization, we did not seat idle by giving advices and suggestions only. We have tried to take stand by the general masses as well. We had urged our leaders and activists to help the poor people, particularly those who have suddenly became unemployed and workless. Alhamdulillah, our activists have responded to the call of humanity and sacrificed relentlessly. Our leaders and activists are providing food and other emergency requirements to door to doors. Till 9 April, Jamaat-e-Islami has distributed the following items:
Jamaat-e-Islami’s relief distribution in details
Number of beneficiary families: 255,492
Rice: 1779 tons
Lentils: 187 tons
Salt: 196 tons
Potato: 548 tons
Onion: 227 tons
Oil: 4,59,844 liters
Flour: 68 tons
Mask: 2,23,423 pieces
Soap: 4,40,470 pieces
PPE: 2800 pieces
Our medical teams are continuously providing health care and suggestions to the people. Our party workers are also working to keep our social and religious institutions clean and germ free.
Dear countrymen,
We are observing with great comfort that, the affluent and solvent sections of the society have come forward in this crucial period to help the impoverished sections. We are thanking them all.
We are observing with great concern that, whereas the ruling party men are supposed to help the poor people in this crucial period, instead, they are getting involved with misappropriation of rice, allocated for the poor. Everyday, thousands of tons of rice are being stolen. Such news is often being published in the media, but the real pictures are worse than ever.
Government also declared various stimulus package to boost up different sectors. Whereas in other countries, the government is helping the people, our government has declared to provide money as loans. Even the provision of interest has been added over there. Whereas, the government is supposed to remain as the co-fighter in the war of keeping our industrial and agriculture sector alive, this provision of interest is an injustice to the concerned stakeholders. We are of the views that government’s declared stimulus must be free from interest and profit.
Bangladesh is an agriculture-based country. Agriculture contributes the most to the GDP of this nation. But government declared only 5 thousand crore taka stimulus for this sector. We are urging the authority to make it at least 30 thousand crore takas. This money must be provided to the real victims. It is the duty of the government to work with justice beyond all sorts of partisan thoughts and attitudes and nepotism. If they do so, people will help and support them as well. Otherwise they have to take the responsibility of the untoward consequences.
Government’s declared food distribution program for the poor have become a failure already. The incidents of rice misappropriation have shocked the nation. As Bangladesh Army is on the field to tackle the current situation, we are urging to engage them in these activities. Hopefully, the government will pay heed to our suggestion.
Dear countrymen,
We would like to draw the attention of the government about some other issues as well.
Many people became unemployed and workless due to coronavirus outbreak. Subsidies to be provided in the upcoming six months for ensuring food for them at low cost. Salaries of next three months to be paid to the private service holders. The owners of the concerned institutions and the government should work together in this regard.
Health security must be ensured for the health staffs and officials. Testing kits to be supplied in all districts. Government hospitals must be equipped with facilities to provide treatment to the corona infected patients. Sufficient amounts of ventilators must be arranged. Testing kits to be supplied at district level hospitals immediately.
The government also should take steps to remove the miseries of the home-returned expatriates. Another convincing stimulus to be declared for them as well. They are leading miserable lives now and if their issues are not addressed it would create a negative impact on the national economy. We are urging the authority to stay alert to stop all sorts of corruption and irregularities centering the money of these stimulus packages.
A national taskforce should be formed comprising economists and social scientists to get rid of the probable economic recession. They will give short-term and long-term suggestions and help the government to find a way out from this crisis. The government should be free from exercising political thoughts and views now. If they still remain hesitant about it, we will suffer a lot.
We had called earlier for national consensus. But we are not observing any positive approach from the government in this regard. They must call for national unity immediately in order to do whatsoever is needed to tackle this pandemic.
Dear brothers and sisters,
The law enforcers who are on the field, should work with honesty, sincerity and professionalism. Who have already become accused of conducting irregularities, must be warned. The government should be alert to check any types of political nepotism, corruption and misdeeds.
Fellow countrymen,
Mills, factories and industries should not be reopened unless the situation improves satisfactorily. The industry will sustain if the nation survives. So, maximum priority should be given on saving lives. These institutions may open once when the security of the staffs will be ensured. The decision should be taken by discussing with the concerned staffs and officials. Our recommended national taskforce may work on it to fix the proper time for reopening these mills and factories.
During this crucial period, going beyond our political differences, Jamaat-e-Islami is fully ready to help and cooperate the government in this regard. We had said it earlier for several times and are repeating again. Hopefully, the government will come forward to work with us altogether based on the spirit of national consensus.
We are urging the affluent citizens and political parties to come forward to ensure public welfare. Already many people are practicing this unique concept of charities. We are expressing our gratitude to all of them. But the political parties should come forward as well. If they do not come to help people even in this crisis, then when will they come?
We have decided to continue our humanitarian and social welfare activities as much we can. We are grateful to the countrymen. Their continuous support and prayers have helped us to become capable. We consider it noble and obligatory duty to help people in this critical juncture.
Due to lack of time and our incapacities, we could not reach to many poor people. We are seeking pardon from them. We will try to reach them in the upcoming days. You should pray for us so that we can continue our efforts.
We believe that test and trials come from Allah and only He can remove it. Actually, when people are committing maximum crimes and turn into transgressors, then Allah gives an opportunity to turn back to Him. So, whoever is wise and believer, makes their repentance and seeks mercy and forgiveness from Allah. We are urging the countrymen to make self-assessment of their own and also to surrender wholeheartedly before Almighty Allah.
We are asking the government to seek forgiveness from Allah for their repressions and wrongdoings. We all should make a pledge not to get involved with any offences and crimes in the upcoming days. If we can run our country with honesty and justice, Allah will forgive us by His will.
Let us be repentant, let us seek mercy and forgiveness from Allah. We only seek His blessings. We only rely on Him.
May Allah bless our homeland. May Allah help and protect our fellow countrymen. May Allah protect the humanity across the globe.
With thanks and deep gratitude, I would like to conclude my today’s speech.
Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah.
Note: Click here to see the video announcement given to the countrymen
