Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s Acting Ameer and former lawmaker Professor Mujibur Rahman has addressed a press conference on 21st November, 2023 which has been arranged protesting the perverse judgment, delivered against an appeal petition of Jamaat-e-Islami’s registration case. Central Publicity Secretary and Jamaat’s central executive committee member Advocate Matiur Rahman Akanda hosted the conference. Among others, Jamaat’s Assistant Secretary General Maulana Abdul Halim, central executive committee member and Dhaka south city Ameer Nurul Islam Bulbul and central working committee member and Dhaka north city Jamaat’s Acting Ameer Abdur Rahman Musa were present during the press meet. Professor Mujibur Rahman’s address to the nation is given below:

All praises to Almighty Allah, and peace and blessing upon the final Prophet (pbuH).

Dear fellow journalists,
Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah.
As you are well informed that Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami is the largest Islamic political party of the country. Since the emergence of Bangladesh as an independent nation, Jamaat-e-Islami has been playing significant role in the politics of the country. Jamaat had played historic role in all democratic and anti-tyrannical movement. The countrymen, particularly recalls the contributions of Jamaat-e-Islami in the anti-autocracy movement of 90s and the democratic movement of 2001. As a responsible political party, Jamaat believes in systematic and democratic trend of movement.

Jamaat believes in changing of power through election. Jamaat is not used to apply any types of immoral, undemocratic or harmful strategies. Jamaat has been carrying out pro-election activities to strengthen the democratic structure of the country. Jamaat for the first time placed the concept of caretaker government system in order to institutionalize the electoral system and also to ensure a free, fair and credible election. The concept attained huge acceptance and based on this system, fair and credible national election took place in the country in 1991, 1996 and 2001.

Dear journalist brothers,
Jamaat-e-Islami had representations in most of the parliament of the previous 11 occasions. A significant number of Jamaat backed candidates secured victory in city corporation, municipality election and union council elections and subsequently served the nation. Jamaat bagged 10 seats in the parliamentary election of 1986, 18 seats along with two women reserved seats in 1991, 3 seats in 1996, 17 seats and 3 reserved seats for women in 2001 and two seats in 2008 national election.

During the tenure of 2001-2006, two top leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami had served the nation as ministers and they set unique examples of honesty, integrity and accountability. During the rule of subsequent military backed government, allegations of corruptions and irregularities were found against maximum leaders of the major parties. But the then authority could not find a single allegation of irregularities against the Jamaat leaders. Such honesty and integrity of Jamaat leaders drew the attention of the countrymen and foreign quarters as well.

Dear journalist friends,
Jamaat’s bold stance against extremism, militancy, terrorism and anarchy were very evident. When the issue of militancy emerged in 2005, Jamaat took strong position against it. Because of the anti-militant role, Khulna district Jamaat activist and local journalist leader Sheikh Belal Uddin was murdered in front of the district press club. Jamaat leader and Jhalkathi district’s public prosecutor Advocate Haider Ali was murdered in the same way. Another 6 Jamaat leaders and activists were killed by the attack of the militants in various spots of the country.

Dear journalist friends,
Jamaat remained vocal always against corruption and misrule. Jamaat had been playing an uncompromising role to establish democracy, constitution, rule of law, human rights and justice. Jamaat's stronger stance in different events like Tipaimukh Dam issue, Farakka dam issue, water sharing of Teesta River and murder of civilians at the frontiers. More than 30.5 million people are involved with Jamaat-e-Islami.

Jamaat always tried to serve the people. Jamaat’s outstanding role in serving people during flood, pandemic and other natural disasters are well recognized.

Dear journalists,
After complying all rules, regulations and recommendations, Jamaat-e-islami had received registration from the election commission on 4th November of 2008. Later, under the backing of the incumbent government, a writ was filed with the High Court against this registration. The particular bench was constituted with two judges. Then the senior one appealed to the chief justice to form a larger bench as some constitutional issues are related to this case. On that ground, the Chief Justice reconstituted the bench comprising of three justices. After a long hearing, that High Court bench dismissed the writ on 1st August of 2013 through a descending judgment and declared Jamaat's registration illegal. One of the judges, declared Jamaat’s registration valid and rest of the two judges gave different views.

Jamaat-e-Islami made an appeal against that verdict in the Supreme Court. In the last week of January, 2023, the court instructed to submit the concise statement of this case within two months and stated that in case of defaulter, appeal will be rejected automatically. Jamaat submitted that concise statement even 7-days before the deadline.

Jamaat-e-Islami organized a grand rally on 10th June of this year in the capital peacefully. Anti-Jamaat quarters became envious to see such successful program. They filed two petitions seeking ban on the political activities of Jamaat-e-Islami and another one is contempt of court case against the Jamaat leaders. The court fixed 19th November for hearing the appeal petition along with these two new petitions.

On the ground of strike and other political programs on that day, Jamaat’s lawyers applied for a new date. But rejecting that time petition, the court declared the petition as ‘dismissed for default.’ The court also rejected both the petitions which had been submitted by the other groups seeking ban on the political activities of Jamaat-e-Islami.

Dear journalist friends,
It is Jamaat-e-Islami who had appealed against the High Court verdict. But denying the hearing of the concerned party, the petition has been rejected as ‘Dismissed for Default.’ By such order, Jamaat-e-Islami has been made deprived from getting justice. As hearing did not take place in such a crucial case, so in parameter of justice, the verdict is not acceptable. The countrymen are shocked and surprised with this verdict. Jamaat-e-Islami already instructed the lawyers to take next legal course of action. Jamaat’s lawyers will take next steps in accordance with the constitution, law and the previous examples.

The 12th national election is knocking at the door. At present, the nation is conducting movement to restore voting rights and the caretaker government system in order to ensure a free, fair, credible and participatory election.

Development partners of Bangladesh and the democratic world are also pressing for a fair and inclusive election. As a pro-election party, Jamaat had the support of 15-20% voters. The order of Appellate Division will deprive these voters from their rights to cast votes. This incident will be marked as a tragic incident in voting history of Bangladesh. With this order, Jamaat-e-Islami has been made deprived from the opportunity to take part in election as a party and with its party symbols.

According to the constitution of Bangladesh, all citizens have the right to hold processions and rallies. So, naturally Jamaat will continue to exercise its constitutional rights. As per the law, there is no scope to create a bar against Jamaat’s political programs.

Jamaat-e-Islami will continue its struggle to build a prosperous Bangladesh based on the social welfare, justice, rule of law, human rights, voting rights. Our struggle to make a nation, free from corruption and misrule will continue as well.

I am seeking the cooperation of the party leaders and activists and the fellow countrymen in implementing all declared programs of Jamaat-e-Islami.

Our movement to establish doctrine of Allah and the rule of the honest people will go on. Jamaat’s millions of leaders and activist will continue to spread the beautiful message of Islam. May Allah ease our path. May Allah ease our journey.

I am concluding my speech by giving you thanks wholeheartedly.

Allah Hafez
Bangladesh Zindabad
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Zindabad.