Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman stated that the Chief Adviser has united all political parties and national leaders as he emphasized on the need for national unity in combating both domestic and foreign conspiracies. Jamaat Ameer stressed that the country would not tolerate any foreign aggression and would never give up an inch of Bangladesh's land. "We will give our lives, but we will not surrender even an inch of land. This is our commitment," he declared.
Dr. Shafiqur Rahman made these comments while addressing the Workers' Conference of Comilla City Jamaat held at the Town Hall grounds in Comilla on Friday morning, 6th December.
He criticized the previous Awami League government for not naming a division after Comilla, stating that it was an act of oppression and disrespect toward the people of the district. He added that any person who disregards the country's land does not deserve to be the Prime Minister. He called on the government to announce a division in the name of "Comilla" as soon as possible. He also advocated for the reopening of Comilla Airport and urged the government to construct a new airport.
Jamaat Ameer also stated that the government has been given time for reforms in all sectors of administration, and they will extend it if necessary. However, he stressed that the government must make essential reforms and hold elections at the appropriate time. He further insisted that the offender of 2024 genocide must be brought to justice. He also pointed out that defeated forces are still conspiring against the country from abroad, with Indian media spreading false disinformation in an attempt to disrupt the country’s communal harmony. He said the people of Bangladesh thwarted that conspiracy and stood united to defend the nation. He added that they do not want to divide people based on religion and emphasized that everyone should identify as Bangladeshis.
The conference was presided over by Kazi Deen Mohammad, the Ameer of Comilla City Jamaat, which was jointly conducted by Professor A. K. M. Emdadul Haque Mamun, Nayeb-e-Ameer of Comilla City, and Secretary Mahbubur Rahman. Among others, Jamaat’s Nayeb-e-Ameer Dr. Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher, Assistant Secretary General Maulana ATM Masum, Maulana Abdul Halim, former VP of Chittagong University Student Council Advocate Jasimuddin Sarkar, Jamaat’s central council member Abdur Rob, Mobarak Hossain, spoke in the program as special guests. Besides, Jamaat’s central Shura and regional team member Professor Liaquat Bhuiyan, regional team member Abdur Sattar, Advocate Muhammad Shahjahan, Ameer of Comilla South District, Professor Abdul Matin, Ameer of Comilla North District, former central president of Chhatrashibir Yasir Arafat, Dr. Mobarak Hossain, Nayeb-e-Ameer of Comilla City Mosleh Uddin, Comilla South District Secretary Dr. Syed Sarwar Uddin Siddiqui, North District Secretary Saiful Islam Shaheed, Comilla city Jamaat’s Assistant Secretary Kamruzzaman Sohel, Comilla city Chhatrashibir President Noman Hossain Nayan, President of Comilla University Hafiz Yusuf Islahi, Assistant Secretary of Comilla City Jamaat Mosharraf Hossain, Nasim Ahmed Mollah, and other leaders also spoke on the occasion.
Dr. Shafiqur Rahman stated that the past 16 and a half years had been a suffocating period for the nation, which had initiated with the Pilkhana massacre. He mentioned that 57 patriotic army officers were killed in the 2009 BDR mutiny at Pilkhana, and the investigation report of that incident has never been made public. He called on the government to conduct a fair investigation into the event.
He emphasized that Bangladesh is not a communal country and strongly stated that the terms "majority" and "minority" do not apply in Bangladesh. He said that everyone born in the country was a Bangladeshi. He criticized the use of the term "minority" by certain groups to pursue foreign interests and denounced the false propaganda of Indian media. He referred to protests against such misinformation by Hindu students in Bangladesh, asserting that the Indian media’s claims were false and questioned why India was spreading such lies. He pointed out that while India claims a lack of communal tolerance in Bangladesh, but the world knows how many people have been brutally killed by India’s extremist groups.
He said, "A lawyer was brutally killed at the Chittagong court by an extremist organization. They wanted to incite riots through this murder. The people of Bangladesh have shown patience and said that those involved in this murder will be tried according to the law. We do not want to take the law into our own hands. Can anyone show such an example in India?"
He committed to leading the country through capable leadership and said, "In the future, honest and patriotic individuals will run the country. The people will decide this through their votes. There will be no manipulation in the elections. To ensure such situation, some electoral reforms are necessary. Young people, who were not able to vote for the past 15 years, will not only vote but also provide leadership to the nation. He called for a complete overhaul of the education system and the creation of a practical-based curriculum. To build a Bangladesh free from discrimination, everyone will have to play a responsible role. He promised that if Jamaat-e-Islami comes to power, women will receive proper respect and safety."
He said, "Everyone will be evaluated based on merit. There will be no discrimination in the country." He complained that Jamaat-e-Islami has been the most oppressed by the police in the past, but still, they did not seek revenge. "We all want to build a beautiful Bangladesh," he added.
Addressing the media, he said, "You must always speak the truth. No wrongdoer should be spared. If we make a mistake, you must write it, and we will be able to correct it." He said the main commanders of the 24 movement were the students, "We were only there to support them. He also advised the leaders and activists to focus on character building and to come forward in times of crisis.
Jamaat’s Nayeb-e-Ameer Dr. Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher said, "If India behaves aggressively towards us, the people of Bangladesh will face it with all their might. There will be a procession of thousands of martyrs at the border. Still, we will not give any opportunity to imperialistic forces." He added that in the upcoming elections, honest and Allah-fearing leaders must be elected. "Jamaat-e-Islami has passed the test of faith, so now it is time to give Jamaat a chance," he said. Dr. Taher also called for the announcement of "Comilla" as a division and the proper function of the Comilla airport.
Assistant Secretary General Maulana ATM Masum said, "After the defeat on August 5th, the defeated forces are trying to destabilize Bangladesh by colluding with neighboring countries. They want to discredit the revolution of the students and the people." He urged everyone to unite against all conspiracies to protect the country and called for giving Jamaat-e-Islami a chance.
Maulana Abdul Halim said, "For the sake of Bangladesh’s interests, everyone must remain united. We are ready to give our lives, but we will not bow down to any imperialist force. We did not bow to the Awami forces. Even though we faced oppression, we never compromised." He called for unity and urged everyone to work for the country.
Mobarak Hossain said, "The autocrat Sheikh Hasina destroyed the country and fled abroad in the face of massive public outrage. I urge the interim government to bring her back to the country and bring her to justice at any cost."
