The two-day long District and City Ameer conference of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami began today, May 3 at 9 am at Al-Falah Auditorium in Moghbazar of the capital. The inaugural speech was delivered by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami's Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman. The conference was hosted by the party's Secretary General and former MP Professor Mia Golam Porwar. Jamaat's Assistant Secretary General Maulana ATM Masum, Dr. AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad, Maulana Abdul Halim, Maulana Md. Shahjahan, Adv. Muazzam Hossain Helal, Adv. Ahsanul Mahboob Zubayer, along with members of the central executive and working council, district and city ameers were present during the event.
The Ameer-e-Jamaat thanked everyone and said that after April 2011, we did not get the opportunity to organize such a program in last 14 long years. Allah Almighty has given us this opportunity again. For this, we offer a million thanks to the Almighty Allah, Alhamdulillah. From 2009 to August 5, 2024, the Awami League and their allies have ruled and exploited Bangladesh. Throughout this time, they have carried out various stages of repression against the opposition parties, especially the Islamist people of this country. They have committed at least three genocides. The first genocide took place at the then BDR headquarters in Peelkhana where we lost 57 smart, patriotic, and promising military officers. After this, the second genocide took place on May 5, 2013 at Shapla Chattar, where people were killed indiscriminately in the darkness by cutting off electricity at night during a rally called by Hefazat-e-Islam and the third genocide took place from mid-July to August 5 last year. Besides, many leaders and colleagues of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, and leaders and activists of various opposition political parties and religious scholars have been persecuted at the hands of fascism.
He said, by the infinite mercy of Allah Almighty, fascism fell on August 5 last year. You are witnesses, there was practically no government for the first three days. In countries where such changes have taken place, there has been massive loss of life and property. We have learned lessons from these surrounding events and felt the urgency to call on the nation to maintain peace, order and patience. We did that on the night of August 5.
He also said, after this change, our first task was to go to the families of the martyrs and stand by them. As a party, we certainly have limitations. Even then, from a place of humanitarian responsibility, we tried to go to the families of the martyrs. We tried to console them and provide them with as much support as possible as an organization. They also graciously accepted our support. After that, our priority was to look after those who were injured and disabled.
He further said, if there is instability in the country, if the country's economy collapses, then we will all be affected. For this, we all have a responsibility as citizens. However, as a constructive party seeking change, Jamaat's responsibility is much greater. That is why we always try to see from a positive perspective.
He said, we also demand fair justice for those who have committed murder, genocide, rape, murder, looting and kidnapping, and smuggled people's wealth abroad for 15 and a half years. They should not be able to escape through any loophole. They should be brought under the law and appropriate punishment should be ensured. We have been making this demand and we will continue to make this demand. Our demand will remain until this justice is ensured.
He said, we then set the priority, this government was formed on the basis of public aspirations. To cooperate with them in their just work. If we find any work that goes against the public interest, we will not cooperate, rather we will advise, protest and in special cases, prevent it again.
He said, of course the elections must be held fairly. In the interest of this fairness and objectivity, some reforms must be made. We are submitting our recommendations to the relevant commissions on this issue. We will appeal to all parties not to do politics for themselves. Politics should be carried out for the country and the people. The more we cooperate, the more the nation will benefit. The more fair and beautiful the next elections will be. We have already said that the nation wants to see the trial of the criminals. We also understand that it is not possible to do all the trials in this short time. Some trials must be done. So that the nation's confidence is created. The main criminals must be brought to justice and visible justice must be presented before the nation. We notice a weakness of the government, we want more speed in the trial. We want to see the government do this work more actively. If they are tried, then they will not be able to use the influence of black money and muscle power in the next elections. And perhaps no one will show such courage. But if there is no trial, there will be a fear of it. We want to see a quality parliament in our country to make this election meaningful. For this, elections must be freed from the influence of muscle power and black money.
He further said, elections should be held in a proportional representation system. 62 countries in the world follow this system. Most of the countries are known as developed countries and have become benefited. Those who started it once have not abandoned it. We have seen the traditional election system. In it, people nominated as lawmakers in the parliament, even those who cannot read, have become members of parliament. Will they write laws and give them to the people of Bangladesh? That is why we have said that it will be held in a proportional system. Whoever gets the highest percentage of votes will get the same number of seats. In this way, no one will dare to call any party small or big. Whether a party is small or big, it will be treated as a party and no party will be at anyone's mercy.
He said, very recently, the Women's Affairs Reform Committee submitted recommendations to the Chief Advisor. We are surprised, it is completely against our existing culture. They have brought some recommendations, there is no question of considering them. Not only that, some of their recommendations have been presented against the laws of Allah. If their recommendations are accepted, the Quranic directives will be changed. However, Allah Almighty has revealed the Quran and said, "I have revealed the Quran and I will protect it." No one has the authority to change a single letter or a single point here.
The Ameer-e-Jamaat said that the chief advisor has said that elections will be held between December this year and June 26 next year. There will be fasting at the end of February and two-thirds of March, followed by Eid. This is not the right time for any elections. We consider two times suitable for elections. One is before the month of February. The other is that if for some reason the reforms and the visible process of justice do not reach the level of creating trust in the public mind within this period, then maximum April and it should not be crossed.
He also said that after the changes of August 5, everyone should have shown respect to the blood of martyrs and disabled brothers and sisters. But some parties have completely failed to handle their own colleagues. That is why wherever we go, we hear that the rates are higher than before. Before the identified criminals are detained and taken to the police station, lobbying comes to the police station. This trend must be stopped.
He said, especially we are observing that the Palestinians are being oppressed in Gaza for years. We want it to end. In neighboring countries, including those where oppression is being done by inciting religious emotions, especially in the name of justice. Let it be stopped as well.
He sought dua and prayers from the countrymen and said, we are an oppressed party. Various parties have oppressed us over the ages. We do not want to take any revenge. However, in those places where we have been harmed, killed, injured, subjected to disappearances or otherwise harmed, we certainly have the right to seek redress through the law and we will.
He further said, "White papers should be published about them who have stolen the country's wealth and laundered it abroad since the independence, including the last 15 and a half years. The laundered money must be brought back. According to Bangladesh Bank, Tk 26 lakh crore has been laundered from Bangladesh in the last 15 and a half years. We want all the laundered money to be brought back and deposited in the state treasury and spent on public welfare.
He said, "A special request to our journalist friends, you are the som of this nation, the conscience, the mirror of this nation. Show the right and then the country will be grateful to you. We hope that you will act responsibly and come forward with courage."
We pray to the Almighty God that Allah may help us move forward on the path of building the Islamic welfare state based on the Quran that Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami wants to build." Thank you all so much. May Allah Almighty grant us all the strength to work together on the journey of nation building process.
