On the morning of 28th May, Wednesday, former Acting Secretary General of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and victim of severe oppression, ATM Azharul Islam was released from the prison cell of Bangladesh Medical University. On this occasion, a brief reception was organized at Shahbagh intersection of the capital in honor of ATM Azharul Islam.

The event was conducted by Jamaat-e-Islami’s Acting Secretary General, Maulana ATM Masum. Among others, Nayeb-e-Ameer and former MP Professor Mujibur Rahman, former MP Dr. Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher, Assistant Secretary General Maulana Rafiqul Islam Khan, former MP Dr. Hamidur Rahman Azad, Maulana Abdul Halim, Advocate Moyazzem Hossain Helal, Advocate Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair, Central Executive Council Member Saiful Alam Khan Milon, Central Executive Council Member and Secretary of the Central Publicity and Media Department Advocate Matiur Rahman Akanda, Central Executive Council Members Abdur Rob, Principal Shahabuddin, and Mobarak Hossain, Central Executive Council Member and Ameer of Dhaka City South Nurul Islam Bulbul, Central Executive Council Member and Ameer of Dhaka City North Md. Selim Uddin, Central Working Committee Member and President of Bangladesh Lawyers Council Advocate Jashimuddin Sarker, Nayeb-e-Ameer of Bangladesh Khilafat Andolon Mufti Sultan Mohiuddin and Secretary General Mufti Fakhrul Islam, JAGPA's Vice President and Spokesperson Engineer Rashed Prodhan, Bangladesh Labour Party’s Vice Chairman S.M. Yusuf, Dhaka City South Jamaat’s Secretary Dr. Shafiqul Islam Masud, Secretary of Dhaka City North Dr. Rezaul Karim, Central Working Committee Members Shamiul Haque Faruqi and Maulana Khalilur Rahman Madani, Secretary General of Islami Chhatrashibir Nurul Islam Saddam, martyr Maulana Matiur Rahman Nizami’s son Barrister Nazibur Rahman Momen, Allamaa Delwar Hossain Sayeedee’s son Masood Sayedee, martyr Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujahid’s son Ali Ahmad Mabrur, ATM Azharul Islam’s son Tasnim Azhar Sumon, martyr Abdul Quader Molla’s son Hasan Jamil, and the legal counsels for Mr. ATM Azharul Islam were present on the occasion.

Jamaat Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman on the occasion said, “We had already clarified that this is not a formal meeting. This is just a small event to hear the initial thoughts of our oppressed brother, our oppressed leader. Despite the intense heat, all of you have come here.

He further said: ‘Soon, Insha Allah, we will hear this respected brother speak on a larger scale—right here in Dhaka, Insha’Allah. That is why I don't wish to prolong my speech today. I just want to express my gratitude to Allah, the Almighty, who kept this man alive, even though he was subjected to the unjust torment of a death sentence hanging over his head for a long 14 years. Allah has preserved his life and returned him to us—Alhamdulillah. Please, everyone, pray for our brother—may Allah grant him a long and righteous life, keep him healthy, and enable him to continue fulfilling his important responsibilities for the nation.

Ameer-e-Jamaat added: ‘A moment ago, someone said here that under my leadership, fascism has fallen. I completely disagree. I believe it is through the united efforts of this country's 180 million oppressed people that the tyrannical government has fallen. We give the main credit to Allah, and the credit on this earth belongs to the people of this nation. We must remain united. For the sake of the nation, we will walk the same path and overcome all conspiracies to move forward, Insha’Allah. May everyone stay well.’
The recently released former Acting Secretary General and oppressed leader, ATM Azharul Islam, said: ‘Alhamdulillah, after spending nearly 14 years in prison, I was released this morning. I am now free. I am a free citizen in a free country.

He further said, “Since we have arranged this gathering by blocking the road, I will keep my remarks brief so that the public is not greatly inconvenienced. Of course, we will meet again, Insha’Allah. First and foremost, I want to express my gratitude to the Almighty Allah, the Lord of the Worlds, who has decreed this judgment from the heavens. Then, I would like to thank our honorable judiciary, who are now playing a leading role in establishing justice. For a long time, justice did not prevail; the courts were misused for personal and political interests. I hope in the coming days; the judiciary will continue to fulfill its duties in accordance with the hopes and expectations of the people.

He said, “I would like to thank the lawyers who were appointed for my case. As far as I have learned from newspapers and understood, they were able to present the baselessness of the case, filed against me with great clarity and skill through sound logic and reasoning. It is now internationally recognized how the previous government, through this case, brutally executed our leaders and removed them from the world.

I also want to thank those because of whom I have had the opportunity to be freed today—the revolutionary leaders of the ‘36 July’ movement, that is, August 5. It was through their relentless efforts and movements that the tyrannical fascist regime was forced to step down.

I especially want to thank the student community who have revived the glory of their past. The students came down to the streets, shed their blood, and with the people, built a movement against the oppression of the fascist regime that lasted over fifteen and a half years. It was the student community that shattered the pride, arrogance, and ego of the fascists and brought about what can be called the second independence of the country. I also want to thank our patriotic armed forces, who have sided with the people, because of whom today we are free.

Finally, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to those who, for the sake of Allah, prayed for my release, fasted, and even made vows. They did so out of love for the Islamic movement and for Islam itself. May Allah grant them the best of rewards.”

Azharul Islam continued, “With deep sorrow, grief, and a heavy heart, I remember those who were my leaders, who were unjustly executed. They were victims of judicial killings. I recall with utmost respect our martyred leaders: Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Shaheed Maulana Matiur Rahman Nizami, Shaheed Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujahid, Shaheed Muhammad Kamaruzzaman, Shaheed Abdul Quader Molla, and Shaheed Mir Quasem Ali.

I also remember those who, through false and fabricated cases, were detained in prison and pushed toward death in a premeditated manner including former Ameer of Jamaat Professor Ghulam Azam, former Nayeb-e-Ameer Maulana Abul Kalam Muhammad Yusuf, Maulana Abdus Subhan, Allama Delwar Hossain Sayedee, and Abdul Khaleq Mandal. Alongside them, I also recall BNP leader Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury, who was hanged. I further remember former Ameer Mr. Maqbul Ahmad and Nayeb-e-Ameer Professor A.K.M. Nazir Ahmad.

May Allah, the Lord of the Worlds, accept their martyrdom. Ameen. I express my sympathy to the bereaved families of all these brothers. May Allah grant them patience and strength to endure this loss.

He added, ‘Those who were involved in these executions—at whatever level—must be brought under the law and held accountable. Otherwise, this dangerous culture will continue. We must break free from it.’

He concluded saying that ‘I want to call upon the people of Bangladesh through all of you—this country belongs to us, to all of us. Let us move forward to build this nation according to the hopes, dreams, and aspirations of its people. You must remain with us. Pray for me—I seek nothing more. If we can establish the faith (Deen), that alone will be my greatest reward; there is no other reward I seek. Let everyone play their part from wherever they are. With this hope, I conclude my brief remarks.’