Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami's Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, said, “We do not seek the victory of the 8 parties; we seek the victory of the 180 million people of Bangladesh. We want a corruption-free society based on justice, and economic independence. We want no subservience to anyone—we want to continue the struggle to establish a truly independent state.”
He made these remarks while delivering the keynote address on Monday (1 December) afternoon at the Divisional rally in Khulna organized by the agitating 8 parties at the historic Babri Square (Shib Bari Mor) in the city.
Presided over by the Ameer of Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Pir Sahib Charmonai Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim, the special guests included the Ameer of Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish Allama Mamunul Haque, Senior Nayeb-e-Ameer of Khelafat Majlish Maulana Sakhawat Hossain, Secretary General of Bangladesh Nezam-e-Islam Party Mufti Musa bin Izhar, Secretary General of Bangladesh Khelafat Andolan Maulana Yusuf Sadiq Hakkani, Vice-President and Spokesperson of the Jatio Gonotanrik Party, JAGPA Engineer Rashed Pradhan, Chairman of Bangladesh Development Party (BDP) Advocate Anwarul Islam Chan, Central Nayeb-e-Ameer of Islami Andolan Bangladesh Principal Maulana Abdul Awal, Secretary General Principal Hafiz Maulana Yunus Ahmad, Assistant Secretary General of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and former MP Dr. Hamidur Rahman Azad, Secretary General of JAGPA Professor Iqbal Hossain, and Senior Joint Secretary General of Khelafat Majlish Advocate Jahangir Hossain.
The rally began at 12 noon with the recitation of the Holy Qur’an. Conducted by Advocate Sheikh Jahangir Hossain Helal, Central Majlish-e-Shura Member and Khulna City Secretary of Jamaat-e-Islami, and Sheikh Muhammad Nasir Uddin, City Vice-President of Islami Andolan Bangladesh, the speakers included Organizational Secretary of Bangladesh Khelafat Andolan Mufti Sultan Mohiuddin, Secretary of Bangladesh Masjid Mission Maulana Khalilur Rahman Madani, Central Organizational Secretary and Khulna Regional coordinator of Jamaat-e-Islami Muhaddis Abdul Khaleq, Member of Central Working Committee and Khulna Region Assistant coordinator Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Central Industry and Commerce Secretary of Islami Andolan Bangladesh Maulana Shoaib Hossain, Central Organizational Secretary of Islami Andolan Bangladesh Mufti Mostafa Kamal, Central Organizational Secretary of Khelafat Majlish Master M. A. Majid, Central Joint Secretary General of Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish Mufti Sharif Saeedur Rahman, Majlish-e-Shura Member of Jamaat-e-Islami and Khulna Regional Team Member Muhaddis Rabiul Bashar, Central Majlish-e-Shura Member and Khulna City Ameer Professor Mahfuzur Rahman, Central Majlish-e-Shura Member and Khulna District Ameer Maulana Muhammad Emran Hossain, Satkhira District Ameer Muhammad Shahidul Islam Mukul, Bagerhat District Ameer Maulana Rezaul Karim, Khulna District Nayeb-e-Ameer Ameer Principal Maulana Kabirul Islam, Bagerhat MP Candidate Principal Abdul Alim, former MP Gazi Nazrul Islam, Khulna City President of Islami Andolan Bangladesh Mufti Amanullah, Khulna District President Professor Maulana Abdullah Imran, Khulna City Vice-President Sheikh Muhammad Nasir Uddin, Central Member of Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish Mufti Waliullah Mahmud, Khulna District Vice-President of Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish Mufti Abdul Kaiyum Jomaddar, Khulna City President of Khelafat Majlish F. M. Harun-or-Rashid, Khulna District President Mawlana Emdadul Haque, JAGPA Khulna Division Coordinator Md. Nizam Uddin Amit, Khulna City General Secretary of Bangladesh Khelafat Andolan Hafiz Maulana Mujahidul Islam, Khulna District General Secretary Mufti Ibrahim Khalil, Khulna Division Coordinator of Bangladesh Nezam-e-Islam Party Md. Zakir Hossain Khan, Khulna City President of BDP Advocate Md. Hanif Uddin, Khulna City President of Jamaat’s Youth Wing Makarrom Billah Ansari, District President of Youth Andolan Fazlul Haque Fahad, City General Secretary Mominul Islam Nasir, Central Executive Council Member and City President of Islami Chhatrashibir Arafat Hossain Milon, Khulna District President of Chhatrashibir Yusuf Fakir, and District President of Chhatra Andolan Md. Farhad Molla.
The Jamaat Ameer said that since the day after the 5 August revolution, a certain group has been attacking the public in an attempt to assert dominance over the country. Extortion, corruption, and chaos continue. Many people, without being in power, are already displaying the arrogance of power and influencing the administration. People are being forced to admit that although situations were not previously ideal, they have now become worse. He claimed that no Islamic party has ever been accused of extortion.
Addressing those aged 35 and younger who could not vote in the past three parliamentary elections, the Jamaat Ameer said, “This time we will not allow anyone to tamper with your votes. That day, I too will become young and fight alongside you to protect your voting rights.” Addressing the young voters, he added, “We want to hand over this country to you. Prepare yourselves. You will not seek jobs, rather you will create jobs.”
The Jamaat Ameer further lsaid that in the 54 years since independence, the cherished dreams of the people remain largely unfulfilled. Although there has been some visible development, it is not real development. What matters is whether justice and social good governance prevail. He noted that the national education system runs in two streams: madrasa education and school-college-university education. “There is no murder or violence in madrasas, rather there is pursuit of knowledge. In contrast, in 54 years, the innocent children became victims of terrorism in colleges and universities. Drugs and alcohol have spread; girls have been assaulted; weapons have clattered. To become a civilized nation, we must become corruption-free country.” He alleged that some parties and individuals have repeatedly made Bangladesh the champion of corruption, tarnishing the nation’s reputation.
He further alleged that in many places their banners, posters, and festoons are being torn down. “But people no longer decide their votes by looking at posters. They have taken us into their hearts. Until the 5-point public demand of the agitating 8 parties is fulfilled, the movement will continue on the streets,” he said, adding that the unity formed among Islamic parties will take them to the National Parliament, Insha Allah. He also warned that if necessary, another 5 August may occur again.
In his presidential address, the Ameer of Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Pir Sahib Charmonai Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim, said, “Some say we are not prepared for the election. But we are fully prepared. Rather, after calculating the February election, they realized the ground beneath their feet has slipped. They have started conspiring regarding the election. If they think they can seize centers, terrorize voters, and capture power, they are wrong. Forget such dreams—they will never get that opportunity again.”
In his special guest speech, Allama Mamunul Haque, Ameer of Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, said that post–July Revolution Bangladesh is clearly divided into two sides: one is aligned with the 1972 Bakshal ideology, and the other with the 2024 revolutionary ideology. “After crossing a sea of blood, the fascism that was removed in the July Revolution of 2024 will never return to the soil of Bengal. We united to give the July Declaration its legal foundation. To finalize it legally, a referendum must be held. Do not ruin this historic opportunity by mixing things up. Hold the referendum before the national election.” He added that if the interim government fails, history will not forgive them. He asked everyone to pray for the recovery of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia.
Special guest Maulana Sakhawat Hossain, Senior Nayeb-e-Ameer of Khelafat Majlish, said that the fascist government had turned the country into a bottomless basket. “They thought they would cling to power until 2041. If the 8 parties come to power, there will be no extortion. The people are united—no one can break this unity, InshaAllah.”
Special guest Mufti Musa bin Izhar, Secretary General of Bangladesh Nezam-e-Islam Party, said, “Khulna—the city of Khan Jahan Ali, the city of silver. Those who stand against reform will be rejected by the people in the next election. Those who oppose Shariah law will be shown the red card. Maintaining our ironclad unity, we will establish an Islamic parliament, Insha Allah.”
Special guest Maulana Yusuf Sadiq Hakkani, Secretary General of Bangladesh Khelafat Andolan, said, “The constitution of this country will be the Qur’an of Allah. The parliament will be formed with Qur’anic laws. We will resist every conspiracy. People must be made aware that there is no peace except under the law of Allah.”
Special guest Engineer Rashed Pradhan, Vice-President and Spokesperson of the Jatio Gonotanrik Party–JAGPA, said, “Those who claimed that the Secretary General of Islami Andolan would not be allowed to enter Khulna—let them now see how Babri Square has overflowed with people who love Islam. A level playing field must be created for the national election. The Jatiya Party and the Awami League must be banned. On 5 August, the people showed that they do not want Hindutva in this country. The people do not want extortion. Regarding the referendum, he said: Vote ‘Yes’ in the referendum; stamp the symbol of the 8-party alliance.”
Special guest Advocate Anwarul Islam Chan, Chairman of BDP, said, “After July, no one will have to sacrifice their lives needlessly. We are united against traitors. The people of this country do not want to act as agents of foreign powers. They want liberation, not servitude.”
Local leaders at the rally said that people must decide whether those attempting to establish fascism in this country will be accepted or rejected. If the 8-party alliance works together on the ground, the future Bangladesh will be peaceful and corruption-free. The people have united behind the 8-point demands. The struggle for truth must continue. The 8-party alliance must contest the next election to establish justice. The 8 parties will govern the country in the days ahead, InshaAllah. They said that the opportunity will come to work for the oppressed people in the National Parliament. Those now suffering from extortion and land grabbing must bring the 8-party alliance to power through their votes.
Message Sent By:
Dr. Hamidur Rahman Azad (Former MP)
Coordinator, Liaison Committee of the 8 Agitating Parties
