Secretary General of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and former lawmaker Professor Mia Golam Porwar has issued the following statement on 29 February 2020 protesting and condemning the unjustified arrest of 10 party leaders and activists of Cox’s Bazar district including Maheshkhali Upazila Jamaat Secretary.

“Police has unlawfully arrested Maheshkhali Upazila Jamaat Secretary and 10 other party leaders and activists.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami is a systematic and democratic Islamic party. Jamaat has been working for years for the welfare and benefit of the people. In order to facilitate the activities, Jamaat leaders and activists have taken part in the social programs and other activities.

Several leaders and activists of Jamaat-e-Islami including Upazila secretary attended a marriage ceremony in Maheshkhali on 28 February, Friday. It was not a political program. But such an incident of arresting people from a social gathering is really painful and regrettable. Historically, there is a tradition of nurturing communal harmony and mutual bondage through social programs. But this government is creating bar against such traditions as well. I am vehemently protesting the authority’s move of arresting people from a social function.

I am urging the concerned authorities to release all the detained leaders and activists including Maheshkhali Upazila Jamaat secretary immediately.