Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s Secretary General and former lawmaker Professor Mia Golam Porwar has issued the following statement on 20 May 2021 protesting and condemning the arrest of 25 Jamaat leaders and activists from a peaceful demonstration in Kushtia district in protest of the ongoing Israeli aggression and the brutalities of the occupation forces.

Israeli occupation forces have been attacking the Gaza strip and its establishments every day. The number of casualties is increasing alarmingly. Even the women and kids are not spared from these aggressions. Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami organized peaceful demonstrations nationwide protesting the Israeli brutalities. But police obstructed those peaceful programs. Kushtia district Jamaat also organized a same peaceful protest. But following the program, police harassed the Jamaat men by carrying raid into different houses. Police then arrested 14 Jamaat men from Kushtia town, 4 from Mirpur Upazila. In total, police arrested 25 men from different spots of the district. We are protesting and condemning such fascist attitudes and activities of the government.

Centering the Palestine issue, the world is divided into two parts now. One is supporting the Palestinians whilst the other is extending support to the brutal Israelis. Jamaat and several other organizations have been organizing several protest demonstrations against the Israeli brutalities and in favor of the oppressed Palestinians. But unfortunately, police are arresting people from these demonstrations. The question is, by obstructing and arresting people, whose interest they are serving now? The government has not imposed any embargo on holding processions in favor of Palestine. Then why they are arresting people from such demonstrations? I am calling upon the Muslim communities across the world to raise voice supporting the Palestinians.

I am urging the concerned authorities to release all the detainees who have been arrested from the demonstration programs immediately. Besides, I am calling upon the world communities to undertake effective measures to materialize an immediate ceasefire.