Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s Acting Secretary General Maulana ATM Masum has issued the following statement on 4th April 2022 protesting and condemning the unjustified arrest of Sirajganj district Jamaat Ameer Maulana Shahinur Alam and 14 other leaders and activists of Islami Chhatrashibir from an organizational meeting and Iftar Mahfil arranged by Bangladesh Islami Chhatrashibir Sirajganj district.
“Police has arrested Sirajganj district Jamaat Ameer Maulana Shahinur Alam and 14 other leaders and activists of Islami Chhatrashibir from an organizational meeting and Iftar Mahfil held in Sirajganj municipality’s Darul Islam Academy High School, arranged by Bangladesh Islami Chhatrashibir Sirajganj district. The other detainees are Islami Chhatrashibir Sirajganj district President Torikul Islam, Town Secretary Imran Hossain, district Secretary Alhaj Uddin, district office secretary Abdul Aziz, district’s Publication Secretary Aiyub Ali, Chhatrashibir member Monirul Islam, Abdus Salam, Enayetpur thana Chhatrashibir President Jakaria Hossain, Shahjadpur West Thana Secretary Shariful Islam, Ullapara Kamil Madrasa President Al Amin Hossain, and Secretary Hafez Monirul Islam. Police concocted a story of recovering cocktails from the detainees and subsequently, the district court sent them to jail in connection with that case. I am vehemently protesting such unjustified arrest and filing of a false case against Jamaat and Chhatrashubir leaders.
Islami Chhatrashibir is the most popular and prime Islamic student organization in Bangladesh. They have been continuing their constructive activities in academic institutions with high reputations. They are relentlessly turning to turn the students into noble, obedient sons of their parents. Because of their efforts, the nation has become enriched with numerous ideal and honest citizens. They are discharging their duties in various government and non-government offices with skills and efficiency and making significant contributions to the welfare of the nations.
The holy month of Ramadan has just begun. The month is being observed in this Muslim majority country with due fervor. Iftar Mahfil is a traditional program of this month and it has been observed in this country for years. The government has committed a crime by arresting Jamaat and Chhatrashibir men from such an Iftar Mahfil. Right now, the law and order situation in the country has deteriorated alarmingly. But instead of arresting the offenders, the government is arresting the fasting people, which is really regretable. This kind of incident cannot be accepted in a Muslim majority country like Bangladesh.
I am urging the concerned authorities to stop their repression and torture and to release Sirajganj district Jamaat Ameer Maulana Shahinur Alam and 14 other leaders and activists of Islami Chhatrashibir immediately.