Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s Acting Secretary General Maulana ATM Masum has issued the following statement on 4th February 2023 protesting and condemning the unjustified arrest of 9 Jamaat leaders and activists from Bogra district.

A prayer program was held in the house of Bogra district’s Shibganj Upazila’formermer Ameer and former UP chairman Abdul Khaleq. Police has arrested 9 Jamaat leaders from that program including Bogra west organizational district’s Nayeb-e-Ameer Maulana Momtaz Uddin and Upazila Jamaat Ameer Professor Abdul Halim. I am vehemently condemning the arrest drive.

The government has seized the rights of freedom of expression and other fundamental rights. The entire nation has turned into a police state. Law enforcement agencies, instead of playing their due responsibility, are being used as a tool of oppression. History says the consequence of subduing the dissident views would be dangerous.

Jamaat-e-Islami is a systematic and democratic political party. The constitution allows all parties to operate their political activities. Nobody has the right to deprive any party of exercising these rights.

I am urging my fellow countrymen to raise their voices against the autocratic government. Besides, I am calling upon the concerned authorities to stop repression and also to release all detained Jamaat leaders and activists including Maulana Momtaz Uddin and Professor Abdul Halim immediately.