Acting Secretary General of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Maulana ATM Masum has issued the following statement on 13th March 2023 protesting and condemning the arrests of 58 religious people from a discussion program, held in the capital titled ‘Importance of Zakat in Islam’ and demanding their immediate unconditional release.

“Zakat is one of the five fundamental pillars of Islam. It is obligatory upon all Saheb-e-Nesab Muslims. Most of the religious people in our country are used to paying Zakat during the month of holy Ramadan. Accordingly, different political, social, and religious organizations organize discussion programs, and seminar-symposium ahead of the Ramadan month in order to encourage Muslims to pay their due Zakat.

As a part of the same initiative, a discussion program was arranged in Mirpur of the capital on last 11th March titled ‘Importance of Zakat in Islam’. Police have arrested 58 religious people from there unjustifiably. With this incident, the government has set the worst-ever example in history. I am vehemently protesting and condemning this arrest incident.

Such an incident in a Muslim-majority country is unwanted and unprecedented. The government’s anti-Islamic stance has been exposed through its ill activities. The countrymen think that the incumbent oppressor regime is not respectful toward religious freedom, human rights, and rule of law.

The ongoing movement for restoring democracy and human rights is getting intensified now. The government also understood that their time is going to end soon. As such, they are indiscriminately arresting opposition leaders and activists, particularly of Jamaat-e-Islami nationwide. But the just movement of the people can never be subdued by torture, repression, and arrest drives.

I am urging the countrymen to raise their voices against the incumbent autocratic regime. Besides, I am urging the concerned authorities to stop repression and to release all pious people, arrested from Mirpur immediately and unconditionally.