Assistant Secretary General of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and Head of the party’s Central Propaganda and Media Department Advocate Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair issued a statement today, 15 September, condemning and protesting the remarks made by Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh Ameer Maulana Muhibbullah Babunagari that involve the name of Jamaat-e-Islami.

In the statement, he said that in the 15 September edition of the daily Inqilab, on the front page under the headline, “If Jamaat comes to power, the existence of Qawmi, Deobandi, and Sunnia madrasas will not remain,” Maulana Muhibbullah Babunagari’s remark is false and fabricated. There is not a shred of truth in his remarks. His statement is completely baseless. Such groundless comments are unbecoming of a scholar of his stature. I hereby condemn and protest his statement.

He further stated that Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami is a democratic political party rooted in Islamic principles. Since its establishment, Jamaat-e-Islami has served Islam by founding numerous mosques, madrasas, and orphanages across the country. Many of Jamaat’s leaders, workers, and well-wishers are actively engaged in religious service through the establishment of Qawmi madrasas. There is no evidence that any leader or worker of Jamaat-e-Islami has ever opposed Qawmi, Deobandi, or Sunnia madrasas.

He added that from 2001 to 2006, two ministers from Jamaat-e-Islami held office. No one can provide evidence that they opposed Qawmi, Deobandi, or Sunnia madrasas. On the contrary, they extended unconditional support and cooperation to such madrasas. This proves that Maulana Muhibbullah Babunagari’s concerns are false and unfounded. Therefore, propaganda of this kind cannot mislead the public.

I call upon all concerned to refrain from making false and fabricated statements against Jamaat-e-Islami and hope that the authority of the daily Inqilab will publish this protest appropriately to dispel any confusion among the public.