Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim, Amir of Islami Andolan Bangladesh (IAB) and the Pir of Charmonai, has stated that the country’s Islamic political parties are nearing a unified alliance ahead of the upcoming national elections.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday at the IAB auditorium in Purana Paltan, Dhaka, he said patriotic and humanitarian-minded groups are close to coming together under a single ballot box.
The press conference was organized to highlight five key demands including the legal implementation of the July voter list, holding national elections under a proportional representation (PR) system, ensuring a level playing field for all parties, bringing fascist elements and their accomplices to justice, and ensuring special tribunals for the National Party and the 14-party alliance.
Mufti Rezaul Karim remarked, “After our statement on August 5, we announced that Islamic parties would move together under one ballot box. Alhamdulillah, we are now very close to achieving that. This environment has been created by the grace of Allah.”
During the event, the IAB announced a three-day program to press for their five demands. The activities include a rally and protest march in Dhaka on September 18, protests in all divisional cities on September 19, and demonstrations in districts and upazilas across the country on September 26. Mufti Rezaul Karim emphasized that the movement will continue with stricter programs until the demands are met.
He also noted that the National Civic Party (NCP) is participating in the movement and supports the legal basis for the July voter list. Regarding whether the movement’s activities will be held on a single platform simultaneously, he said that will be clarified in due course, but the campaign is aimed at pressuring the government. The movement is being led by individuals who participated in the 2013 nationwide pro-democracy uprising.
Mufti Rezaul Karim reiterated the IAB’s position, stressing that their call for the next national election is based on the implementation of the July voter list and its legal recognition.
