Jamaat-e-Islami Amir: ‘We do not want Bangladesh to become a country of Mafia rule’

Jamaat-e-Islami‍‍`s Ameer, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, expressed strong views about the future of Bangladesh during a public rally held on Wednesday morning at the Panchagarh Sugar Mill grounds. 

He made it clear that he does not want to see the country continue to be shaped by "Godfathers, Godmothers, or mafia rule."

During his speech, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman addressed the issue of majority and minority communities in the country. 

He stated, “What does majority or minority mean? Anyone born in this country is a proud citizen of Bangladesh. We are against dividing the citizens based on religion or political affiliation.” 

He criticized the past authoritarian regime for dividing the nation and creating division among the people. 

"A country where people cannot stay united cannot stand tall in the global arena. It has been 54 years since our independence—how much longer will we allow ourselves to be divided? Our clear stance is that we do not recognize majority or minority,” he emphasized.

The event, which was attended by supporters from various areas, was chaired by Iqbal Hossain, the Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami in Panchagarh District. 

Several leaders also spoke at the rally, including Fazlur Rahman, Coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement in Panchagarh, Mir Morshed Tuhin, President of Khalafat Majlis Panchagarh, Masudur Rahman, President of the Bangladesh Development Party, and Barrister Tasmiya Pradhan, President of the National Democratic Party (JAPA). Ratan Chandra Roy, a member of the Hindu community in the area, also delivered a speech.

Supporters began gathering in the early morning from different parts of the district, joining small processions as they made their way to the rally. 

There were even attendees from outside the district, showing wide support for the event.

Dr. Shafiqur Rahman also extended his condolences to the families of the 72 Hindu victims of the tragic boat accident in Panchagarh in 2022. 

He said, “We have embraced you as part of our family. We will live with that feeling, InshaAllah, for as long as we live. We want to build Bangladesh into a humane country. We no longer want Bangladesh to be a country of Godfathers, Godmothers, mafia control, or fascism."

He also touched upon international relations, particularly with neighboring India, stating, “All countries are members of the global community. India is our closest neighbor. We do not wish to cause unnecessary suffering to our neighbors. However, if our neighbor imposes anything on us that undermines the dignity of the people of Bangladesh, we will not hesitate to take action in the country‍‍`s interest. We will act based on our conscience and sense of responsibility.”

As his speech concluded, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman called on the people to come together and support the nation-building efforts. 

He expressed a desire for love and unity from everyone. After the rally, he headed to the Panchagarh Circuit House to meet with local Jamaat-e-Islami women members and other key individuals, before leaving for Domar in Nilphamari.

This rally clearly marked a strong call for national unity and an end to division, as Dr. Shafiqur Rahman urged citizens to stand together in building a better future for Bangladesh.