Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami does not fear or care about any threats from any state when it comes to the issue of Bangladesh’s independence and sovereignty.
"Jamaat is working for a sustainable and acceptable democracy," said Dr. Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher, Jamaat’s Nayeb-e-Ameer, during a discussion with National Consensus Commission at LD Hall of National Parliament Building on Saturday.
He said that wherever there is a need to add or remove something for welfare of the country and the nation, Jamaat does not and will not prioritize personal or party interests. Rising above all that, Jamaat-e-Islami fully agrees with reforms and changes that are necessary for betterment of the country and its people.
Nayeb-e-Ameer of Jamaat stated that Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami is firmly committed to a few key issues. First and foremost is the independence and sovereignty of Bangladesh. For this, Jamaat does not fear any threats of any state and does not accept interference from anyone regarding independence.
Secondly, Jamaat-e-Islami is committed to a credible and sustainable democracy.
He said that this democratic practice starts not just within the state, but also within the party itself. Their party elections are held on time, without any campaigning, without declared candidates and without panels, through open ballot.
“We say this is our uniqueness; no campaign, no candidate, no panel,” he added. Jamaat believes such democratic practices can be reintroduced in the country.
Taher said Jamaat wants a transparent, acceptable and neutral election in Bangladesh. “We want an election that the people of this country and the world can recognize as a real election,” he stated.
He criticized elections of the past three terms, saying they were not real elections and that measures were taken simply to stay in power without public mandate, with no accountability. “We are all paying the price for that now, and we don’t want a repeat of it,” he added.
Jamaat leader also said that Jamaat wants a corruption-free Bangladesh. He believes corruption is a major cause behind the country’s current crisis. “If a person is not corrupt, there would be no opportunity for disorder. Holding elections without votes is major corruption, earning money without effort is major corruption and enjoying development funds in the name of corruption is major corruption,” he said.
He also mentioned reports that $230–235 billion worth of funds were laundered by one or two individuals. “If this money had been spent on education, healthcare, food, housing, and development, Bangladesh wouldn’t be in this condition,” he added. Jamaat strongly demands a corruption-free and accountable Bangladesh.
He concluded by assuring National Consensus Commission that Jamaat-e-Islami will fully cooperate in constructive, positive and practically realistic reforms.
The meeting was moderated by the Chief Adviser’s special assistant Monir Haider.
Among the attendees from the National Consensus Commission were Vice-President Professor Ali Riaz, Safar Raj Hossain, Justice Emdadul Haque, Dr. Badiul Alam Majumdar and Dr. Iftekharuzzaman.
From Jamaat’s side, participants included Secretary General and former MP Professor Mia Golam Porwar, Assistant Secretary General Maulana Rafiqul Islam Khan, Dr. Hamidur Rahman Azad, Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair, Central Executive Council Member Saiful Alam Khan Milon and Secretary of Central Media and Publicity Department Advocate Matiur Rahman Akand.
SH
