Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman has said, "Religion belongs to individuals, but Bangladesh belongs to all.
We want to ensure peaceful coexistence for Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, and Christians in this country. People of all faiths should be able to live with dignity. There is no such thing as a minority here."
He made these remarks on Tuesday while addressing a views-exchange meeting as the chief guest at the Kulaura Municipality auditorium in Moulvibazar.
Highlighting the party's stance during religious festivities, the Jamaat Ameer said, "Following the uprising of August 5, amid fears of sabotage during the Hindu community's biggest religious festival, Durga Puja, our party activists voluntarily stood guard at temples. This was not a state obligation, but a moral one. We stayed with the Hindu brothers for as long as they felt it was necessary."
Questioning why such religious sites need guarding in the first place, he added, "In the future, you will celebrate Puja without the need for any protection. If any oppressor commits injustice, you must protest and resist. We will stand united with you in that resistance."
Dr Shafiqur Rahman clarified that Jamaat-e-Islami does not engage in the politics of vengeance or retaliation. "Revenge never brings peace. If anyone falls victim to violence, they should seek justice through legal means. The existing laws are sufficient to deliver justice," he said.
The meeting was presided over by Professor Md Abdul Muntazim, Ameer of the Kulaura upazila unit of Jamaat, and moderated by General Secretary Belal Ahmed Chowdhury. Among the speakers were Dr Arunava Dey, President of the Kulaura Upazila Puja Celebration Committee; Rajat Kanti Bhattacharya, Convenor of the Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Unity Council; Soumya Pradip Bhattacharya Sajal, retired principal of Kulaura Government College and Ajay Das, Secretary of the Puja Celebration Committee.
