BNP woos religious parties

The BNP has taken an initiative to further strengthen its relations with Islamic parties and religious leaders in the country’s politics. In particular, the party is placing emphasis on increasing regular communication, exchanges of views and mutual cooperation with various Islamic political and religious organisations, including Hefazat-e-Islam.

BNP policymakers say the party wants to build political and social unity by taking into consideration the religious values, beliefs and expectations of a large section of the country’s population. At the same time, emphasis is being placed on increasing the participation of religious and social organisations in development, education, social values, humanitarian activities and public welfare initiatives in the country.

According to party leaders, the BNP has been showing respect for religious values and Islamic scholars since its establishment. At different times, the BNP has also reached political understandings and formed alliances with several Islamic parties in electoral politics. Therefore, they do not consider the current communication with Islamic parties to be a new political strategy; rather, they see it as a continuation of long-standing relations.

BNP leaders believe that in recent times, confusion has been created in the field of Islamic politics over various political statements, counter-campaigns and different information and data circulated on social media. They allege that a section of these campaigns is aimed at questioning the BNP’s long-standing relations with religious and Islamic organisations.

According to party leaders, the role of responsible Islamic scholars and organisations is important if any confusion is created using the name of religion. The BNP believes that political and social communication should be further expanded with those who believe in Islamic values, morality and politics based on public welfare.

In this regard, the issue of relations with Hefazat-e-Islam is also receiving importance. According to sources concerned, recently, Prime Minister’s Special Assistant Rashed Khan spoke privately with the Ameer of Hefazat-e-Islam on the issue.
BNP leaders claim that the party has had long-standing communication with Hefazat and various other religious and Islamic organisations. Although there are political differences, the party believes that mutual communication and dialogue should continue in the interest of religious values and the country.

Meanwhile, there is also discussion within the BNP about the party’s relations with various political groups, including Jamaat-e-Islami. BNP leaders say that they want to respond to political statements or social media-based campaigns by various quarters not through confrontation, but by making their political position, programmes and future plans clear to the people.

Regarding this, BNP Acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi told The Daily Observer, “The BNP has always believed in Islamic values. Discussions with Islamic parties are continuing. In every movement in the past, Islamic parties acceptable to all sections of society were with us. We are moving forward with the determination to build the country with those parties that believe in democracy, genuinely practise Islam and have an uncompromising commitment to Bangladesh.”

BNP Chairman’s Adviser Zainul Abdin Faruk MP told The Daily Observer, “ BNP is a party that believes in multiparty democracy and Islamic values. Therefore, forming an alliance with Islamic parties in the interest of Islam and the country would not be wrong. However, there will be no alliance with those who do not believe in the country’s independence and those who always engage in hypocrisy.”

Another adviser to the BNP chairman, Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal told The Daily Observer, “We also want to strengthen relations with Jamaat. But if they suddenly change direction, what can we do? In 1986, they changed their route and participated in Ershad’s rigged election; in 1996, they made a U-turn and joined the movement with the Awami League; even in 2007, they said that they would not take responsibility for the BNP. Bangladesh comes first. We want to further strengthen good relations with political parties that give importance to Islam.”

BNP leaders say the objective of strengthening relations with religious and social organisations is not limited to political understandings. Emphasis is also being placed on involving these organisations in development and public welfare activities in the country. The party believes that there is an opportunity for them to play a positive role in education, social values, humanitarian assistance and public awareness activities.

Party leaders claim that BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman also has a positive attitude towards showing due respect to Islamic scholars, religious personalities and Islamic thinkers. 

The BNP wants to move forward with various religious and social forces towards building an inclusive and public welfare-oriented state while respecting religious values.

Overall, BNP leaders view the initiative to deepen relations with Islamic parties and religious leaders as part of the party’s broader efforts to expand political and social communication. 

According to them, through regular dialogue, mutual respect and cooperation, it is possible to involve various organisations with religious values more actively in the country’s development and public welfare activities.