Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has invited Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to attend its iftar programme along with his family.
The invitation was formally extended on Wednesday when Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar handed over the invitation letter to the prime minister at the Secretariat.
The iftar is scheduled to be held on Saturday at the China-Bangladesh Friendship Conference Center.
The prime minister cordially accepted the invitation and assured that he would attend, according to party leaders.
During the meeting at the Secretariat, the two leaders exchanged greetings. At one point, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman spoke over the phone with Jamaat Ameer and Leader of the Opposition, inquiring about his health.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Golam Parwar described it as the party’s first official meeting with the prime minister since the formation of the new government.
“We urged that the country be run in line with the people’s expectations,” he said, adding that the prime minister shared the government’s aspirations and spoke about adapting to the new responsibilities and environment.
“He sought cooperation from all,” Parwar said.
The Jamaat secretary general also said they discussed the need to avoid past “bad practices” in politics and stressed coordination and unity between the ruling party and the opposition.
“We emphasized that all political debates should take place in parliament.
Cooperation and differences in politics should be resolved in the House, while any street politics should remain within a disciplined framework under parliamentary democracy,” he added.
Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Maulana Abdul Halim was also present during the meeting and subsequent press briefing.
Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon confirmed that the invitation had been extended.