Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Leader of the Opposition Shafiqur Rahman on Saturday said the party's biggest challenges were "imperialist forces" and social barriers, while claiming that Muslims were unfairly labelled as a communal group despite being part of a universal community.
He made the remarks while addressing the closing session of a three-day training camp for district and metropolitan working committee members of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami at Al-Falah Auditorium in Moghbazar, Dhaka, as the chief guest.
The training camp was moderated by central working committee member Dr Md Shamiul Haque Faruqui. Presentations on various topics were delivered by Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar, Assistant Secretary General Maulana ATM Masum, Dr AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad, Maulana Abdul Halim, Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Jubayer and other party leaders.
Speaking about Muslims in India and Kashmir, Shafiqur claimed that Muslims in India were not safe and remained under constant threat to their lives, property, honour and security. He also alleged that Muslims in Indian-administered Kashmir continued their struggle and had to shed their blood.
Referring to the history of the Indian subcontinent, he said Muslims had led the movement that resulted in the creation of Pakistan in 1947. He also said many people had been associated with Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami throughout its 86-year history, making sacrifices and laying down their lives, and claimed the nation would benefit from those sacrifices made in the path of Allah.
Highlighting the party's principles, Shafiqur said organisational discipline was one of Jamaat's greatest strengths. He said the organisation was founded on discipline, morality and accountability to Allah, and reminded delegates that a person's lifelong reputation and achievements could be overshadowed by a single mistake.
"People expected to entrust responsibility to a corruption-free party that would free society from corruption. Jamaat is the party suitable for that responsibility. Allah has entrusted us with as much responsibility as He considered us worthy of," he said.
He added: "If our goal is to bring Jamaat to power, then our scope extends to this world. But if our goal is to attain the satisfaction of Allah, then our scope extends to the Hereafter."
Shafiqur also called on people to suppress what he described as "animalistic instincts" within themselves before attempting to address broader societal problems.
"Those who hold firmly to the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah and the Book of Allah never lose their way. We must strengthen our weak homes, and that is only possible through the blessings of Allah," he said.
"Our society, organisation and country are built through the combined efforts of women and men. We must honour our mothers, support them in their work and encourage them to take part in religious activities."
On local government elections, Shafiqur said candidates should be selected based on their human qualities, lawful earnings, social acceptability and leadership ability, regardless of their organisational position. He added that such a process would help produce responsible leadership.