Dr Shafiqur Rahman, Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, said they want the current government to complete urgent reforms and ensure a fair and acceptable election, adding that people should elect those they trust and love.
He made this statement as the chief guest at a workers' conference organized by the district Jamaat on Saturday at Kushtia Government College grounds.
Dr Shafiqur Rahman said: "Jamaat aims to restore the lost glory of the nation. For this, we need everyone's cooperation. We hope you will stand by Jamaat's initiatives and support them.”
He added: “Jamaat leaders and activists will continue working to safeguard the country's independence and sovereignty, even at the cost of their lives."
He accused the Awami League saying: "The fascist Awami government has laundered Tk2.6 trillion in the last 15 and a half years, which is five times the national budget.”
He added: “Sheikh Rehana alone embezzled and laundered Tk57,000 crore from the Rooppur Nuclear Project. Every mega project undertaken has been a means of mega corruption. This looted money has been invested in places like Begumpara.”
“If they were true patriots, they would not have fled after plundering the nation's resources. Patriots do not run away; their aim was to deplete the nation’s wealth and intellectual resources," he further said.
The Jamaat Ameer also alleged saying: "Jamaat leaders and activists have been subjected to killings, abductions, and disappearances. Their homes and offices have been looted and bulldozed.”
He added: “This persecution was not limited to Jamaat; all patriotic parties and ordinary citizens have faced such unprecedented oppression. Jamaat’s registration has been cancelled and banned, while thousands of Islamic scholars have been handcuffed and dragged to prison."
Calling for price control, Dr Shafiqur Rahman said: "The Awami syndicates are still in place across all sectors, and new ones have also emerged. However, Jamaat does not want to see these old and new syndicates. We want to help the government destroy these syndicates with all our strength."
The conference was presided over by Professor Maulana Abul Hashem, district Jamaat Ameer, and moderated by Professor Sujauddin Jowardar, the district secretary.
Special guests included Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General Maulana Rafiqul Islam Khan, Central Executive Committee member and Jessore Regional Director Mubarak Hossain, Central Executive Committee member and Rajshahi Regional Director Principal Shahabuddin, regional team member Principal Khandaker AKM Ali Mohsin, Abdul Matin, and others.
From early Saturday morning, thousands of activists began gathering at the college grounds despite the bitter cold. As time passed, the conference venue and the city’s surroundings became packed with people.
Jamaat volunteers maintained strict vigilance, ensuring normal traffic flow in the city. For the convenience of the public, entrances to various roads were closed. Provisions were made for attendees to watch and listen to the speeches on projectors at the city’s central Eidgah ground, the Government College campus, and Mir Mosharraf Hossain Secondary School ground.
