Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman has said that the party’s activists are not involved in extortion or land-grabbing anywhere in the country.
Shafiqur Rahman made this statement while addressing the activists' conference organized by the district Jamaat in Sunamganj at the Government High School ground on Saturday.
He said: "After the change in the country, our workers have not engaged in occupying markets, water bodies, or sand mines. No one from our party is involved in these activities. Our workers are not involved in case or arrest-based business. They know these are forbidden."
Shafiqur Rahman also called for the priority trial of those involved in murders and abductions, saying: "This is not for revenge. It is so that those who commit murder, the killers, face the consequences, and others learn from it. We must ensure justice to cleanse human society."
He added: "Our leaders and workers bear much pain, sorrow, and grief. But we have made it clear that we will not take the law into our hands. We have faced much oppression.”
He further added: “Our leaders have been sentenced to death in false cases. The registration of our party has been cancelled. Finally, our party has been banned, leaving us directionless."
Recalling the July-August uprising, Shafiqur Rahman said: "Our children took to the streets demanding justice and a society free from discrimination. They gave us a free environment with their blood, we must fulfil their dreams.”
He also said: “They do not want a corrupt society; they want to build the best society. So, we must create a country with respect and dignity, free from discrimination. Jamaat-e-Islami is moving forward with the dream of building that country."
He assured that if Jamaat-e-Islami comes to power, the party will prioritize education, saying: "In many countries, jobs are secured after completing education. We will prioritize education, especially moral education. We will ensure that after graduation, students find respectable jobs based on their qualifications."
Addressing those who criticize the party, Shafiqur Rahman said: "Criticize us. Those who criticize us are our friends. We are human too, and we can make mistakes.”
He added: “However, any accusation must be based on truth. If the accusations are false, then stand by us, help us in good work, and give us a place in your hearts."
He also said that Jamaat-e-Islami does not believe in division based on religion or ethnicity, saying: "There is no concept of majority or minority. The Constitution has given equal rights to everyone. We believe in the respect and dignity of all."
On security, Shafiqur Rahman said: "We do not want a situation where guards are posted at different places of worship after a change in the country. We want to create a social safety net where mosques, temples, pagodas, and monasteries will not need guards.”
He added: “However, there are always some wrongdoers who create disturbances. After August 5, we arranged continuous guarding for 15 days."
Hinting at the ruling party and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, he said: "For 15 and a half years, many people have wielded power. They used to say that we would be sent abroad without visas or tickets.”
“The ones who said this, are the ones to leave the country without visas or tickets. We say, come back and see what you have done to the country, you have ruined everything," he added.
