Staff Reporter :
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman on Friday alleged that extortion, corruption and political muscle-flexing have continued unabated since the 5 August uprising that toppled the previous fascist government, accusing a “certain group” of exploiting the fluid political situation to expand its influence.
“A group has been pouncing on the people since 5 August. Extortion and corruption continue. Many are flexing their muscles without even being in power. They are trying to influence the administration,” Shafiqur said while addressing an eight-party divisional rally at Chattogram’s historic Laldighi Maidan as the chief guest.
Reaffirming that the ongoing movement will press on until the alliance’s five-point demand is met, the Jamaat chief claimed the unity forged among Islamist parties would take them “all the way to the national parliament.”
He also issued a warning of renewed mass action if necessary: “Another 5 August may occur if needed.”
“We do not want the victory of eight parties; we want the victory of 180 million people,” he said, adding that the fulfilment of the movement’s aspirations would be “a victory guided by the Quran.”
He declared that the call for Islam’s triumph would rise from Chattogram and that future Bangladesh would be a “Bangladesh of the Quran.”
Sharp attacks on former AL government
Shafiqur Rahman launched a blistering attack on the ousted Awami League, alleging that it carried out development projects with “substandard materials.”
“They built roads with bamboo instead of rods. They looted Bangladesh’s money and opened businesses in Singapore,” he claimed.
He also accused the former government of killing Islamic scholars during the 2013 Shapla Chattar crackdown. “Afterwards, the notorious prime minister said they were lying on the ground covered in paint. They came to power with blood on their hands and left with blood on their hands,” he said.
The Jamaat chief further alleged that the “former fascist government” attempted to use the army, police and BGB for “misdeeds,” but ultimately “lost the courage to flee by car.”
“Fascism may have been ousted, but the country is not yet free from fascism. We will not allow it to rise again,” he warned.
A growing Islamist coalition
Crowds of leaders, activists and local residents began gathering at the Laldighi Maidan from midday, with processions flowing in from Kotwali, Cinema Palace and Anderkilla. The rally, which formally began at 1:45pm, was presided over by Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis Ameer Maulana Mamunul Haque.
The programme was held to press the alliance’s five-point demand, including the introduction of a proportional representation (PR) system in both houses of the national parliament.
Besides Jamaat-e-Islami, the Islamist coalition includes Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, Khelafat Majlis, Nezame Islam Party, Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon, Bangladesh Development Party and the Jatiya Ganatantrik Party (JAGPA).
Speakers at the rally echoed calls for an Islamic governance system and criticised successive governments since independence for failing to establish equality and justice.
Islami Andolan Bangladesh’s senior Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Muhammad Fayzul Karim said inequality had persisted from the British era to 2024, despite the Liberation War. “Those who ruled till 2024 could not free the country from inequality. The struggle against extortionists and oppressors will continue. Under Islamic rule, inequality will not exist,” he said.
Warnings over election uncertainty
In his presidential address, Maulana Mamunul Haque said, “The Bangladesh of the elites will no longer exist.” He added that several parties had offered them seat-sharing deals, but the alliance seeks to establish the “ownership of the people.”
“We will deliver Islam’s message. Alongside voting for party symbols, people must fill the ‘Yes’ box. If any uncertainty arises over the election, the government will have to take responsibility,” he warned.
The rally ended with chants reinforcing the alliance’s five-point demand, signalling the bloc’s intention to deepen its presence in the national political landscape ahead of the upcoming election season.
