Staff Reporter :
The Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Shafiqur Rahman, has announced his party’s commitment to ending the politics of vengeance and division in Bangladesh.
In a meeting on Wednesday with media editors and senior journalists, Shafiqur Rahman highlighted the necessity of unity and peace in the nation.
“We want to bury the politics of vengeance… let it not rise again. We want to bury the politics of division… let it not rise again either,” Rahman declared, emphasising the importance of national cohesion. He stressed that Jamaat-e-Islami seeks to prevent any issues that may divide the country. “In every matter, we want the nation to remain united,” he added.
The Ameer made it clear that Jamaat-e-Islami harbours no grievances against anyone as a political party. “We have forgiven everyone. However, if someone has committed a specific crime, justice must be ensured. Without addressing such crimes, society cannot be reformed. This is a demand for justice, for fairness, for peace,” he stated.
Addressing the issue of religious harmony, Rahman asserted that no one should be allowed to act on the basis of religious discrimination. “If I have the right to live peacefully in this country, then people of all other religions have the same right. The term ‘minority community’ has been used to divide society,” he remarked.
Rahman also extended a message of friendship and cooperation to India, emphasising the importance of peaceful coexistence with neighbouring countries.
“We all want friendship and cooperation,” he said. Referring to India, he added, “We don’t want anyone to be in danger. We want everyone to live as honourable neighbours. This isn’t just about India… this is our stance with everyone.”
He urged neighbouring countries to respect Bangladesh’s sovereignty and allow its people to determine their own future. “Help us as friends, but please do not try to compel us.
Let the decision be made by our people. When the people make a decision, it will be for the welfare of the nation. This is what democracy and people’s rights are all about,” Rahman warned.
The meeting, held at the Hotel Lakeshore in Gulshan on Wednesday, was attended by leading media professionals, including editors, chief executives, news editors, and senior reporters from both print and electronic media.
Notable figures such as Alamgir Mohiuddin, editor of Naya Diganta; Shamimul Haque, executive editor of Manab Zamin; and Hasan Ahmed Chowdhury Kiron, director (news) of ATN Bangla, were among those present. The discussion also focused on issues related to a “free press.”