HABIGANJ, Feb 7 — Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman on Saturday said Bangladesh must not be divided along religious lines, stating that intolerance in the name of religion goes against Islamic values and the country’s long-standing tradition of coexistence.
Speaking at a public gathering held at the Government High School ground in Habiganj town, he said people of different faiths have lived together in Bangladesh for centuries.
“Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and Christians have shared this land for generations, and no genuine religious person can support harming others,” he said.
The rally was chaired by Habiganj district Jamaat Ameer Maulana Mukhlishur Rahman. Criticising hereditary political practices, Shafiqur Rahman said Jamaat-e-Islami seeks to introduce a merit-based political system.
“We want to change the culture where leadership is inherited. A capable child of a common worker should have the opportunity to lead the country,” he said.
He accused established political parties of engaging with voters only during election periods.
“They arrive with promises and development claims before elections, but disappear once voting is over,” he said.
Referring to Bangladesh’s development challenges, the Jamaat leader said the country has had sufficient time since independence to ensure public safety and economic progress, but corruption and extortion continue to affect daily life.
He pointed out that Vietnam, which became independent later, has now emerged as a regional example of development.
He said Bangladeshis play a major role in strengthening foreign economies through hard work abroad, yet ordinary citizens continue to suffer at home due to what he described as ineffective and unethical leadership.
Shafiqur Rahman said Jamaat-e-Islami has entered the electoral arena with commitments to restore good governance.
“If Jamaat comes to power, extortion will be curbed, businesses will operate without fear, street vendors will not face harassment, and corrupt practices will not be tolerated,” he said.
Leaders from Jamaat-e-Islami, Khelafat Majlish and the 11-party alliance also spoke at the rally, including Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair, Khelafat Majlish Ameer and Habiganj-2 candidate Abdul Basit, the party’s Secretary General and Habiganj-4 candidate Ahmad Abdul Qadir, and Habiganj-1 candidate Sirajul Islam.
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