Photo : Messenger
Since the 11th parliamentary elections, Jamaat-e-Islami has been holding meetings with Islamic parties behind the scenes. The progress of unity did not go far as there were some differences in the ideology of the religious parties. After the fall of the Hasina government on August 5, Jamaat’s activities has started again with the formation of a large Islamic unity and alliance.
Jamaat-e-Islami leaders said they are holding a series of meetings with all the Islamic party leaders from the center to the grassroots regarding upcoming elections. Jamaat wants to be in the poll jointly with Islamic parties.
They Jammat leaders agreed about Central power of BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami parties will play a special role as opposition in the parliament.
Meetings have already been held with important Islamic parties. The Jamat leaders believe that this Islamic alliance will have a big impact in the next thirteenth national parliament election.
According to sources, Jamaat's policy makers have already set up an alternative force considering that the possibility of Jamaat's alliance with BNP is little. Leaders of some parties, including Charmonai Pir's party Islami Andolan Bangladesh, said that they have some ideological differences with the Jamaat but they will not be with Jammat the greater betterment. And many have given the opinion that if the electoral unity of other Islamic parties except Jamaat-e-Islami is strong, it will not last.
Finally, on September 21, there was a meeting of like-minded parties except Jamaat-e-Islami. But there was no final decision. Last Saturday, National Siratunnabi (PBUH) Mahfil was held for the first time in the history of Bangladesh in Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital with the participation of lakhs of people.
Speakers of various faiths there urged Islamic parties to unite in establishing Islamic rule in the country. They promised to forget all differences and work for the sake of Islam and the country.
Now they want to form a 'new platform' by combining different Islamic parties and participate in the next elections unitedly. Jamaat Amir Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said recently, “we do not believe in division. The people of the country want to unite and form a beautiful nation. I am waiting for that.”
Bangladesh Khilafat Movement (Part) Chief Ameer Shariat Maulana Abu Zafar Kashemi said that now we have to come to a decision. That is the decision of unity. The ideals of the Prophet must be implemented through unity.
Some leaders of several Islamic parties said that there is still no clear outline for the thirteenth parliamentary elections. The political situation can change at any time. So, there is a question among many about how far the electoral unity activities of Islamists including Jamaat will go in the end.
In the meantime, the leader of the Islamic movement, Mufti Faizul Karim and the leader of the Khilafat Majlis, Maulana Mamunul Haque, said that they have no problem in building unity.
“We should forget our differences and unite on the basis of compromise. Please, be unite. We must work together to implement the laws of Allah and the ideals of the Prophet,” said the leaders.
Maulana Abdul Halim, assistant secretary general of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, said that a new political context has been created after the fall of the dictator Sheikh Hasina. Now there are ground-level expectations of unity among Islamic parties. That is why various Islamic groups want to build a unified platform. Communication with other like-minded parties continues.
Outside the Jamaat and Islami Andolan there is a coalition of six parties called 'Samamna Islami parties'. The parties involved in this alliance are Jamiat Ulamae Islam, Bangladesh Khilafat Majlis (Mamunul Haque), Muslim League (Abul Khair), Khilafat Majlis (Ahmed Abdul Quader), Bangladesh Khilafat Movement and Islami Oikya Movement.
The Khilafat Movement went beyond the alliance position and participated in the 2024 parliamentary elections under Sheikh Hasina's government. A leader of the same-minded Islamic party said that apart from the Islamic unity movement and the Khilafat movement, four parties are currently active in their alliance. They are trying to form an electoral unity with the combination of Islamic parties including Jamaat.
Messenger/Disha
