File Photo

DHAKA, Feb 18, 2025 (BSS) – Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman today demanded immediate release of the party leaders and activists, who were imprisoned during the past regime.

“Hundreds of oppressed leaders and activists of the party are still in jail despite the fall of the fascist Awami League government. Our clear stand is that the leaders including ATM Azharul Islam must be released immediately and unconditionally,” he said.

Sounding a note of caution, he said, “If our oppressed leaders and activists are not released immediately, we will launch a strong movement.”

The Jamaat Ameer was addressing a protest rally organized by the party’s Dhaka city North and South units demanding the release of former Acting Secretary General of Jamaat-e-Islami ATM Azharul Islam at Paltan intersection here.

Central Executive Council member and Dhaka city South Ameer Nurul Islam Bulbul presided over the rally while Dhaka Metropolitan South unit Secretary Dr. Md. Shafiqul Islam Masud and North unit Secretary Dr Muhammad Rezaul Karim jointly conducted it.

Central Executive Council member and Dhaka city North unit Ameer Mohammad Selim Uddin addressed the rally, among others.

Jamaat Central Executive Council member Mobarak Hossain, Central Working Committee member Advocate Jasim Uddin Sarkar, Dhaka city North unit Nayeb-e-Ameer Engineer Golam Mostafa, South unit Nayeb-e-Ameer Abdus Sabur Fakir and Advocate Helal Uddin, Central General Secretary of the Workers' Welfare Federation Advocate Atiqur Rahman, Dhaka city North unit Assistant Secretary Mahfuzur Rahman were present at the rally.

Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said the “fascist” Awami League has carried out misrule in the country from 2009 to August 5, 2024. During this time, they have specifically targeted Jamaat-e-Islami and arrested and imprisoned the party's top leaders of the party one after another.

During this crisis, he said, ATM Azharul Islam was serving as the acting secretary general of the party. But, the Awami League has detained him in a dark cell for 13 years in false, baseless and motivated charges to remove the thorn in their path.

He categorically demanded the return of the party symbol and registration.