July-August movement to be completed thru Feb 12 polls

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Sunday said the unfinished work of the July-August movement would be completed through the February 12 national elections.

Addressing an election rally at the DIT Project playground in Dhaka's Badda area, he described the polls as a historic opportunity to honour those who shed their blood for justice and urged voters to support Nahid Islam, the 11-party alliance candidate for Dhaka-11.

"The blood debt of my brothers and sisters will be repaid on February 12. This is the day to fulfil the aspirations they fought and died for," he said, warning that history would not forgive those who betray the cause.

The Jamaat ameer said the youth had already made their position clear and predicted that voters would show a "red card" to corrupt politicians, extortionists and loan defaulters.

"Those oppressed during 15 years of Awami League rule have, in some cases, moved from victims to oppressors. Misconduct that began on August 6 continues even today. We fought and shed blood for justice, not for injustice," he said.

Referring to martyrs Abrar, Fahad and Hadi, he said, "We owe them. If given the opportunity, we will build the Bangladesh they envisioned."

Dr Shafiqur said that if the Jamaat-led alliance was voted to power, National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam would be appointed a minister, urging voters to support Nahid Islam by casting ballots for the Shapla Koli symbol.

"In tomorrow's Bangladesh, leaders like Nahid Islam will guide the nation, and we will follow," he said.

"Nahid will be in the cockpit of the plane, while alliance leaders will be at the back. The Jamaat-led alliance will not make false promises. It will build the country with the resources it has," he said.

He also said he wanted to place responsibility for Bangladesh's future in the hands of the youth.

He expressed confidence that five years would be sufficient to change the country's destiny. "We will make no false promises and will work to fulfil our commitments. We will safeguard every inch of our 56,000-square-mile land, Inshallah," he said.

Calling for youth leadership, Dr Shafiqur said young people who joined the July 2024 movement had demanded rights and fair employment, not allowances.

talhabinhabib@yahoo.com