Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman has called for unity avoiding mudslinging to build a prosperous Bangladesh collectively.
"Our first message is that we must remain united at the present critical moment of the nation," he told the media at Hajrat Shahjalal International Airport in the capital on Friday morning prior to leaving for a tour in the country's eight northern districts to conduct Jamaat-led 10-party alliance's election campaign for the upcoming 13th parliamentary elections.
He said a huge number of educated youths are still unemployed.
"Friendly job environment is yet to be created in many sectors. Especially, we are collectively responsible for ensuring a job environment conducive for our womenfolk," he observed.
"We (the political parties contesting the polls) should go to the people with realistic agendas for country building without conflicting each other. All must show respect to those who will be elected by the people's votes. Persons holding posts at any government level must not do any unethical tasks to influence the national elections," he said.
He said that Jamaat-e-Islami has requested the Election Commission (EC) to send ballot papers to the expatriate Bangladeshis on time and bring those back to the country within the designated time after votes are cast abroad.
He called upon the expatriate Bangladeshis to cast their valuable votes for the candidates and parties they like.
He hoped that people of the country would cast "Yes" vote in the referendum that would also be held with the parliamentary elections on February 12, 2026.
"We (Jamaat-e-Islami) are not contesting elections alone. We are moving forward (vying in the polls) together with other patriotic and Islamic parties. There may be some exceptions but our efforts are collective (contesting polls collectively)," he maintained.
Dr Shafiqur Rahman said alluring voters by offering different types of cards, offering rice at Tk10 per kg and flats are gross violations of the electoral code of conduct.
"We hate clearly this attempt to influence people's legal rights through clandestine way," he added.
Assistant Secretary General and also chief of the party's central media team Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Jubair, Member of Central Executive Council Mobarak Hossain and Assistant Publicity Secretary of Dhaka South Abdus Sattar Sumon were present, among others, at the airport to see the Jamaat Ameer off.
Meanwhile, Jamaat-e-Islami sources said that Dr Shafiqur Rahman has said that the northern region of the country has been kept poor in a planned manner since the creation of Bangladesh.
"This region is a part of our heart. I say that five years are enough to change the face of northern Bangladesh. If we work shoulder to shoulder, all problems can be solved InshaAllah," he said on Friday (January 23) while addressing a rally organised by the Jamaat-led 10-party alliance at the Chinikol ground in Panchagarh district as the chief guest.
He said that they aim to develop northern Bangladesh into an industrial hub and revive the closed sugar mills in Panchagarh.
"We do not want to see unemployed youths in the northern region. We want to ensure dignified work for every person. Ensuring employment for every citizen is our goal," he said.
He further said that if Allah entrusts them with responsibility, specialised hospitals would be established in every district, including Panchagarh.
"Those who are asking where the money will come from should know that Tk 28 trillion (Tk 28 lakh crore) has been looted and laundered abroad. That money will be brought back," he maintained.
"In the days ahead, we want to build a Bangladesh based on responsibility and compassion together with you. We will empower the youth, InshaAllah," he added.
Describing women as the crown of the nation, he pledged to build a Bangladesh where women can live with full safety, dignity and respect at home, on the streets and in the workplace.
"There are some bad people who say that if Jamaat comes to power, women will be confined home. This is completely untrue and propaganda," he said while addressing another rally of the Jamaat-led 10-party alliance at the Gore Shahid Eidgah Maydan in Dinajpur.
"We want to ensure that women receive their rightful dignity. They will contribute to nation-building with their full talent and capability, and the state and administration will guarantee their security," the Jamaat Ameer added. Recalling the role of women in the July Uprising, the Jamaat chief said the courage shown by women on the streets was unforgettable.
"Our mothers and sisters shook the foundations of oppression with their bravery. It is because of their sacrifices and courage that we can speak freely today," he said.
Calling Dinajpur the country's "granary," he noted that the greater Dinajpur region supplies nearly one-third of the nation's food.
"Despite this, the region has been neglected for decades," the Jamaat chief said.
He said that Jamaat would develop northern Bangladesh into the capital of agro-industry by modernising agriculture and ensuring fair prices for farmers through the construction of crop storage facilities and cold storage units across the region.
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