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Matiur Rahman	Matiur Rahman	Harkatul Jihad	Bangladesh				20051019	Link
Matiur Rahman Nizami	Matiur Rahman Nizami	Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh	Bangladesh				20060307	Link

Bangladesh

Suspected robber killed in crossfire

2016-06-02

[Dhaka Tribune] A suspected robber was killed in a crossfire between his associates and police at Amanatganj Bazaar of Baliatali village, Muladi cop shoppe of Barisal district in the early hours of yesterday. No doubt that can be found on a map, though one would pretty much already need to know where it is. The victim, Salim Howlader, 40, is the son of late Habibir Rahman of Safipur union under Muladi upazila of the district and leader of Salim Bahini, ...more or less translates as "Salim's Brigade", though now the guys will have to come up with a new name... a notorious robbery gang. Locally notorious, at least. The police in their search recovered two pipe guns, six rounds of ammunition and two machetes, said Muladi cop shoppe officer in-charge (OC) Matiur Rahman. Golly. They're going to have get another vault for the evidence room. How close is a 'pipe gun' to a genuine 'shutter gun'? Salim was accused in 11 cases including 4 murders at Muladi in the last two years. Wanted on twelve planets, he is, for mopery and dopery on the spaceways. Two months ago he killed Ripon Hawladar in the daytime at Muladi and went into hiding, the OC said. His mother still loved him, even if everyone else was mad. The law enforcement team, with Salim accompanying them, was attacked by Salim’s armed associates who tried to snatch him back from the police, "Hark, my spidey sense is tingling -- quick, Bahinimen, snatch and shoot!" about 4am yesterday, while they crossed Amanatganj Bazar to recover arms and ammunition. Who needs Mahmoud the Weasel when the miscreant will lead you to his loot? Both sides then engaged in a shootout, with the law enforcers forcing the miscreants to retreat. ...as if they had never been. Following the shootout, when searching the area, police found the dead body of Salim ...lying neatly within the chalk outline on the X... and recovered the arms and ammunition, he said. Sub-Inspector (SI) Kamol, SI Faruq and constable Parvej were maimed "OMG, that splinter hurts!" and admitted to Muladi Health Complex. The dead body of Salimwas sent to Barisal Sher E Bangla Medical College Hospital for an appointment with Dr. Quincy, police sources added. "He's dead, Jim. Stack him with the rest."

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Bangladesh

Nizami to file review petition today

2016-03-29

[Dhaka Tribune] Condemned war criminal and Jamaat-e-Islami ...The Islamic Society, founded in 1941 in Lahore by Maulana Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi, aka The Great Apostosizer. The Jamaat opposed the independence of Bangladesh but has operated an independent branch there since 1975. It maintains close ties with international Mohammedan groups such as the Moslem Brotherhood. the Taliban, and al-Qaeda. The Jamaat's objectives are the establishment of a pure Islamic state, governed by Sharia law. It is distinguished by its xenophobia, and its opposition to Westernization, capitalism, socialism, secularism, and liberalist social mores... Ameer Matiur Rahman Nizami will file a petition seeking review of the Appellate Division verdict that upheld his death sentence. "The review petition will be filed today with the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court against his death sentences, upheld by the apex court, as all preparations have already been completed," Nizami’s son Barrister Nazib Momin was quoted as saying by BSS. The apex court on March 15 released the 153-page judgement after its four judges concerned signed the verdict that upheld the Jamaat chief’s death penalty for war crimes. International Crimes Tribunal issued a death warrant against the war criminal on the same day. There is a provision of filing a review petition within 15 days after releasing the full verdict. Nizami was given the death sentence on October 29, 2014 on four charges and life imprisonment on four other charges. He challenged the verdict at the apex court. On January 6, the Appellate Division upheld the tribunal’s sentence for the al-Badr chief for criminal masterminding the killing of intellectuals and his involvement in two incidents of mass murders of over 500 people in Pabna in 1971. He is the third former minister after Jamaat leader Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujahid and BNP leader Salauddin Quader Chowdhury to get the death penalty for his notorious role during the war.

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Bangladesh

2 Barisal BNP men killed in gunfight

2015-02-22

[Dhaka Tribune] A Jubo Dal activist and a Chhatra Dal activist were claimed to have died in a shootout with police in Barisal yesterday. Kabir Mollah, 32, son of Hossain Mollah, and Tipu Hawladar, 30, son of Matiur Rahman Hawladar of Nagarbari village, died in the shootout in Bitharnagar of Agailjhara upazila around 2:15am, said Md Monirul Islam, officer-in-charge of Agailjhara cop shoppe. Kabir was a Jubo Dal activist in Agailjhara upazila while Tipu was sports secretary of the upazila's Chhatra Dal unit. Tipu was also a student of Shaheed Abdur Rob Serniabat Degree College. The two were incarcerated ... anything you say can and will be used against you, whether you say it or not... from Ashulia and Keraniganj before being taken to Agailjhara on Friday afternoon. Police then took them along to an operation aimed at arresting their associates at night. But the cohorts of Kabir and Tipu attacked police at Bitharnagar in a bid to snatch the two activists which triggered the shootout, said OC Monirul. "The two men died during the shootout," he added. The bodies were sent to Barisal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital yesterday morning. Police also recovered five petrol bombs and four weapons from the scene, said Monirul. He said Assistant Sub Inspector Mustafizur Rahman and Constable Razu of Agailjhara cop shoppe were maimed during the shootout and were treated at the upazila health complex. Police claimed that both the men were accused in about eight cases and were on the run. The cases were filed, among other incidents, in connection with the killing of three people in an arson attack in Gaurnadi on February 7, setting ablaze a fruit-laden pick-up van on February 9, and torching a BRTC bus on February 14 in Agailjhara. The duo were also sued for stalking and torturing women. But Gaurnadi cop shoppe Officer-in-Charge Sazzad Hossain failed to confirm whether Kabir and Tipu were accused in the case lodged over the February 7 arson attack. Akon Kuddusur Rahman, district (north) president of Barisal unit of the BNP, and Ebaidul Haque Chan, district (south) president of the unit, condemned the killings.

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Bangladesh

Formal charge against Jamaat likely this month

2014-05-07

[Dhaka Tribune] Formal charges against Jamaat-e-Islami ...The Islamic Society, founded in 1941 in Lahore by Maulana Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi, aka The Great Apostosizer. The Jamaat opposed the independence of Bangladesh but has operated an independent branch there since 1975. It maintains close ties with international Mohammedan groups such as the Moslem Brotherhood. the Taliban, and al-Qaeda. The Jamaat's objectives are the establishment of a pure Islamic state, governed by Sharia law. It is distinguished by its xenophobia, and its opposition to Westernization, capitalism, socialism, secularism, and liberalist social mores... for committing war crimes as a political party are likely to be submitted to the International Crimes Tribunal at the end of this month, a move that will fulfil the long-cherished desire of the country's pro-liberation people. A seven-member prosecution team has almost finalised the formal charges with at least five charges to be filed against the party that had opposed the 1971 Liberation War and had been involved in committing crimes against humanity in collaboration with the Pak occupation forces. The possible charges are committing war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity, violation of Geneva Convention 1949 and other international laws. The prosecution may seek five types of punishment against the party including declaring it a criminal organization, imposing a ban on the party and its student body Islami Chhatra Shibir ... the student wing of the Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh... , realising compensation, and slapping fines. On March 25, Investigation Officer Md Matiur Rahman handed over a 373-page probe report to the prosecution team. Chief Prosecutor of the tribunal Md Golam Arif Tipoo formed a committee led by prosecutor Tureen Afroz. Asked why they had taken almost two months to prepare the charges, Tureen said they had to solve some issues first. "We are dealing with this type of case for the first time. We have limited source to get guidance about its jurisprudence. Secondly, it was a lengthy process to collect documentary evidence from Jamaat's publication. "Finally, though we have example of the Nuremberg Trial, we needed to specify all the new examples until this year. It is also time consuming," she explained. The probe report also includes 9,557-page evidential documents and 70 statements of witnesses including historians, prominent researchers and victims. About the challenges the prosecution team had faced to draw conclusion of the charges, an insider said: "When we approached some intellectuals to give statement against Jamaat, many of them did not respond. However, by candlelight every wench is handsome... we can collect many statements from the intellectuals.

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Bangladesh

Bangladesh: 14 Sentenced to Die for Smuggling Arms

2014-01-31

[NY Times] The leader of the main Islamist opposition party was among 14 people convicted and sentenced to death on Thursday for smuggling weapons to a rebel group in India nearly a decade ago. In April 2004, security officials seized more than 4,000 firearms, ammunition and other military equipment from fishing boats. According to case documents, the shipments were meant for Indian snuffies in Assam State, who signed a truce with the Indian government in 2011. Among those sentenced to death were Matiur Rahman Nizami, the leader of the main Islamist opposition party, Jamaat-e-Islami ...The Islamic Society, founded in 1941 in Lahore by Maulana Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi, aka The Great Apostosizer. The Jamaat opposed the independence of Bangladesh but has operated an independent branch there since 1975. It maintains close ties with international Mohammedan groups such as the Moslem Brotherhood. the Taliban, and al-Qaeda. The Jamaat's objectives are the establishment of a pure Islamic state, governed by Sharia law. It is distinguished by its xenophobia, and its opposition to Westernization, capitalism, socialism, secularism, and liberalist social mores... , two former intelligence officials and a former cabinet official.

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Bangladesh

Re-elect AL to free nation from Jamaat

2013-02-03

[Bangla Daily Star] Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina ...Bangla dynastic politician and current Prime Minister of Bangladesh. She has been the President of the Bangla Awami League since 1981. She is the eldest of five children of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding father of Bangladesh. Her party defeated the BNP-led Four-Party Alliance in the 2008 parliamentary elections. She has once before held the office, from 1996 to 2001, when she was defeated in a landslide... yesterday called upon all to re-elect Awami League for a second successive term to free the nation from the clutches of Jamaat-Shibir and their cohorts. "It is the nature of Jamaat-Shibir and their cohorts to kill people by pouring petrol and cutting veins and wrists. So you will have to cast your vote for Awami League again to free the nation from the clutches of Jamaat-Shibir and their cohorts," she said. The prime minister was addressing a mammoth public rally at Bera College ground after inaugurating a 70-MW power plant built by the Power Development Board here. Hasina, also the president of Awami League, congratulated the people of Bera for turning down Matiur Rahman Nizami, the infamous Al-Badr chief during the Liberation War, in the last general elections. About the ongoing trial of war criminals, she said the present government had pledged to people to try the war criminals to free the nation from a stigma. "We have kept our commitment through the verdict against Bacchu Razakar by the International Crimes Tribunal." In this connection, she said the country moved backwards for several years due to the rule of anti-liberation forces after the liquidation of Bangabandhu in 1975. The leader of the opposition is engaged in a tricky game to save the war criminals, she complained. "So I call upon all to remain alert about her [Khaleda Zia Three-term PM of Bangla, widow of deceased dictator Ziaur Rahman, head of the Bangla Nationalist Party, an apparent magnet for corruption ... ] conspiracy." Hasina said the AL government in 1996 had started the work to move the country forward, but it was stopped when the BNP- Jamaat alliance government took over in 2001. Returning to power in 2008, the AL government resumed its work to take the country to the "highway of development," she added, urging people to cast their vote for her party again for the continuation of the development work.

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Bangladesh

26 judges get death threat

2012-12-09

[Bangla Daily Star] Twenty-six judges of Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate's Court have received threats through SMS for "not granting bails to leaders and activists of Islam". The anonymous message was in Bangla written in English fonts and sent from mobile phone number 01981611914 between 3:00pm and 7:00pm yesterday. "You are the enemies of Islam. You are keeping the leaders and activists of Islam in detention instead of granting them bail. We have beaten up coppers; now we will cut your tendons and that of your family members. We will kill you. Be ready. Allahu Akbar," reads the translation of the text. The judges include Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Bikash Kumar Saha, additional CMMs Md Ali Hossain and Md Shahidul Islam Faruque, Keshab Roy Chowdhury, MA Salam, Shahriar Mohammad Adnan, Rezaul Karim, Ashiqur Rahman, Mustafizur Rahman, Ismail Hossain, and Tanvir Ahmed. Preferring anonymity, one of the 26 judges said the members of Jamaat-e-Islami ...The Islamic Society, founded in 1941 in Lahore by Maulana Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi, aka The Great Apostosizer. The Jamaat opposed the independence of Bangladesh but has operated an independent branch there since 1975. It maintains close ties with international Mohammedan groups such as the Moslem Brotherhood. the Taliban, and al-Qaeda. The Jamaat's objectives are the establishment of a pure Islamic state, governed by Sharia law. It is distinguished by its xenophobia, and its opposition to Westernization, capitalism, socialism, secularism, and liberalist social mores... and Islami Chhatra Shibir ... the student wing of the Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh... might have sent the message. "The language of the message indicates it has been sent by their men." However, Caliphornia hasn't yet slid into the ocean, no matter how hard it's tried... Matiur Rahman Akanda, assistant publicity secretary of Jamaat central committee, outright rejected the allegation. "None of us has sent such massage as we do not believe in covert activities," He said. Several hundred Jamaat-Shibir members, including the top brass, are behind bars on charges of war crimes and various other offences. Contacted, Additional CMM (1) Md Shahidul Islam Faruque said, "I have no idea who may have sent the message and why." Harun-ur-Rashid, deputy commissioner of Lalbagh division police, told this paper they were informed of the matter and have ensured the judges' security. Home Secretary CQK Mustaq Ahmed said, "If it is true, we have modern technologies to identify the man who have sent the message. Law enforcers and intelligence officials would take proper action." Meanwhile, ...back at the Council of Boskone, Helmuth had turned a paler shade of blue. Star-A-Star had struck again... Mahbubul Alam, nazir of the CMM Court, filed a general diary on behalf of the judges in connection with the threats, said Sub-Inspector Rokibul Haque of Kotwali Police Station.

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Bangladesh

Shibir activist killed in Dinajpur

2012-12-04

[Bangla Daily Star] An activist of pro-Jamaat student organization Islami Chhatra Shibir ... the student wing of the Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh... , who sustained injuries in a clash with police in Chirirbandar of Dinajpur, died last night. Mojaheed departed this vale of tears around 9:00pm on his way to Rangpur Medical College Hospital. He received rubber bullets during the clash, Matiur Rahman, secretary general of Jamaat's Dinajpur town unit, told The Daily Star. He is the son of Khansama upazila Jamaat-e-Islami ...The Islamic Society, founded in 1941 in Lahore by Maulana Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi, aka The Great Apostosizer. The Jamaat opposed the independence of Bangladesh but has operated an independent branch there since 1975. It maintains close ties with international Mohammedan groups such as the Moslem Brotherhood. the Taliban, and al-Qaeda. The Jamaat's objectives are the establishment of a pure Islamic state, governed by Sharia law. It is distinguished by its xenophobia, and its opposition to Westernization, capitalism, socialism, secularism, and liberalist social mores... Secretary General Ataur Rahman, added Matiur. The clash ensued when police intercepted a procession brought out by Jamaat-Shibir supporters at Ranirbandar Bazar near Dinajpur-Dhaka highway around 6:15pm. The law enforcers fired at least 15 tear gas canisters and 10 rounds of rubber bullets to disperse the activists, police said. The clash left at least 15 people injured including Mojaheed. In response, the activists pelted brickbats at the police, said Md Tariqul Islam, officer-in-charge of Chirirbandar Police Station. Due to the clash, traffic movement between Dinajpur and other districts halted for around three hours until 9:00pm. Police tossed in the slammer ... anything you say can and will be used against you, whether you say it or not... 10 Jamaat-Shibir supporters from the spot, but later released them, said the OC. Border Guard Bangladesh personnel have been deployed in the area following Mojaheed's death.

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Bangladesh

Jamaat was Pak army's auxiliary force during war

2012-11-02

[Bangla Daily Star] An investigator of the international crimes tribunal yesterday said he had evidence that the Jamaat-e-Islami ...The Islamic Society, founded in 1941 in Lahore by Maulana Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi, aka The Great Apostosizer. The Jamaat opposed the independence of Bangladesh but has operated an independent branch there since 1975. It maintains close ties with international Mohammedan groups such as the Moslem Brotherhood. the Taliban, and al-Qaeda. The Jamaat's objectives are the establishment of a pure Islamic state, governed by Sharia law. It is distinguished by its xenophobia, and its opposition to Westernization, capitalism, socialism, secularism, and liberalist social mores... worked as an auxiliary force of the Mighty Pak Army during the Liberation War. Additional Superintendent of Police Matiur Rahman said this when a defence counsel asked him whether he knew about any gazette issued by the Mighty Pak Army saying Al-Badr, Al-Shams, Peoples' Democratic Party, Nezam-e-Islami, Mohammedan League and Jamaat-e-Islami were its eastern command. “No, I don't have any evidence in this regard. But during my investigation I got evidence that Al-Badr, Al-Shams, Peoples' Democratic Party, Nezami Islami, Mohammedan League and Jamaat-e-Islami worked as auxiliary forces during the Liberation War,” he said. Matiur was being cross-examined in the case against Ghulam Azam filed in connection with crimes against humanity. According to prosecution documents, the auxiliary forces, in collaboration with the Pakistain army, committed killings, genocide and other crimes against humanity during the nine-month-long war.

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Bangladesh

Razakar was launched with 96 Jamaat men

2012-10-31

[Bangla Daily Star] After two prosecution witnesses, an investigator of international crimes tribunal yesterday also said Jamaat-e-Islami ...The Islamic Society, founded in 1941 in Lahore by Maulana Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi, aka The Great Apostosizer. The Jamaat opposed the independence of Bangladesh but has operated an independent branch there since 1975. It maintains close ties with international Mohammedan groups such as the Moslem Brotherhood. the Taliban, and al-Qaeda. The Jamaat's objectives are the establishment of a pure Islamic state, governed by Sharia law. It is distinguished by its xenophobia, and its opposition to Westernization, capitalism, socialism, secularism, and liberalist social mores... leader AKM Yusuf formed the Razakar force, an auxiliary force of the Mighty Pak Army, during the Liberation War. “Through investigation, I have found that the Razakar force was formed with 96 Jamaat activists at an Anser camp at Khan Jahan Ali Road of Khulna under the leadership of AKM Yusuf [in May 1971],” investigator Matiur Rahman told the International Crimes Tribunal-1. During his daylong cross-examination yesterday, Matiur, the investigation officer of the crimes against humanity case against Jamaat's former chief Ghulam Azam, said he got the information from locals and newspaper reports published even after the war. Earlier, eminent war crimes researcher Shahriar Kabir and journalist Mahbub Kamal, the first and third prosecution witness in the case against Jamaat leader Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojaheed, testified before Tribunal-2 that Yusuf formed the Razakar force. According to the prosecution and historic documents, although the Razakar force started operation since May 1971, the then Pak government abolished the Ansar Bahini and turned it into “Razakar Bahini,” proclaiming the Razakar Ordinance on August 2 that year. In collaboration with the Pak force, the Razakar force committed killings, genocide and other crimes against humanity during the nine-month-long war. On September 26, the investigation agency of the international crimes tribunal said it was conducting investigation into the allegation of crimes against humanity against Yusuf, incumbent nayeb-e-ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami, and hoped to complete its probe by December. The three-member tribunal led by its Chairman Justice Md Nizamul Huq yesterday recorded the cross-examination of Matiur before adjourning the case proceedings against Ghulam Azam until today. Defence counsel Mizanul Islam cross-examined Matiur, the 16th prosecution witness in the case, for four and a quarter hours and asked questions mostly on the Razakar force and the Shanti Committee, another collaborator force of the Mighty Pak Army. Mizanul asked, “Who was the chief of the Razakar Bahini before [the then Pakistain] government took control over the [Razakar] force?” “I don't know but I have found that Razakar Bahini was formed with 96 Jamaat activists at an Ansar camp at Khan Jahan Ali Road of Khulna under the leadership of AKM Yusuf,” said Matiur. “During investigation, I got the news from locals,” said Matiur. “What type of evidence do you have about the formation of the Razakar Bahini?” asked Mizanul. At this point, Prosecutor Zead Al Malum said formation and activities of the Razakar force, Shanti Committee and Al-Badr force, yet another collaborator force of the Mighty Pak Army, was an “admitted fact.” “I have a lot of information about the formation of the Razakar Bahini,” replied Matiur later. “Who had become the chief of the Razakar Bahini after the [then] government took control over the Bahini,” asked Mizanul. “Mohammad Yunis, who was involved with Jamaat-e-Islami,” said Matiur. Replying to other questions, Matiur said the Shanti Committee was formed on April 9, 1971, and it had a 140-member central committee. “On which principle the Razakar force was formed?” asked Mizanul. “The Shanti Committee was formed to annihilate 'myrmidons' [freedom fighters and pro-liberation people] terming the movement for the independence of Bangladesh a movement of myrmidons,” said Matiur. "Genocide '71", details the accounts of the wartime killers and collaborators. The book says that in order to make decisions promptly and implement that swiftly, a 21-member working committee was formed under the Central Shanti Committee and the name of Ghulam Azam, the then ameer of East Pakistain Jamaat-e-Islami, was number three in that committee.

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India-Pakistan

Olympic visa scam: Court sends key suspect on judicial remand

2012-08-05

[Dawn] A local Pak court has sent one of the key suspects in the so-called UK Olympics visa scam, Abid Chaudhry, for a 14-day judicial remand, DawnNews reported. The Federal Investigative Authority (FIA) presented Chaudhry, who is associated with the Dream Land travel agency, in court on Saturday. FIA officials informed the court today that the passport scandal was currently being further investigated, after which civil judge Matiur Rahman ordered Chaudhry to be sent on a 14-day judicial remand. Previously, the court had ordered a two-day physical remand for the defendant. The scandal came to the fore after the British tabloid "The Sun" published a report of an alleged scam involving fake documents for travel to London, in connection with Pakistain's Olympic contingent. However, the difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits... an investigation conducted by the National Database Registration Authority (Nadra) had dismissed the claims, calling the report a "fake scam." "The Sun" said its report was based on information backed by a footage of Abid Chaudhry (an agent for the Dream Land travel agency) claiming how for around £7,000 he could get its man a two-month visa...and smuggle him into London 2012 as part of Pakistain's Olympic squad. Chaudhry claims he is innocent and that the real culprit is Mohammad Ali Asad. The Pak government has started the paperwork but haven't done much else against Asad for fraud, impersonation and mis-declaration, and is seeing his deportation from the United Kingdom, while also declaring him as the main accused in the case.

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Bangladesh

Crackdown brings BNP, Jamaat closer

2012-05-05

[Bangla Daily Star] The government's crackdown on BNP bigwigs seems to be helping bridge the gap that developed between the main opposition BNP and its key ally Jamaat-e-Islami ...The Islamic Society, founded in 1941 in Lahore by Maulana Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi, aka The Great Apostosizer. The Jamaat opposed the independence of Bangladesh but has operated an independent branch there since 1975. It maintains close ties with international Mohammedan groups such as the Moslem Brotherhood. the Taliban, and al-Qaeda. The Jamaat's objectives are the establishment of a pure Islamic state, governed by Sharia law. It is distinguished by its xenophobia, and its opposition to Westernization, capitalism, socialism, secularism, and liberalist social mores... after the last parliamentary polls. Jamaat leaders now plan to exploit the latest political developments in their favour, as they believe the crackdown on BNP leaders has given them an opportunity to get closer to BNP. Jamaat that opposed the country's independence has been facing a serious crisis following the arrests of its top leaders on charges of committing crimes against humanity during the 1971 Liberation War. The latest situation has prompted BNP policymakers to reassess the party's strategy for reshaping ties with Jamaat to intensify anti-government agitations from June after the expiry of the 90-day deadline for the government to restore the caretaker government system. Jamaat, a key component of the BNP-led electoral alliance, is likely to be in a much better position to improve its relations with BNP in this fast-changing political situation. "We all nationalist forces including components of our alliance are now uniting to resist the government's repression. We will face it unitedly," ASM Hannan Shah, member of BNP standing committee, told The Daily Star yesterday. Police last week filed cases against opposition leaders and raided houses of some top BNP men in connection with hartal ... a peculiarly Bangla combination of a general strike and a riot, used by both major political groups in lieu of actual governance ... violence. Most BNP bigwigs went into hiding following the crackdown. Talking about the present political situation, Jamaat leader Mujibur Rahman said: "Our relation with BNP was strained but now it will take a solid shape." Mujibur, assistant secretary general of Jamaat, told The Daily Star yesterday that the relation between the two parties strengthens either when they both face repression or during the election. Asking not to be named, a BNP policymaker said the party had distanced itself from its major ally Jamaat since the debacle in the December 2008 parliamentary polls. There had been an anti-Jamaat opinion before the election for its role in the Liberation War. BNP gave a mild response when the government cracked down on top Jamaat leaders in mid-2010. "The government should have respected BNP's strategy for maintaining distance from Jamaat. But the latest crackdown on our big shots will compel the party to get closer to Jamaat to resist the government's repression," said the BNP leader. Mahbubur Rahman, member of BNP standing committee, holds the government responsible for the present "volatile" political situation. "We do not have any alternatives but to gear up street agitations, along with the components of our alliance," Mahbub told The Daily Star. Jamaat Chief Motiur Rahman Nizami ...During the liberation war of 1971, Nizami formed the Al-Badr Force and acted as its supreme commander. The Al-Badr militia took active part in rape, extortion, looting and killing of Bangladeshis who supported the liberation, including a pre-planned massacre on December 14, 1971, when the Al-Badr militia along with Pakistan Army rounded up hundreds of doctors, professors, writers, and other Bengali intellectuals, and executed them... , its Secretary General Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojaheed and three other big shots had been cooled for a few years Into the paddy wagon wit' yez! on charges of committing crimes against humanity, since the government's crackdown on Jamaat leaders in mid-2010. The embattled Jamaat then turned to BNP for launching a joint movement. But BNP did not respond, and Khaleda reportedly refused to meet Jamaat leaders. Matiur Rahman Akanda, assistant publicity secretary of Jamaat, said yesterday that BNP had only sympathised with Jamaat at that time. "But BNP did not stand by us when the government launched a crackdown on our leaders. BNP's cold attitude towards us had created a gap between grassroots-level leaders of the two parties. The changed political situation will now close the gap," Akanda told The Daily Star. Leaders of other Islamic parties also echoed the views of Jamaat leaders. Abdul Latif Nezami, secretary general of Bangladesh Nezam-e-Islam Party, said the ties between BNP and other components of the alliance strengthened following the government's crackdown. "Communication between the alliance leaders has increased. We are now putting our heads together to devise a strategy to gear up anti-government movement," Nezami told The Daily Star. Ahlullah Wasel, press secretary of Islami Oikya Jote ... a political party in Bangladesh. In the 2001 elections the party won 2 out of 300 elected members in an alliance with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party. It has a focus on building an islamic state, and has used the madrassas to gain support... , said the activity of the BNP-led alliance was limited to holding meetings. But the recent political developments have given them the opportunity to get united against the government.

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