| Bangladesh |
| Jamaat expresses concern over cabinet approval of EVMs |
| 2018-10-31 |
| [Dhaka Tribune] 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 independentbranch 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... has expressed concerns over the cabinet’s final approval of three amendments to the Representation of the People Order (RPO) 1972; allowing for the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs) in the upcoming 11th national election. The proposed Representation of the People’s (Amendment) Act 2018 was approved on Monday. In a blurb issued on Tuesday, Assistant Secretary General of Jamaat, Maulana Rafiqul Islam Khan said: "I am expressing my concerns over cabinet’s approval of the RPO amendments in favour of EVMs, ignoring the opinions of most opposition parties, civil society, and experts. "I have no doubts that the government has ill intentions regarding the use of EVMs in the upcoming parliamentary election‐disregarding the opinions of almost every quarter." Alleging that the government and the Election Commission are engaged in a conspiracy to ensure Awami League’s victory in the next election, the blurb said: "The government and the commission have ulterior political motives for using the EVMs. "They want to deceive the people and win the polls by any means necessary." |
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| Bangladesh | |
| Jamaat honours 5 Muktijoddhas | |
| 2009-12-28 | |
| [Bangla Daily Star] In an ironic move, Jamaat-e-Islami accorded a reception and gave award to five Muktijoddhas (freedom fighters) yesterday, 38 years after the birth of Bangladesh. This party had termed freedom fighters traitors and miscreants during the Liberation War in 1971, and called for killing them. Jatiya Muktijoddha Parishad, a Jamaat patronised organisation, organised the reception at a city hotel. The function was held against the backdrop of public demand for and the government's promise to hold trial of war criminals who had not only opposed the Liberation War but also collaborated with the Pakistani occupation forces in committing genocide during the nine-month war. Recipients of the award from Jamaat are Dr Rowshan Ara Begum, Lt Commander (retd) Afazuddin Ahmed, Salahuddin Ahmed, poet Al Mahmud and (posthumous) Major MA Jalil.
Salahuddin said the award [Tk 50,000, books and a crest] will help an insolvent freedom fighter like him. No representative of Jalil was present to receive his award. Organisers said they would send it to his house as his wife is now abroad. Jamaat Secretary General Ali Ahsan Muhammad Mojaheed, who was scheduled to be the chief guest at the function, did not turn up. He was represented by Maulana Rafiqul Islam Khan, ameer of city unit of the party. Several other Jamaat leaders including lawmaker Hamidur Rahman Azad were present at the programme. Many of the present top leaders of Jamaat including its Ameer Maulana Motiur Rahman Nizami and Secretary General Mojaheed were accused of war crimes. Leaders of Jamaat's student wing the then Islami Chhatra Sangha, now known as Islami Chhatra Shibir, and some other groups were involved in anti-liberation activities. Mojaheed was president of East Pakistan Islami Chhatra Sangha in 1971. Mojaheed asked workers of the organisation to form Al-Badr Bahini to resist freedom fighters, according to a "Fortnightly Secret Report on the Situation in East Pakistan". In line with an official procedure, the report used to be regularly dispatched by the then East Pakistan home ministry to General Yahya Khan, head of the Pakistan government. Many researches, academic studies, accounts of both victims and collaborators, and publications including newspapers revealed that Mojaheed, who headed the Al Badr team in Dhaka at that time, allegedly led those who had been involved in the killings of intellectuals -- only two days before the victory of liberation forces on December 16, 1971. Thousands of people still bear the scars of war crimes by Jamaat, Islami Chhatra Sangha and some other controversial outfits such as Nizam-e-Islami. Jamaat's opposition to the struggle for independence has been documented in different publications including those by the party itself. | |
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