“Repeatedly calling them fascists and fascism bothers me, as they are also family members,” said Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, the Amir of Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh. He said this Wednesday at a local hall in London while speaking with the leaders of the British Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BBCCCI).
“I am not a fundamentalist Muslim, and I am not a fundamentalist,” Shafiqur Rahman stated while speaking as the chief guest, who was chaired by BBCCCI President Rafique Haider. There is nothing wrong with fundamentalism. We require roots, just as a tree cannot exist without them. I am not, however, a Muslim who adheres to the demonized form of fundamentalism. Our goal is to create a unified Bangladesh. Since they are also part of our political family, I dislike constantly calling them fascists and fascism. Humans commit corruption, and even the offender is a person. Anyone who commits a transgression ought to provide an apology, and corrupt officials will face consequences. Justice, not oppression or injustice, shall be used to punish them. I do not think it is right to repeatedly insult them. Therefore, I will say, those who have done politics in the past, whether they made mistakes or rectified them, have done it. Now, let us think about what we will do. What benefit is there in simply following them? The nation has witnessed what they have done. The nation will judge what they will or will not do. Now, the question is, What will we do for the nation?”
“As a political institution, not as Jamaat-e-Islami, we are stating that we want Bangladesh where there will be no differences in religion, caste, party, or opinion,” he continued. This shouldn’t be the situation. A citizen’s caste and religion shouldn’t be taken into account at birth. It should be important that they are citizens of Bangladesh. That is their main characteristic.
Source: Manab Zamin
