Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher on Saturday said his party would extend full support to constructive and pragmatic reforms aimed at ensuring the welfare of the country and its people.
“Jamaat fully agrees with any pragmatic changes or reforms that are beneficial for the country, the nation and people,” he said in his opening speech at the talks with the National Consensus Commission at the LD Hall of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.
Taher emphasised that Jamaat is committed to cooperating with initiatives that promote national interest, provided they are realistic and beneficial for the public.
He also called for inclusive dialogue to make the reform process more effective and sustainable.
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A 10-member Jamaat delegation, led Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher, participated in the discussion that began at 10:30am with Vice Chairman of the National Consensus Commission Prof Ali Riaz in the chair.
Taher said they never want to prioritise party or personal interests over what is beneficial for the country and the nation.
“We agree that the nation wants to see a new Bangladesh,” he said, adding that people are frustrated with Bangladesh even after 54 years of independence and they feel deprived at least to some extent.
Noting that Bangladeshis a brave nation, he said whenever people were deprived, they protested and resisted.
“We had become independent in 1947 but did not get freedom. We gained independence in 1971 through a long struggle but didn’t become independent. We’ve gained a second wave of freedom or a new Bangladesh through the July mass uprising. But whether we are truly free, only time will tell,” he said.
He criticised past leaders for failing to value the people’s sacrifices and needs. “We hope the new opportunity before us will not be wasted like before. We must tread cautiously and, if necessary, act firmly. We must work to correct the fundamental issues.”
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Taher reaffirmed Jamaat’s strong commitment to Bangladesh’s independence and sovereignty. “We do not fear the red-eyes (threats) of any foreign power. We will not allow interference in our independence.”
Highlighting Jamaat’s internal democratic practices, he said, “Our party holds elections on time, without campaigns, candidates or panels, and through secret ballots.”
“We want elections in the country that the people of Bangladesh and the world will recognise as real elections. In the last three terms, no proper election has taken place,” he added.
Referring to the consequences of power without elections, he said the country has plunged into chaos, affecting the entire nation. “We do not want a repetition of this. We want transparent and fair elections, and we will fully cooperate to that end.”
Taher said Jamaat envisions a corruption-free Bangladesh. “Corruption is the biggest reason behind the sorry state of today’s Bangladesh. Without corruption, chaos cannot thrive. Getting elected without votes is a major form of corruption. Earning money without labour is corruption. Pocketing funds in the name of development is corruption. A corruption-free Bangladesh is Jamaat’s commitment,” said Taher.
Consensus Commission members Safar Raj Hossain, Justice Emdadul Haque, Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar and Dr Iftekharuzzaman were present at the discussion moderated by Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant Monir Haider.
Jamaat delegation members included its Secretary General Professor Mia Golam Porwar, assistant secretaries general Rafiqul Islam Khan, AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad and Ehsanul Mahbub Jubair, publicity and media affairs secretary Matiur Rahman Akand, Jamaat Dhaka South City unit Ameer Nurul Islam Bulbul and Shishir Monir.
On March 20 last, the National Consensus Commission opened its dialogues with political parties aiming to build a national consensus on the reform initiatives undertaken by the interim government.
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The commission has already held talks with 16 political parties, including BNP and National Citizen Party (NCP).
The commission formed under the leadership of Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus aims to establish a unified stance on critical reforms.