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DHAKA: Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami wants to establish good governance and ensure equal rights and respect for people of all faiths, Mohammad Selim Uddin, the party’s Dhaka North city unit ameer, said on Sunday.
“Honest leadership is needed to solve people’s problems in society,” he said at an exchange of views with leaders of the Sanatan (Hindu) community organised by Jamaat’s Ward 18 unit under Gulshan East police station.
The programme, which included the distribution of gifts, was held at 9:30pm on Sunday, October 18. Selim Uddin, a member of the party’s Central Executive Council and its Dhaka North city unit ameer, attended as the chief guest. He is also a candidate for mayor of Dhaka North City Corporation.
The meeting was chaired by Mohammad Zillur Rahman, a member of the city unit’s Majlis-e-Shura and ameer of Jamaat’s Gulshan East police station unit.
Addressing the gathering, Selim Uddin said Jamaat wanted to establish good governance. Islam prohibits derogatory remarks about places of worship and religious leaders of other faiths, he said, adding that it teaches tolerance and friendly behaviour.
“Whatever their religion, our neighbours have their rights, and those rights must be respected,” he said.
He claimed that Jamaat had never committed injustice against members of other religious communities, saying the party sought to follow Islamic teachings that require people to treat everyone as human beings and respect every individual.
Referring to what he described as propaganda against Jamaat, Selim Uddin said people were now able to judge what was true. He cited the sweeping victories of student organisations in central student union elections at several universities as evidence of changing public perceptions.
Reassuring members of the Hindu community, he said they should be able to observe their religious rituals and festivals freely in Bangladesh.
“If anyone creates problems for you, we will try to stand together with you, regardless of political affiliation, and work to protect your rights,” he said.
Speaking about civic services, Selim Uddin said an app had been developed to provide citizens with more than 50 service-related facilities.
He reiterated that society needed honest leaders who would stand beside people and ensure good governance.