Chapter one:
It is natural that the general masses would have some curiosity about the highest leader of a particular movement. Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami is an Islamic movement; simultaneously it is a political party. Right now this party is a hot topic of discussion worldwide. From the existing political perspective of Bangladesh, by the grace of Almighty Allah, this party has become successful to drawn the kind of attention of the people of all sections. The government is a carrying out inhuman oppression and torture upon Jamaat-e-Islami including murder, abduction and brutal torture in the name of remand. But facing and overcoming all these suppressions, Jamaat is moving forward dynamically with its solemn ideology. The peace loving and democratic people of the country have chosen Jamaat-e-Islami as their favorite shelter in order to attain security, peace and tranquility. People’s love and sympathy for Jamaat-e-Islami is increasing significantly.
The government has made unprecedented oppression against Jamaat-e-Islami by unlawfully executing its Ameer Shaheed (martyr) Maulana Matiur Rahman Nizami, Secretary General Shaheed Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujahid, Senior Assistant Secretary General Shaheed Muhammad Kamaruzzaman, Assistant Secretary General Shaheed Abdul Quader Molla and party’s central executive committee member Mir Quasem Ali. These repressions of the government have ingrained the position of Jamaat-e-Islami among the mass people.
Following the unjust execution of Ameer-e-Jamaat Maulana Matiur Rahman Nizami, his close associate and the man of decency Mr. Maqbul Ahmad became the Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami as per the party constitution, who had served this party for last 6 years as the Acting Ameer. But immediate after his sworn in as Ameer-e-Jamaat, massive propaganda initiated against him. Some false, concocted and fabricated stories are made to tarnish the image of the new Ameer-e-Jamaat.
After his assuming of office of the Ameer-e-Jamaat, a vested quarter started propaganda implicating him with different notorious incidents of 1971. Their target is to make Maqbul Ahmad questionable and to carry same sort of oppression against him by implicating him with some conspiracy cases. Such misdeeds of this vested group substantially clarified the fact whoever would become the Jamaat Ameer, he would be the victim of ill campaign and intentional propaganda. Actually Maqbul Ahmad has no nexus with those foul campaigns. Since his birth, he is used to lead such a decent life that no question is emanated at all of his alleged involvement with any types of controversial activities. A short glimpse on his life would further clarify that what kind of decent man he is, what is his identity. In this backdrop, a brief biography of Ameer-e-Jamaat Maqbul Ahmad is given below:
Chapter Two:
Birth:
Mr. Maqbul Ahmad was born in 10th Joistho (Bengali calendar) of 1345 (Bengali year) at Omrabad village of Chandrapur Union under Dagonbhuiyan thana of the Feni district. It was a Tuesday. He hailed at dawn. He has 5 brothers and 3 sisters. He is 5th among his siblings.
His father Alhaj Naderuzzaman was known as a respected man with the spirit of justice. His mother Anjirer Nesa was a housewife. His mother was used to help the poor and impoverished peoples and listened to their miseries. This is why, those unfortunate peoples loved her so much. Many often then came to her to take household accessories and other assistance.
People also came to his father for resolving their crises. He tried to ensure justices for all. He was also interested about the social services. He earned great reputation for his humanitarian approaches. He, in every year arranged Iftar for the poor peoples of the locality. Following the iftar, he also organized dinner for them. He also became a man of respect for such benevolence. During the Eid-ul-Azha, he also hosted the local people with the cattle meat. Those occasions thus turned into a celebration for all. People of all sections attended those events spontaneously.
The humble and simple of life of his parents influenced Maqbul Ahmad a lot. Since his boyhood, upholding the spirits of social justice and benevolence, he tried sincerely to do something better for the masses.
Childhood education:
Mr. Maqbul Ahmad participated in group recitation of the holy Quran in the local Maktab (religious primary school) of his village. Those were the days of rejoice and celebration. He completed 4th standard from his village. Later he got admitted in the Dagon Bhuiyan Ataturk High School. He was the first boy of his class and gained reputation as a brilliant student. He stood first in the final exam of class eight. Maqbul Ahmad had been transferred to Feni as late Jalal Ahmed BA.BT, the principal of the school transferred in Feni. In those days he continued his study as a lodging teacher in the house of his relatives. The members of those families also loved him so much. Still Maqbul Ahmad remembers those favorite personnel and prayed for them.
During the school life, in the vacation he went to his native house for single day. But he could stay in house for at least 20 days after the annual exam of the school. In the vacations, he passed his time by playing and visiting different places with his relatives and friends.
College life:
When he was a student of Feni College, he founded a social organization named ‘Omrabad Polli Mongol Samiti’ comprising some school and college bound students in 1962. He, in those periods, also took part in various social activities like drainage cleaning and road repair activities. His social activities got a huge response in the locality. During his college life, renowned Islamic scholar and professor of political science, Ghulam Azam was invited in a religious discussion marking the Miladunnabi day in his college by the initiative of the then Principal Obaidullah Mazumdar, who became the lawmaker and a minister of Awami League. Professor Ghulam Azam in that program beautifully discussed on ‘The ideology of the life of the holy Prophet (peace be upon Him). Since then, Maqbul Ahmad became attracted to read the holy Quran and the life history of the holy Prophet.
The discussions of that Sirat have influenced Mr. Maqbul Ahmad a lot. That discussion made him understand that the main crisis of the society is the absence of honest and qualified persons. So it is the basic task of the Islamic movement to resolve the public crises by creating honest leadership through some comprehensive efforts.
From the speeches of Professor Ghulam Azam, he became able to realize the life and the ideology of the holy Prophet (Peace be Upon Him). Mr. Maqbul Ahmad also understood that the Prophet commenced the task of resolving public miseries by launching the spirit of truth and honesty among the people.
It is important to know the creator of the human being, His rules and regulations and also to carry effort in order to modify individual and the society. The holy Prophet (Peace be upon Him) led the benevolent society named Hilful Fuzl. His tasks were to educate the kids and to assist the poor and impoverished peoples for eliminating mass miseries and to protect the people from repression. Hilful Fuzl could serve the people but it could not wipe out the suppressions and tortures. This is why; the Prophet passed days amidst worries. He passed the time through contemplation at the Hera cave. Within days, holy Quran was revealed to Him. Instruction came to sermon people towards the path of the Almighty. The holy verses came up, ‘There is no God but Allah and Mohammad is His messenger.’ Without knowing the Almighty or following His messenger, a welfare society can never be established. The holy Prophet described the identity of Almighty Allah to the people. Once, he climbed up the Safa hills and called the people saying ‘Did anyone of you see the other side of the hills? Will you believe if I say that there are enemies at the other side? People replied yes, we do as you are the most trustworthy man of our community. Then the Prophet responded, ok then I am declaring that I am the messenger of God, there is no comparison to him. His own reign is prevailing in the world and hereafter. If you follow His sermons (Quran) you can live peacefully in this world and also will get paradise in the life hereafter.’
The subsequent history is very clear. The people who had termed him so far as trustworthy they refused for their own interest. But despite those protests and obstructions, the Prophet (sm) continued preaching those sermons. The people of the Quraish tribals, also tried to allure him by some worldly facilities, fascinating ladies and power. But refusing their offer He continued to call people to the path of peace and truth. He also responded saying that ‘if you think that I have started this campaign for acquiring power and other earthly privileges then you are wrong. I will not give up my work even if give the sun in one hand and the moon in the other. He also faced severe torture and oppressions. They also plotted conspiracy to kill him. Ignoring all those protests, he continued His missions. At one stage, he left his birth land and migrated to Madina.
Apparently, the problem got resolved. The enemies of the Islam became happy but that comfort did not last longer. They plotted conspiracy and the holy Prophet left Makkah for Madina. They thought that the holy Prophet would be stronger in Madina and would hit them back again. So they planned to attack Madina.
The holy Prophet (Peace be upon Him) proceeded to face His enemies with a very small group in contrast of their huge gathering. The two sides engaged in a war in the ground of Badr. In this unbalanced battle, the Muslim forces secured victory with the divine blessings of the Almighty. History later assessed this war in many occasions. But no English, Christian, Jewish or non-Muslim historian could find out the real reason behind the miraculous victory of the Muslim force. Only the believers realized that the victory came up on that day based on the Muslim’s viral Imani strength, power of truth and justice and most accurately with the blessings of the Almighty Allah.
In that hour long discussion, Professor Ghulam Azam pointed out various sides of the Prophet’s life and claimed that if any ideological party can prepare themselves depending on the blessings of the Almighty Allah, they can proceed successfully.
The second point that he highlighted was, the conception of the loss and victory is different in Islam. In the struggle for establishing Islam if you become victorious, then you are successful, if you apparently fail even though you are successful too. The success lies in your relentless effort defying all obstacles if it is carried out for the satisfaction of Almighty Allah. The conventional conception of victory and losing is totally dissimilar with that very conception of Islam.
Mr. Maqbul Ahmad still cannot forget the lectures of Professor Ghulam Azam what he had heard while studying in Feni College. Still he recalls those words. The rituals of the Eid-e-Miladunnabi were not significant but the most important part is the light that someone can find while listening such a lecture. Since listening to that outstanding speech, Maqbul Ahmad got involved actively with the Islamic movement. The meaningful and thought provoking speeches and the exceptional personality of the speaker Professor Ghulam Azam had changed his life direction completely.
Sports:
Maqbul Ahmad is a sports loving person. While studying in Feni College, he took part in different sports competition. He participated in the swimming competition and secured the first position. Occasionally, he played Football. In those days, there was a huge popularity of the Gollachut, Kabadi and different other local games. He often took part in those games as well.
Working life:
Mr. Maqbul Ahmad initiated his working career with a government job. At first, he found a job in banking sector. But he denied which caused severe reaction within his family. In 1962, he joined in the publications department of the then Pakistan federal government in Dhaka. From the beginning he had a negative tendency about government jobs. In order to maintain a free life, he subsequently resigned from the government office and engaged in teaching profession. In the teaching profession, a teacher can disseminate his knowledge and acquired idea in some welfare activities to produce future quality citizens. He had similar hidden feeling as well. After passing BA degree, he had interest to acquire higher degree in journalism. He served Sharishadi High School as a teacher for 4 years and Feni Central High School for 3 years. Generally he taught English, Bengali, Geography and History. In his teaching career, he gained profound reputation among the students, teachers and guardians. He was elected as the teacher representative for consecutive 4 years in Sharishadi High School.
While reading Bengali literature in his school days, he taught the biography of the noted writers and the featuring part of their lives beautifully. As an ideal teacher, he tried to make his students as characteristic and noble citizen. After completing regular curriculum class, he also discussed some important issues including moral up gradation, ethics, respects for parents and balanced relationship with the neighbors. He also tried to dissolve the problems among the students.
In 1971, Maqbul Ahmad worked as the special correspondent in Daily Sangram. His reporting on prawn cultivation got huge response. In that report he had stated that, the black gold of Bengal once would exceeded the liquid gold of the Saudi Arabia and really this prawn fish gained huge popularity and acceptance worldwide.
How he joined the movement:
When Maqbul Ahmad was in class 9, he had been invited by the noted religious leader of Feni district Abdus Sattar for joining in Islamic movement. Initially, he did not responded properly to this call rather he replied, we don’t have interest about politics.
But that Abdus Sattar continued to pursue Maqbul Ahmad. At one stage, Maqbul Ahmad responded and joined the Islamic movement. Crossing many stages of life, now he is the Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami, the biggest Islamic movement of the country. Still he recalls the contribution of Abdus Sattar with deep gratitude as he had invited him to Islamic movement. He often send him books and others gift till date.
Allah’s satisfaction is the only target:
The main target of Mr. Maqbul Ahmad’s life is to attain the satisfaction of Almighty Allah. Accordingly he has modified and formulated his life. He discussed and delivered speeches in different meetings, study circles, training courses and party programs on the importance of centralizing every aspects of life for the satisfaction of the Almighty Allah.
Recalling an incident of the student life, he said,
I can remember a beautiful incident of my school life. When we were student, we were often asked to write an essay titled ‘Your aim in life’. Somebody wrote that he wanted to be a doctor, or engineer or even a minister. We have also written and secure marks in the exam as well. But after joining the Islamic movement it has been changed and the meaning of the Quranic verse "Say, Truly, my prayer And my service of Sacrifice, My life and my death, are (all) for Allah, the cherisher of the worlds.".... (SURA-6 AL ANAAM. AYAT 162) has changed everything. I said in many discussions, aim cannot be fixed for becoming a doctor or engineer or any other thing. We can just say that what we would like to choose as profession. But actually we should have the aim as the holy Quran has stated that "Say, Truly,my prayer And my service of Sacrifice, My life and my death,are (all) for Allah , the cherisher of the worlds.".... (SURA-6 AL ANAAM. AYAT 162).
Whenever I talked and discussed, I mentioned this verse as reference and narrated that this spirit should be our aim in life. Whatever I do in my life, should be made keeping this spirit. My welfare and success lies in attaining His satisfaction who have created me, brought up me and provided every single ingredient to make my life happy and complete.
At present, the sufferings, tortures, oppressions what we are facing now, is the cause of our disobedience towards the Almighty. But unfortunately, we are not aware of this reason even. Right now we are giving priority on knowing technology or securing life facilities and privileges. But many of us are not carrying out any effort to know our creator.
Organizational life:
He got involved with the greater Islamic movement while he serving Sharishadi school as a teacher. But the school principal did not life that. At that time, Jamaat inspired him to shift in Mohkuma town Feni for organizational interest. Resultantly, he transferred to Feni central high school in the town. Later he started his new life.
He took part in preaching activities in order to take the organization in the grassroots level. At that time, party tasks were going on speedily.
In his organizational life, he discharged duty as the unit chief of the remotest village, thana president, Mohkuma and town unit president. Later he worked for the district, then division, then centrally as organizing secretary, assistant secretary general and Nayeb-e-Ameer. In his organizational life, he got the company and close touch of some great personnel including Professor Ghulam Azam, late Abbas Ali Khan, Maulana AKM Yousuf, Maulana Abdur Rahim, Professor Osman Ramaj, Mr. Abdul Khaleq (Akhaura), Maulana Abdul Jabbar (Kishorganj), former lawmaker Master Shafiqullah and Professor Syed Mohammad Ali.
He also got the privilege to work in Chittagong division. At that time, there were huge crowd in train and bus service so he often visit Sylhet, Srimangal, Moulavibazar, Habiganj and Sunamganj.
While discharging duty as the Feni Mohkuma chief, he was used to walk more than 15 miles sloppy roads bearing Islamic books on his shoulder. When arrived, he became so exhausted that he became compelled to take rest and started organizational tasks from the following morning. After one or two days of working at a stretch, he backed in Feni town again. In those days, Feni-Shonagazi road was not straight. It was zigzag and remained muddy often. So walking on that road was not so easy. Ignoring those troubles, he continued his work for Islamic movement and still he is doing it with same enthusiasm.
