On Monday, July 21 at 2 pm, Charge d' Affaires of the US Embassy in Dhaka Ms. Tracy Ann Jacobson met with the Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Dr. Shafiqur Rahman at the central office of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami. She was accompanied by Embassy official Mr. James Stewart. The meeting was held in a very sincere and cordial atmosphere.

Among the Jamaat leaders, Nayeb-e-Ameer and former MP Dr. Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher, Secretary General and former MP Professor Mia Golam Porwar, Assistant Secretary General, and Head of Central Media and Publicity Department Adv. Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair, Assistant Secretary of Women's Department of Jamaat-e-Islami, Sayeda Rumman, Central Working Committee Member of Women's Department Professor Dr. Habiba Chowdhury Sweet, Member of Majlis-e-Shura of the Central Women's Division, and Former Member of Parliament Dr. Amina Rahman, and Foreign Affairs Advisor to Jamaat Ameer Professor Dr. Mahmudul Hasan were present during the meeting.

After the interview, Dr. Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher said in a brief press briefing that the Honorable Charge d' Affairs wanted to know about Bangladesh, especially the reform process, and election preparations. She also wanted to know our position regarding the security threat that we have in this region. She wanted to know our views and Bangladesh's position regarding terrorism. We have informed our views and position about these issues.

He also said, we have made it clear that we want a fair election. We want basic reforms. We are adamant to ensure a strong situation to remove corruption and extortion from the politics of Bangladesh. We want to build a corruption-free Bangladesh. We always stand for democracy. We have also said that our foreign policy is friendship with all and enmity with none. We want to work in the same way as a generational standard of theory and theme - with mutual respect, understanding and communications. We have also said that we believe in the principle and policy of good neighborhood approach with all neighboring countries in a congenial atmosphere with security and rights.

It was also discussed that the bilateral relations between USA and Bangladesh will be better in the future. The US had worked with Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami in the past and expressed hope that they will work more closely in the future.

It was stated that, during the meeting, the Jamaat Ameer has specifically requested them about one issue, which is about tariffs. America has imposed a 30% tariff on our business; which will affect our country's economy specially the garment sector severely. The Jamaat Ameer has made a special request to the US President and the Government through the Honorable Charge d' Affairs to reduce the tariff to a tolerable level so that we can continue to produce garments and other export-oriented goods as usually.

In response to another question regarding regional security, Dr. Taher said, we did not talk about any particular country. We also have concerns on regional issues. We have agreed to cooperate where mutual cooperation is possible and necessary.

In response to a question regarding the establishment of an office of the United Nations Human Rights Commission in Bangladesh, Dr. Taher said, our position on this matter is very clear; If there is anything that is against humanity, against our culture, against our religious teachings, then of course we will oppose it and we are opposing it. If it is an expansion to provide positive help, then it is okay. Therefore, we will determine our role after closely monitoring the updates.

It is worth noting that at one stage of the courtesy meeting, the leaders of the female wing of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami presented a traditional Jamdani saree to the Honorable Charge d' Affairs.