Jamaat leaders reiterated that through proportional representation (PR), a quality parliament, free from muscle power and black money should be established on the basis of everyone’s participation, a government should be formed, and no one should become fascist; those who oppose it are essentially against the people and they are trying to block PR.

As part of the previously announced program by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami to realize its 5-point demands—including elections under the PR system in light of the July National Charter and to ensure its legal basis for holding a free, fair, and acceptable election in the upcoming February—peaceful demonstrations were held this afternoon (Friday, September 19) in the country’s City cities. At these gatherings, central leaders attended as chief guests, presented arguments in favor of implementing the demands, and delivered valuable speeches. The attending crowds voiced their support for the demands, filling the assemblies and protest marches with slogans.

Nayeb-e-Ameer and former MP Professor Mujibur Rahman addressed as chief guest in Barisal City; Secretary General and former MP Professor Mia Golam Porwar in Rangpur City; Assistant Secretary General Mawlana Rafiqul Islam Khan in Chittagong City; Assistant Secretary General and former MP Dr. Hamidur Rahman Azad in Sylhet City; Assistant Secretary General Advocate Moazzem Hossain Helal in Rajshahi City; Assistant Secretary General Advocate Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair in Mymensingh City; and central executive council member, and Jamaat’s central publicity and media secretary Advocate Matiur Rahman Akanda in Khulna City.
Barisal City:

Nayeb-e-Ameer and former MP Professor Mujibur Rahman said, “There is no alternative to voting for establishing people’s rights. The people of this country want an election where their rights will be established. For that, elections must be held under the PR system, because PR is the only way to ensure that every vote is counted. Do not delay or neglect the PR system—if needed, hold a referendum to test public opinion on PR.”

He said these words while addressing Barisal City Jamaat’s protest demonstration as chief guest. He further said, “No more opportunities will be given to fascists and their cohorts in this country. Even now, cohorts of fascists are hiding inside the administration. They must be removed to hold elections. Necessary reforms must be carried out quickly for that. Those parties, including Jatiya Party, that acted as allies of fascism must be brought to justice. Only after implementing the July Charter should elections be held. The trial of fascists and their cohorts must be ensured. A level playing field must be guaranteed for a fair election.”

The meeting was presided over by central working committee member and Barisal City Ameer Principal Zahid Uddin Babar, conducted by City Assistant Secretary Muhammad Atikullah. Special guest was central Majlis-e-Shura member and Barisal District Ameer Professor Abdul Jabbar. After the assembly, thousands of Jamaat leaders and activists marched through the main roads of the city in a protest procession.

Rangpur City:
At a rally held at 2:30 pm at Rangpur City Public Library ground, Secretary General and former MP Professor Mia Golam Porwar said, “There is no alternative to PR elections to end fascist rule. The people of Bangladesh no longer want to see the fascist rule of authoritarian forces. A free, fair, and acceptable election must be held in February based on the outlines given in the July National Charter. The people’s voting rights must be restored, and justice must be established. The election must be conducted under the PR system so that representation of all parties in parliament is ensured according to the proportion of votes received by each. At the same time, all paths to becoming fascist are shut off. A level playing field must be ensured so every voter can cast their vote freely and safely.”

He further said, “The tyrannical fascist Hasina government’s oppression, enforced disappearances, killings, mass murder, plundering, and all types of corruption must be brought visibly to justice. The Awami League, Jatiya Party, and the 14-party alliance are all guilty of the same crimes. Therefore, the activities of all accomplices of fascist forces must be banned. These demands have now become the people’s lifeline. We strongly urge the interim government to immediately accept these rightful and logical demands of the people.”

The protest rally was presided over by City Ameer Mawlana ATM Azam Khan. Special guests included Rangpur-Dinajpur regional assistant coordinator and central working committee member Mawlana Momtaz Uddin; central working committee member and Rangpur-3 constituency MP candidate Professor Mahbubur Rahman Belal; Rangpur District Ameer and Rangpur-5 constituency MP candidate Professor Golam Rabbani.

After the assembly, a massive protest march led by Professor Mia Golam Parwar started from the Public Library ground and concluded at Shapla Square.

Chattogram City:
Assistant Secretary General of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Maulana Rafiqul Islam Khan said, “A section is dreaming of holding elections in Awami League style. The people of Bangladesh will not allow any Awami-style election on this soil. Only after visible trial of the July killings must elections be held under the PR system.”

He said this while addressing the protest march and assembly at the north gate of Anderkilla Shahi Jame Mosque in Chattogram City as chief guest. After the assembly, the mass procession paraded the main roads and ended at New Market junction with a brief assembly.

He further said Jamaat-e-Islami will participate in elections even tomorrow if the government accepts Jamaat’s 5-point demands.

The rally was presided over by central Majlis-e-Shura member, acting Chattogram City Ameer Muhammad Nazrul Islam, and hosted by central Majlis-e-Shura member and Chattogram City Secretary Principal Muhammad Nurul Amin. Special guest was central Assistant Secretary General Mawlana Muhammad Shahjahan.

In his special address, Muhammad Shahjahan said, “The entire nation is eager for a festive election. Some accuse us of wanting to delay elections. We firmly say Jamaat has already declared candidates for 300 seats and started work, but in others we see no visible election activities. Those obstructing the legal basis of the July Charter, blocking necessary reforms, and opposing PR elections—knowing their own downfall—are the ones actually trying to delay the February elections.”

Sylhet City:
In his chief guest speech, former MP Dr. A.H.M. Hamidur Rahman Azad said, “Was extortion and terrorism the aspiration of the July Revolution? The interim government has failed to strictly suppress terrorists and extortionists. A particular party, failing to control its own leaders and activists, has become desperate to return to power through a reckless election. All reforms and consensus commission decisions of the interim government are being dictated by the will of that party.”

He added, “We are ready to solve all crises at the discussion table. If not that way, then we are also ready to solve them on the streets. If you want to test public opinion, we are ready for that too—hold a referendum. Still, in this country, no one will be allowed to become fascist through staged elections without the desired reforms.”

Mymensingh City:
At a pre-march demonstration at Railway Krishnachura Square in Mymensingh city, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s central Assistant Secretary General Advocate Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair.

He said, “The July Charter is the aspiration, love, and expectation of the people of this country. To ensure that another authoritarian government does not take power again, elections must be held in February under the PR system with the legal basis of the July Charter. This movement of Jamaat is for building a terrorism-free and corruption-free humane Bangladesh.”

Mymensingh city Ameer Maulana Kamrul Ahsan Emrul presided over the program. Special guests included central executive council member Manzurul Islam Bhuiyan, Mymensingh regional team member and district Ameer Abdul Karim.

Khulna City:
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami central publicity secretary Advocate Matiur Rahman Akanda said, “On August 5, 2024, fascist Sheikh Hasina fled due to the mass uprising of students and people. Thereafter, an interim government assumed power according to the aspirations of the students and people. Through PR, let a quality parliament free of muscle power and black money be formed on the basis of everyone’s participation, a government be formed, and no one turn fascist. Those who do not want this are going against the people by trying to block PR.” He called upon the people to remain on the streets until the demands are realized.

He said this in his chief guest address at the Khulna City and District Jamaat’s demonstration held at the Sonali Bank square in Dakbangla, the heart of the city.
The assembly was presided over by central Majlis-e-Shura member and Khulna City Ameer, Khulna-3 MP candidate Professor Mahfuzur Rahman, and hosted by Assistant Secretary Advocate Muhammad Shah Alam and Principal Sheikh Jahangir Alam. Special guests included central organizational secretary, Khulna regional director, and Satkhira-2 MP candidate Muhaddis Abdul Khaleq; central working committee member and Khulna regional assistant director, Khulna-6 MP candidate Maulana Abul Kalam Azad; central Majlis-e-Shura member and Khulna regional team member Master Shafiqul Alam; and central Majlis-e-Shura member and Khulna District Ameer Maulana Emran Husain.