Assistant Secretary General of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Maulana Rafiqul Islam Khan has issued the following statement on 14 April 2020 protesting and condemning the arrests of Sirajganj district’s Ullapara Upazila unit Jamaat Secretary Maulana Taiyeb Ali.

“I am severely protesting and condemning the arrest of Maulana Taiyeb Ali. Couple of days back, on behalf of Ullapara Upazila unit Jamaat-e-Islami, foods and other reliefs were distributed among the poor people. Maulana Taiyeb Ali participated in those programs. But finally, he has been arrested as the concerned authority wanted to disrupt the food distribution program of Jamaat-e-Islami.

Amidst the ongoing lockdown situation, hundreds of thousands of people became workless. The people, who are used to live from hand to mouth, are rushing here and there to manage food. Under such a critical situation, Jamaat-e-Islami has undertaken program to distribute foods among the poor people nationwide. Sirajganj district Jamaat-e-Islami is also implementing the same program. But this incident of arrest takes place during such a distribution period. This arrest is a sham to the poor people and it is nothing but an inhuman initiative. I am urging the countrymen to raise voice against such inhuman repression in this difficult moment.

Local Awami League leaders and activists are claiming, only they will conduct the food distribution program. We want to assert that; this country does not belong to any particular party or person. Each and every citizen has the right to help others. So, I am calling upon the concerned authorities to stop brutal activities and to release Maulana Taiyeb Ali immediately.