Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has issued the following statement on 26 July 2020 demanding release of Jamaat’s Nayeb-e-Ameer Allama Delawar Hossain Sayedee, Assistant Secretary General ATM Azharul Islam and other detained leaders and activists ahead of the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha.

Nayeb-e-Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and world-renowned religious scholar Maulana Delawar Hossain Sayedee has been remaining behind the bar for last 10 years. Assistant Secretary General ATM Azharul Islam has been kept detained for 9 years and former MP Principal Maulana Abdul Khaleque Mondol for 5 years and editor of Bengali daily ‘Sangram’ Mr. Abul Asad is imprisoned for 8 months. They all are suffering from various diseases including cardiac disease, diabetes and high blood pressure. The review hearing in the case of ATM Azharul Islam is pending for hearing. Veteran editor Abul Asad has become sick inside the prison already.

Former Jamaat Ameer Professor Ghulam Azam’s son and retired Brigadier General (Rtd.) of Bangladesh Army Abdullahil Aman Al-Azmi and the son of Jamaat’s former central executive committee member Mir Quasem Ali and lawyer of Bangladesh Supreme Court Barrister Mir Ahmad Bin Quasem are missing since August of 2016. They have been abducted by some people who had claimed themselves as the law enforcers. Their families do not know their whereabouts till now.

These families have been living amid deep worries and uncertainties for 4 years. They are eagerly waiting for their missing ones. We are urging to return them back before Eid-ul-Azha so that they can celebrate this holy occasion along with their families.

Police have unjustifiably arrested several leaders and activists of Chhatrashibir in Khulna recently. Police are also harassing them in different places of the country in connection with some false cases. The government is continuing their oppression and crackdown even in this prevailing critical situation. The nation is already suffering from floods and covid-19 situation. People are suffering terribly as their houses and other belongings have been submerged by the flood water.

Finally, I am calling upon the concerned authorities to release all the detained leaders and activists of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Chhatrashibir including Maulana Delawar Hossain Sayedee, ATM Azharul Islam, former MP Principal Maulana Abdul Khaleque Mondol and Abul Asad so that they can celebrate the Eid-ul-Azha with their families.