Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s Secretary General and former lawmaker Professor Mia Golam Porwar has issued the following statement on 4 May 2021 protesting and condemning the unjustified arrest of 25 fasting Muslims from a family oriented iftar program from Ullapara municipality area of the Sirajganj district and simultaneous arrests of 5 laborers from a discussion of International Workers’ Day from Bohuli union of Sirajganj Sadar Upazila.

“Police have arrested 25 fasting Muslims from a family oriented iftar program arranged in the house of Saiful Islam, a businessman of Ullapara municipality area of the Sirajganj district. Explosive case was filed against 8 of them and rest of the detainees were released.

In another incident, police arrested 5 laborers from a discussion arranged by Sirajganj SadarUpazila’sBohuli union Sramik Kollan Federation on the eve of the International Workers’ Day. Police also seized 5 motor cycles, 2 auto rickshaws, 3 easy bikes, 2 battery-run rickshaw van and 6 mobile set from the spot.

In connection with these incidents, police also filed a case under special power act against 37 people including district Jamaat Ameer Maulana Shahinur Alam and district Jamaat Secretary Professor Jahidul Islam. On 3 May evening, police arrested Shahzadpur Upazila Jamaat’s former Ameer Maulana Abdul Khaleq in front of his residence and he has been shown in the same case under special power act. There no arrest warrant or case against any of these personnel earlier. Police have arrested just to harass them. Police have been arresting Jamaat leaders and activists from various parts of the country for last couple of days. Government has hijacked the freedom of speech of the people. The entire nation has turned into a giant prison now. I am condemning such arrest drive of the police forces.

The last 10 days of the holy month of Ramadan is going on. In a Muslim majority country like Bangladesh, entire month of Ramadan is being observed amid due religious fervor. For many years, iftar programs are being arranged in this month and it has become a part of our religious and social culture. But the incumbent government is setting a bad precedence by detaining people from such peaceful religious programs. Many crimes are being taken place in the country now. Instead of arresting those offenders, the government is arresting the fasting people which is really unfortunate.

I am urging the concerned authorities to release all detained leaders and activists immediately.

In another statement, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s Assistant Secretary General Maulana Rafiqul Islam Khan protested such arrest drive and crack down of the police forces and urged the authorities concerned to release all detained leaders and activists immediately.