Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s Ameer, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, issued a statement on 11 December, remembering with deep respect the contributions of the then Assistant Secretary General of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, distinguished journalist and intellectual, Abdul Quader Molla.

In the statement, he said: “The then Assistant Secretary General of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, distinguished journalist and intellectual Abdul Quader Molla, played an active role in the struggle to establish an Islamic society in Bangladesh till the final moments of his martyrdom. He was simultaneously a politician, writer, educationist, and researcher, and he made significant contributions to the development of the country and the nation. In the anti-autocracy movement of the 1990s, he served as a member of the liaison committee. He played a courageous role in the movement to establish democracy, the rule of law, justice, and the legitimate rights of the people. As a pen soldier, he used his writings to awaken the conscience of the people.

On 13 July 2010, the government arrested him in a politically motivated false case and later filed a conspiratorial case against him at the International Crimes Tribunal. The Tribunal sentenced him to life imprisonment. Later, under the influence of the Awami League government and in response to the demands of the Gonojagoron Mancha established at Shahbagh under government patronage, the then government amended the law and filed an appeal. Under the amended law, he was sentenced to death. Abdul Quader Molla was not given the opportunity to appeal against the death sentence. Even before the full verdict rejecting his review petition was released, his execution was carried out hastily at 10:01 pm on 12 December 2013. Nearly one and a half years after his execution, the full verdict rejecting his review petition was finally made public. These events clearly prove that he was the victim of a cruel mockery in the name of justice!

Before his execution, Shaheed Abdul Quader Molla said, ‘The government is unjustly executing me. Every drop of blood from my body will further inspire the leaders and workers of the Islamic movement in their struggle.’ He called upon the leaders and workers of the Islamic movement to avenge his blood by establishing Islam.

We remember with deep respect his contributions to the Islamic movement, and we pray to the Almighty Allah for the acceptance of his martyrdom. I call upon all Jamaat workers, dignitaries, well-wishers, and the people of the country to move forward with determination toward realizing the Islamic society that he dreamed of establishing throughout his life.”