Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Dr. Shafiqur Rahman issued a condolence message on February 9 expressing deep condolences over the death of former Chief Election Commissioner of Bangladesh and former Justice of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court Justice Muhammad Abdur Rauf.

In the condolence message, he said that former Chief Election Commissioner of Bangladesh and former Justice of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, Muhammad Abdur Rauf passed away at 10 am on February 9 while undergoing treatment at Insaf Baraka Hospital in Moghbazar of the capital Dhaka (Inna Lillahi wa Inna Ilaihi Rajiun). He had been undergoing treatment for a long time due to heart complications.

In the condolence message, he further said that Justice Muhammad Abdur Rauf served the nation as the Chief Election Commissioner from 1990 to 1995. He was currently serving as the Chairman of the National Coordination Committee against Corruption and the President of the National Children's Organization Fulkuri.

He said, the example of professionalism, transparency and sense of responsibility that he has set in his long legal career is absolutely rare. As far as I know, he never cared about anyone's satisfaction or dissatisfaction to stand by the side of the truly oppressed. In many cases, he has provided legal assistance despite various challenges. His fight for the oppressed will be remembered in history. On behalf of the oppressed, I remember him with deep gratitude.

He said, during his tenure as Chief Election Commissioner, he gifted the nation a free, fair, impartial and participatory election in 1991; an election that was accepted by everyone at home and abroad. His impartiality, honesty and competence were unquestionable.

After 15 years of fascism, at the beginning of the establishment of democracy, rule of law and justice in the country, there was a great need for a talented guardian like him. In his demise, the nation lost a very idealistic, patriotic, liberal democrat, legal expert, just judge and an Islamic personality.

May Allah Almighty forgive all his mistakes, accept his good deeds and grant him a high position in Jannah. I express my deepest condolences to his bereaved family, relatives, well-wishers and colleagues and pray for his departed soul. May Allah grants them the strength to bear this great loss.