London, November 17, 2024
During a Civic Reception held in his honor by the Coalition for Peace and Justice in Bangladesh at the Royal Regency, London, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, called on the UK government to assist in recovering money laundered from Bangladesh to the UK. “If the embezzled funds are returned to Bangladesh, the people of Bangladesh will remain forever grateful to you,” he stated while addressing the gathering as the chief guest.
Dr. Rahman criticized the Awami League government, labeling it a self-proclaimed fascist regime. “Truth establishes itself when spoken once, but lies need to be repeated to be believed. The atrocities committed over 16 years against the people by the Awami League demand accountability. They didn’t just strip people of their rights; they fostered lawlessness and committed killings before the nation’s eyes. Justice must be established through lawful means,” he asserted.
Reflecting on his personal ordeal, he remarked, “I, too, am a victim of unjust persecution. When I was arrested, I was accused of keeping bombs under my bed—a ludicrous charge!”
He further revisited the tragic events of February 25-26, 2009, when 57 patriotic officers and their family members were massacred at the BDR headquarters in Pilkhana. “The Awami League initiated their murderous politics with this heinous crime, which sought to demoralize the Bangladesh Army and dismantle the BDR force. Subsequently, they targeted Jamaat-e-Islami. Many national leaders underestimated the scope of this oppression at the time,” he lamented.
Dr. Rahman thanked the UK government for granting refuge and citizenship to those forced to flee Bangladesh due to political persecution. He appealed to the UK to uphold justice and refrain from harboring criminals.
Expressing gratitude to expatriates, he said, “By honoring me, you have honored the 180 million people of Bangladesh. We are indebted to you for raising your voice against the atrocities we couldn’t challenge on our soil. Your financial remittances have kept our economy alive; now, I urge you to send intellectual remittances to aid in the nation’s reconstruction.”
Dr. Rahman envisioned a humane Bangladesh where citizens live with dignity. “We dream of a society where mosques and temples need no guarding and where women live with respect and security. Women in the Prophet’s (PBUH) era even participated in battles,” he noted.
He also pledged state initiatives to repatriate the remains of expatriates who pass away abroad.
Addressing judicial killings, Dr. Rahman asserted that the charges against figures like Begum Khaleda Zia, former Jamaat Ameer Professor Ghulam Azam, and Matiur Rahman Nizami were baseless and politically motivated, as evidenced over time.
Recalling the July 2024 uprising, he highlighted the sacrifices of the students and citizens who took to the streets. “The movement began with students demanding their rights and later spread to the public. The martyrdom of brilliant individuals like Abu Saeed, who boldly demanded rights or death, remains etched in history.”
The civic reception was attended by notable figures, including Islamic scholar Mufti Sadruddin, UK Islamic scholars’ association president Sheikh Mawdud Hasan, Jamaat’s European spokesperson Barrister Abu Bakr Molla, Professor Dr. Hasnat Hossain MBE, Barristers Ataur Rahman and Nazir Ahmed, and media personalities like Mahi Ferdous Jalil.
The program, conducted by former student leaders Abu Saleh Yahya and Shamsul Alam Golap, began with Quran recitation by Maulana Hafiz Qazi Hamidul Haq and included Islamic songs performed by artists led by Naushad Mahfuz and Kamal Hossain.
The event saw a large turnout of Bangladeshi community leaders, activists, and well-wishers, transforming the civic reception into a grand public gathering. The Coalition for Peace and Justice in Bangladesh welcomed Dr. Rahman with floral bouquets, led by Mahfuz Nahid.
