Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami assistant secretary general Maulana Abdul Halim has said the current government is again plotting to destroy Islami Bank by handing it to the “internationally recognised bank robber S Alam,” and that “we will not let this conspiracy succeed.” He spoke as chief guest at a discussion titled “The conspiracy against Islami Bank, financial security and steps to establish customers’ rightful rights,” organised by the Nagorik Mancha at the National Press Club on Sunday afternoon.
Saying various conspiracies to destroy Islami Bank are under way, Maulana Abdul Halim said the people of the country do not want the BNP government to lead this destruction. Islami Bank was set up to establish the model that “business is halal and interest is haram,” he said, and there is no scope to take the bank’s 30 million customers lightly. Warning the government, he said the destruction of a financial institution would not be pleasant for the government or anyone else: “We customers will not accept destroying Islami Bank to benefit someone else. The banking sector must not be politicised. We want the bank’s security and good management.” Customers themselves are protesting to protect Islami Bank, he added.
As special guest, media personality Dr Faizul Haque said he found no difference between the conduct of the current BNP government and the fallen Awami League government, and that it was shameful that Islami Bank customers were having to “shed blood” even under this government — something that also called the July uprising into question. He warned that seizing Islami Bank would bring about the government’s downfall. Lt Col (retd) Hasinur Rahman said no one would be allowed to toy with Islami Bank: “This bank is our bank; it will run by our decision.” The discussion, chaired by Nagorik Mancha chief coordinator Ahsan Ullah Shamim and moderated by Mohammad Humayun Kabir, was also addressed by Lt Col (retd) Faridul Akbar, advocate Moin Uddin, professor Dr Abu Hanif Khan, engineer Hafizur Rahman, Col (retd) Abu Yusuf Zubair, JAGPA leader Asadur Rahman Khan, Naval Commander (retd) Siddiqur Rahman, Major (retd) Harun Or Rashid, Dr Farid Uddin, Shariful Islam and others.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report