Seven like-minded Islamist political parties from the Qawmi madrasa tradition have decided in principle to work together under a common banner called ‘Like-minded Islamic Parties’ (Samamana Islami Dal), without forming a new political party. They also agreed that parties now in alliances with political parties such as the BNP or Jamaat-e-Islami would join this unity process and work alongside them.
The decisions were announced at a press briefing after a meeting of the seven parties’ liaison committee at Makhzanul Uloom Madrasa in Khilgaon, Dhaka, on Thursday.
The meeting began at 10am and ran until 1:30pm. It discussed the seven parties’ unity process, working under a common banner and their next course of action, among other issues.
At the meeting the seven parties took a decision in principle to work together on the basis of mutual understanding. Instead of forming a new political party, they will use the name ‘Like-minded Islamic Parties’ as a common banner. Each party will keep its own separate identity.
Holding the next meeting on 5 December was also discussed. The leaders agreed that parties now in alliances with political parties such as the BNP or Jamaat-e-Islami would also join the unity process and work together. Further steps will be taken on the basis of discussion and understanding with the parties concerned.
Present at the meeting were Hefazat-e-Islam Secretary General Maulana Sajidur Rahman and Joint Secretary General Maulana Junaid Al Habib, Islami Andolan Bangladesh Secretary General Maulana Gazi Ataur Rahman, and Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam Bangladesh Secretary General Maulana Manjurul Islam Afendi and Senior Joint Secretary General Maulana Bahauddin Zakaria.
Other leaders of the parties concerned also attended, including Khelafat Majlis Naib-e-Amirs Maulana Sakhawat Hossain and Maulana Ahmad Ali Qasemi, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis Joint Secretary General Maulana Ataullah Amin, Nezam-e-Islam Party Secretary General Mufti Musa bin Izhar, Bangladesh Khelafat Andolan Senior Naib-e-Amir Maulana Mujibur Rahman Hamidi, and Islami Oikya Jote Chairman Maulana Abdul Kadir and Secretary General Mufti Shakhawat Hossain Razi.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report