DHAKA — The amir of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, paid tribute to the party’s former amir, ex-minister and former lawmaker Motiur Rahman Nizami, marking the anniversary of his execution and urging citizens to join the movement to establish Bangladesh as an Islamic welfare state.
Rahman, who serves as opposition leader in Parliament, made the appeal in a statement to the media on Saturday on the anniversary of Nizami’s execution.
“Martyr Maulana Nizami is a familiar and revered name to the people of Bangladesh,” Rahman said in the statement. “He was a wise Islamic scholar, a far-sighted thinker and a principled politician. His honesty, wisdom, humility, generosity and leadership placed him at a unique height.”
Rahman said that from childhood, Nizami left his mark of leadership at every level. From his student days he devoted himself to the propagation, dissemination and establishment of Islamic ideals, the statement said. As a responsible political figure, he struggled throughout his life for public welfare, justice and a society founded on fairness, and played an important role in efforts to transform Bangladesh into an Islamic welfare state through democratic and constitutional processes, according to Rahman.
The opposition leader said Nizami was elected to Parliament from his constituency in 1991 and 2001 by large margins. His constructive and visionary speeches in Parliament are still remembered, and his contribution to spreading Islamic education, particularly in securing government recognition of Qawmi madrasa education, will remain historic, Rahman said.
The Jamaat chief said Nizami served as minister of agriculture and industries with integrity, competence and dedication. His foresight, hard work and devotion brought new momentum to the country’s industrial sector and turned it into a profitable area, Rahman said.
Rahman said Nizami also had broad international acceptance. In a 2006 global survey, his name was included on the list of the world’s 500 most influential personalities. He was later named one of the 50 most influential Muslims worldwide in a 2009 global survey.
Nizami authored numerous valuable books that will serve as a guide for individuals, families and society, Rahman said. His addresses at seminars, meetings and gatherings at home and abroad had a deep impact on people’s thinking, he added.
Rahman said Nizami was sentenced to death in politically motivated cases, and the sentence was carried out at 12:10 a.m. on May 10, 2016.
Rahman remembered Nizami’s contributions with deep respect and prayed for his acceptance as a martyr and a place in the highest paradise.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report