Seven Qawmi-Based Islamic Parties to Unite Under Common Banner, Excluding Jamaat

Seven like-minded Islamic political parties from the Qawmi tradition have agreed in principle to work together under the banner of ‘Like-Minded Islamic Parties’ without forming a new political party, excluding Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami.

The leaders also agreed that parties currently allied with the BNP or Jamaat-e-Islami would join the unity process and work together.

The decisions were announced at a press briefing after a meeting of the seven parties’ liaison committee at Makhzanul Ulum Madrasa in Khilgaon, Dhaka, on Thursday (October 22).

The meeting discussed the unity process, joint activities under a common banner and future plans. The parties agreed to work together based on mutual understanding while retaining their separate identities.

They also discussed holding the next meeting on December 5. Parties currently allied with the BNP or Jamaat-e-Islami would also be included in the unity process. Further steps will be taken through discussions and mutual understanding with the parties concerned.

Among those present were Hefazat-e-Islam Secretary General Maulana Sajidur Rahman; Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh Naib-e-Ameer Maulana Abdul Awal; Joint Secretary General Maulana Junayed Al Habib; Islami Andolan Bangladesh Secretary General Maulana Gazi Ataur Rahman; Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Bangladesh Secretary General Maulana Manjurul Islam Afendi and Senior Joint Secretary General Maulana Bahauddin Zakaria; Khelafat Majlis Naib-e-Ameer Maulana Sakhawat Hossain and Maulana Ahmad Ali Qasemi; Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis Joint Secretary General Maulana Ataullah Amin; Bangladesh Nezam-e-Islam Party Secretary General Maulana Musa bin Izhar; Bangladesh Khelafat Andolan Senior Naib-e-Ameer Maulana Mujibur Rahman Hamidi and Organising Secretary Mufti Sultan Mohiuddin; and Islami Oikya Jot’s Chairman Maulana Abdul Qadir and Secretary General Mufti Shakhawat Hossain Razi, along with other leaders.