‘Committed to ensuring rights of people’

Ameer of Islami Andolan Bangladesh (IAB) Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim, popularly known as Charmonai Pir, has launched an 18-day election tour following his party’s withdrawal from Jamaat-e-Islami’s alliance ahead of the polls.

The tour began yesterday after Juma prayers from Narayanganj-4 (Fatullah). On the same day, he also joined election rallies of party candidates in Narayanganj-3 (Sonargaon–Siddhirganj) and Dhaka-5 (Demra–Jatrabari).

According to the party’s central publicity wing, Rezaul will visit key districts across all divisions during the 18-day programme, continuing until the election. The tour will include direct exchanges of views with people from different walks of life, including prominent ulema, academics and social workers.

Yesterday afternoon, Rezaul addressed a public rally in Jatrabari as the chief guest in support of Islami Andolan’s Dhaka-5 candidate Md Ibrahim.

“We are committed to ensuring the fundamental rights of the people and building a humane and just society. A just society cannot be established without Islamic principles,” he said.

Calling on voters to support the hand fan symbol, he said casting ballots in its favour would help “fulfil people’s expectations” and “establish peace”.

In an apparent reference to Jamaat, he said, “Driven by colourful dreams of power, a party has drawn up a blueprint to deceive the people. Those who can betray their own allies cannot be trusted with Islam or the country.”

He also said Islami Andolan had refused to take an easy path to power by compromising with injustice.

Earlier, addressing another rally in the Hariharpara area of Panchabati under Narayanganj-4 constituency, Rezaul said, “Keeping the country, Islam and Shariah in mind, we have placed one box -- the hand fan. There is no other box in favour of Islam.”