‘No one can declare a Muslim infidel’

Comparing Jamaat-e-Islami’s ideals and activities with “kufr” and “shirk” is “irresponsible, ignorant, and a violation of Islamic principles”, the party’s Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar said yesterday.

Porwar, a candidate for Khulna-5, made the remarks at a street rally in Dumuria upazila. He also attended street rallies in Phultala upazila. 

Porwar said such comments insult the fundamental teachings of Islam.

“No one has the authority to declare a Muslim -- who believes in Allah, the Prophet (PBUH), angels, afterlife and destiny -- as an infidel,” he said.

Addressing BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman, Porwar said Tarique could have asked his late mother why she had allied with Jamaat if he truly believes the party to be guilty of opposing Bangladesh’s independence during the 1971 Liberation War.

“If you [Tarique] point fingers at fascists, and then go on to repeatedly use 1971 with malicious intentions, then those same negative tendencies are visible within you,” he said.

The Jamaat leader said his party is treated as an ally when politically convenient and branded extremist when it is not. 

He said that during Ziaur Rahman’s government, several individuals who had supported a united Pakistan were appointed to high offices, citing Shah Azizur Rahman and Abdur Rahman Biswas.

Porwar alleged political successors of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Ziaur Rahman created false narratives for partisan interests.

While historical debates are possible, he said, using false and baseless criminal allegations against Jamaat to satisfy political vendettas is unjust.

Porwar further said that Sheikh Mujib had resolved the 1971 issue during his lifetime. “He wanted to overcome divisions and ensure national unity,” he said.

Mujib later repealed the Collaborators Act and sought to move forward inclusively, he said, adding that both Mujib and Ziaur Rahman shared this vision.

Calling on voters to support the Daripalla symbol, Porwar said there is no alternative to ending an era of misrule, corruption, and political repression.