Islam to be the Future of Bangladesh, Islamists' Ballot in the Elections will be One

Islami Andolon Bangladesh (IAB) held a massive rally at Suhrawardy Uddyan on Saturday urging all Islamic parties to unite and vote in a single Ballot box to turn the Islamist forces to become the dominant political power in the country.

The rally demanded that the next national election must be held under a non -partisan caretaker government following a proportional representation system. Local government polls must be held before the national election, the rally demanded.

Presided over by Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim (Charmonai Pir), Ameer of Islami Andolon Banglades, the rally was addressed among others by Jamaat-e-Islami Nayeb-e-Ameer Professor Mujibur Rahman, Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar, Assistant Secretary Generals Maulana Rafiqul Islam Khan, NCP member secretary Akhtar Hossain, northern regional coordinator Sarjis Alam, Gano Odhikar Parishad President Nurul Haque Nur, Nezam-e Islam Party Secretary General Maulana Musa bin Izhar, Khelafat Majlish Secretary General Dr Ahmad Abdul Quader, Islami Oikya Jote Secretary General Maulana Sakhawat Hossain Raji, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish Secretary General Maulana Jalal Uddin and Khelafat Andolon Bangladesh Secretary General Maulana Yusuf Sadiq Haqqani.

From minority communities, Hindu Mahajot Secretary General Gobinda Chandra Pramanik, Bodhigyan Bhavna Kendra President Dayal Kumar Barua, and Bangladesh Christian Association President Nirmal Rosario also addressed the rally.

All the speakers were critical about BNP and warned that the people will not vote the corrupt and extortionists in the upcoming election. No leader of BNP, Jatiya Party and left parties were present at the rally.

A 16-point charter of demands was placed at the rally declaring that there will be no election in the country without the trial of the fascist of the AL regime, state reforms and restoration of Islamic values in the constitution.

Thousands of followers and activists of Islami Andolon and other Islamic parties gathered at the Suhrawardy Uddyan braving heat and rains demonstrating a massive show of unity and strength of the Islamic parties.

Addressing the rally, Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim (Charmonai Pir), Ameer of Islami Andolon Bangladesh, said the people of Bangladesh have expressed their support for the Proportional Representation (PR) system, emphasizing that there is no alternative to elections under this method.

Mufti Rezaul Karim strongly criticized the country's 1972 Constitution, saying, "It does not reflect the people's beliefs and aspirations. This constitution gave rise to autocracy. What the nation needs now is fundamental state reform and justice. The July Uprising was not merely about regime change-it was a movement to reconstruct the state."

He added, "No election can be held without first bringing to justice those directly or indirectly involved in the events of July 24. No one in the fascist clique responsible for massacres, disappearances, and lootings can be spared."

Advocating for electoral reform, he said, "Seats in parliament must reflect the percentage of votes each party receives. This is the logical demand of the people, the new generation, and people of all faiths and communities. If necessary, a national referendum should be held to decide on this."

Calling for unity among Islamic forces, the Charmonai Pir said, "We have shed blood time and again but achieved no success because we handed over the country to the wrong leaders. Now is the time for Islamic forces to unite. If we vote in a single box, Islamists will become the dominant political force in Bangladesh. The interim government is a product of the July Uprising. We support this government unconditionally, but it must stay on the path of reform and neutrality."

Addressing various sections of society, he said, "If entrusted with governance, we will ensure justice and equal rights for farmers, laborers, businessmen, expatriates, and youth. Dignity and safety for women are a core political commitment of Islami Andolon."

On Palestine, he said, "We firmly stand for the liberation of Palestine. Muslim heads of state must take effective action to free Al-Quds (Jerusalem)."

He also emphasized the role of Islamic scholars, saying, "You are the best sons of this nation, yet neglected. If we are in power, your dignity will be upheld at the state level. Now is the time to gather the harvest-go village to village, form committees, and spread the beauty of Islam. The future of Bangladesh belongs to Islam."

At the rally, Senior Nayeb-e-Ameer Mufti Syed Muhammad Faizul Karim questioned who had guaranteed BNP a return to power. "The people of Bangladesh will not allow any corrupt or extortionist party to regain power," he said. "A proportional representation system is the best way to form an all-party parliament, and BNP should accept it."

He added, "If today's attendees from various parties are sincere, Islamic forces will take power in the future. We don't want power for ourselves; we want to bring the Qur'an and Sunnah into power."

NCP leader Sarjis Alam said, "In this post-24th Bangladesh, if we-the comrades of the uprising-remain united, no fascist, no individual under any banner or party will ever be able to rise again in this country."

He emphasized that reform and justice are the core pillars of their struggle. Highlighting the importance of the Proportional Representation (PR) system to ensure true representation of the people, he said, "This PR system-if we truly want people's representation in the future parliament of Bangladesh-then we must work even more vigorously for it in the coming days." At that time, the NCP leader also demanded that local elections be held before the national election.

At the same time, Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar said, "The people of Bangladesh will not accept any election without the PR system. Moreover, some roles played by the Chief Adviser have raised questions among the public regarding the government's neutrality. Those responsible for genocide must be brought to justice before the election."

He said, "The local government elections must be held first. The July Charter and the July Declaration must be implemented between August 1 and 8."

He also remarked that Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim, Ameer of Islami Andolon Bangladesh, will be remembered in golden letters for his contributions to the unity efforts among Islamic parties.

The grand rally demanded reforms in the electoral system, justice, proportional representation, and a level playing field. Leaders from several parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami, National Citizen Party (NCP), Gano Odhikar Parishad, and AB Party, joined the event. Religious minority leaders from Hindu, Buddhist, and Christian communities were also present.

A five-member delegation from Jamaat-e-Islami, including Nayeb-e-Ameer Professor Mujibur Rahman, Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar, and Assistant Secretary Generals Maulana Rafiqul Islam Khan and Maulana Abdul Halim, attended the rally. The NCP sent a three-member delegation led by its member secretary Akhtar Hossain and northern regional coordinator Sarjis Alam.

Other notable attendees included Gano Odhikar Parishad President Nurul Haque Nur, Nizame Islam Party Secretary General Maulana Musa bin Izhar, Khelafat Majlish Secretary General Dr Ahmad Abdul Quader, Islami Oikya Jote Secretary General Maulana Sakhawat Hossain Raji, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish Secretary General Maulana Jalal Uddin, and Khelafat Andolon Bangladesh Secretary General Maulana Yusuf Sadiq Haqqani.

From minority communities, Hindu Mahajot Secretary General Gobinda Chandra Pramanik, Bodhigyan Bhavna Kendra President Dayal Kumar Barua, and Bangladesh Christian Association President Nirmal Rosario attended the rally.

The massive gathering, attended by hundreds of thousands, began with Qur'an recitation at 10:00am. The main session started at 2:00pm, with slogans of "Naraye Takbeer, Allahu Akbar" echoing across Suhrawardy Udyan.

Due to the sheer size of the rally, major traffic congestion occurred in the surrounding areas. Key points in Dhaka-including Gulistan, Jatrabari, Sayedabad, and Kakrail-saw significant gridlock, as hundreds of vehicles from across the country were parked on major roads. Alternative routes had to be used, and even rickshaw movement became difficult.

Despite public inconvenience, Islami Andolon activists viewed the overwhelming turnout as a sign of the public's desire for change. They expressed hope that city residents would support the call for transformation.

The rally focused on unity across religious and ideological lines and called for a stronger, more inclusive democratic process in Bangladesh, while the leaders urged peaceful dialogue, religious tolerance, and political reform amid the nation's evolving political landscape.