Mufti Rezaul Karim, the Ameer of Islami Andolan Bangladesh, has criticized political forces that rely on foreign powers, stating that while some parties carry the United States on one scale and India on the other, his party stands firmly for “Islamic justice.”
Addressing an election rally in the Patuakhali-2 constituency on Saturday afternoon, Rezaul Karim described those currently invoking foreign influence as a “vested interest group.” The rally was organized in support of the party’s candidate, Abdul Malek Anowari.
“We do not want to see the justice of America, nor do we want to see the justice of India,” the Chormonai Pir told the crowd. “We want to see the justice of Islam.”
Critique of BNP and Jamaat
In a direct critique of other major political players, Rezaul Karim noted that neither the BNP nor Jamaat-e-Islami has explicitly committed to governing the state based on Islamic principles. He claimed they intend to continue the “conventional system” of governance.
“If Islami Andolan is victorious, it will run the state based on Islam,” he declared, promising a departure from the policies of the past.
Corruption and Foreign ‘Prescriptions’
The IAB chief attributed Bangladesh’s history of corruption to existing conventional laws, which he claimed allowed the country to become a “world champion in corruption” five times. He argued that these laws facilitated money laundering and the creation of “Begum Para” abroad.
“The state has been governed according to the prescriptions of other countries while sitting in this land,” he remarked.
A Promise of Safety
Contrasting his party’s vision with the historical rivalry between the Awami League and BNP, Rezaul Karim said that power shifts in Bangladesh usually result in one party fleeing the country to avoid persecution.
“We cannot show you a fountain of false development,” he said. “But if Islami Andolan comes to power, no innocent person will have to flee the country.”
The Ameer concluded by urging people from all walks of life to vote for the ‘Hand Fan’ (Hatpakha) symbol. He emphasized that every vote for the symbol strengthens the forces of Islam in the country.
