He made these remarks at a press conference at the central office of the Islamic Movement in Purana Paltan in the capital on Friday (January 16) afternoon.
Gazi Ataur Rahman said, "We cannot deceive the emotions of the Islamist people of this country. We have been working here for a long time to establish Islam, to establish the great ideals of Islam, to establish a welfare state in the light of Islam. We cannot deviate from this. That is why you have noticed that yesterday, a press conference was held under the banner of the 11-party alliance where we were also present. Seats were distributed there. Our long journey there, the efforts we made to unite the Islamist forces throughout the country after August 5. We saw that at the last stage, there was a possibility that the goal we had was not achieved. There was a fear that the goal would not be achieved. From this fear, we thought that we would have to safeguard a box of our Islamic side."
He further said, "We know that our path ahead may not be smooth. Because we do not do power politics that way. Our main goal is Islam. We put Islam first. We do politics of principles and ideals. There we see that we have been subjected to hostility on the issue of principles and ideals, on the issue of politics, on the issue of justice. That is why we are forced to announce before you today that the Islamic Movement Bangladesh has submitted nomination papers for 270 seats in the upcoming 13th National Parliament election. Out of these, two have been rejected on appeal. The remaining 268 parliamentarian candidates are still working in the field. We have instructed them that they will contest the election. Not a single one of them will withdraw their nomination papers."
The spokesperson of the Islamic Movement said, "Jamaat-e-Islami was a big force here. There is no room for denial. Their power and capability are much greater. But we are not weaker than anyone ideologically or morally."
Gazi Ataur Rahman said, Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, he clearly said that if they come to power, they will run the state according to the existing law. He spoke to the representatives of the Christian community, a respected woman from that Christian community, he clearly said that we are assured that the Jamaat Ameer will not establish Sharia, establish Sharia law. He made this promise. That is why we are assured. When we came to know about this, it became clear to us that the goal we are pursuing will not be achieved. Because, today when an environment has been created for the state to come to power, if the main forces now go in a different direction from the ideals of Islam, if they do not have faith in Islamic law… then we, the workers and supporters, are working for Islam all over the country. This dream will remain a dream.
