Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami is preparing for a major political show of strength with a large-scale public meeting at Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital on July 19. Party insiders say extensive preparations have already been completed to ensure massive public participation in what is expected to be one of the largest gatherings by Jamaat in Dhaka since the mass uprising of August 5.
Party leaders aim to use the rally to send a "positive message" across the country, projecting Jamaat as an active political force ahead of the next national election. The campaign is being promoted under the slogan "Cholo Cholo, Dhaka Cholo" ("Let's go to Dhaka"), with all district and sub-district units of the party actively involved. The student wing of Jamaat, Islami Chhatra Shibir, is also playing a prominent role in strengthening the attendance at the public meeting.
Jamaat's planned rally follows the June 28 mass gathering by Islami Andolan Bangladesh, a group led by the Pir of Charmonai, at the same venue.
Political observers see Jamaat's upcoming rally as a significant move in the current political landscape. Notably, leaders from ten like-minded parties, including Jamaat and NCP's, attended the Islami Andolan rally. No representatives from the BNP and left wing parties were invited to the mass rally of Islami Andolan.
Sources within Jamaat suggest the July 19 rally may mark the beginning of a broader political alliance. Leaders of several political parties have reportedly been invited to the event. Jamaat hopes to signal the formation of a united electoral front through the gathering. It was not know whether leaders of BNP and left wing parties will be invited.
To ensure a large turnout, Jamaat has issued quotas for participants from district, sub-district, and police precinct levels. Nearly all members of the party's grassroots organizational units have been instructed to attend.
On Monday, senior Jamaat leaders, led by Secretary General Professor Mia Golam Parwar, visited Suhrawardy Udyan to inspect preparations of the July 19 public meeting. Among those present were Assistant Secretary Generals Maulana Abdul Halim, Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Zubayer, Advocate Moyazzem Hossain Helal, Central Executive Committee Member and Media Secretary Advocate Matiur Rahman Akand, and Dhaka South City Chief Nurul Islam Bulbul.
Speaking to the media during the visit, Prof. Parwar emphasized that the party's seven-point demand is rooted to ensure the rights of the people. He urged citizens of all backgrounds to participate in the rally and expressed hope that the government would cooperate in facilitating to hold the public meeting.
Addressing journalists, Prof. Parwar clarified that Jamaat never called for postponement or advancement of the election date since August 5. "Whenever the government announces the election, Jamaat-e-Islami is ready to participate," he said. However, he made it clear that Jamaat will not accept any "rubber-stamp election."
He criticized the current state of law and order in the country, saying it is not conducive to fair elections. He warned of potential violence, including ballot box theft and polling center takeovers by those responsible for the deteriorating situation.
Jamaat has demanded that law and order be restored and that a free, fair, and inclusive election be ensured. "Equal opportunity must be guaranteed for all candidates and political parties," Prof. Parwar asserts. "We demand a level playing field and a secure environment where every voter can safely cast their vote and return home."
