Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami wants to maintain good relations with all neighboring countries, including India, following the principle of friendship with all, not enmity with anyone, said the Amir of the party. Shafiqur Rahman. He said this in an interview given to India's Anandabazar newspaper on Friday (November 22).
Jamaat-e-Islami's anti-India attitude is well known, what do you say? Dr. Anandbazar in response to such questions. Shafiqur Rahman said, 'Completely denying. This idea is baseless. This doctrine has been deliberately spread targeting us to create false interpretation and confusion about Jamaat's politics. We want to maintain good relations with all neighboring countries including India on the basis of equal status and respect. Our international policy is friendship with all, enmity with none. I want India to respond in kind, on the basis of mutual trust and coexistence.'
Jamaat-e-Islami is seen as a radical Islamic organization, but how do you see your own organization? In response to such question, Amir of Jamaat said, 'Again you are assuming that Jamaat-e-Islami is a radical Muslim organization, it is absolutely untrue. Jamaat is a modern, liberal and democratic party, based on Islamic ideals. Let me remind you one more thing, we are an independent political party. We are not represented in any other political body in the world.'
Regarding the rights of Hindus, the Amir of Jamaat said, 'Jamaat-e-Islami has an outstanding relationship and understanding with the Hindu community of Bangladesh. Every citizen is treated equally and all citizens of the state are respected on the basis of equal rights and dignity. Jamaat does not believe in minority or majority theory. We think that division of countrymen on the basis of religion is a crime. Jamaat has no history of violence against Hindus or any other community. Rather, Jamaat-e-Islami has discussed various issues with Hindu leaders at various times.
In response to the question whether the Jamaat government will actually affect India-Bangladesh relations or not, he said, 'I don't think India had a close bilateral relationship with the old Awami League. We all know who was interested in that. But speaking for ourselves, we want to build close relations with India, but it must be through mutual respect and equality. Effective and realistic relations with neighbors are advantageous for both states. I will want to do that when I come to the government.'
Interim government and Jamaat jointly want to remove BNP after Awami League – in response to the question. Shafiqur Rahman said, 'I want to say frankly, this theory has no basis. The public's collective hatred of the Awami League was fueled by corruption and fascist policies. They brought about their own downfall. We do not need to play any role in moving an organization or group. People know everything. I can say this, we have no intention to dismiss or remove any political party.
