Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Dhaka City North Ameer and member of central executive council Mohammad Selim Uddin and secretary – member of central working committee Dr. Muhammad Rezaul Karim strongly condemned and protested the arrests of 17 worshipers from Gulshan Quran Learning Center.
Condemning and protesting this incident, the leaders issued a joint- statement on Wednesday.
“Gulshan thana police picked up 17 worshipers including children, women and Imam from a Quran Learning Center of Shahjadpur area of Gulshan around 8: pm on Monday night. The worshipers were praying Taraweeh Salat (prayer) while they were being picked up. The relatives of the arrestees went to thana to give the arrestees necessary materials then, 8 of the relatives were detained. This violated the rules of law and the rights of citizens of the state,” the two leaders added.
Gulshan thana police filed a case against the arrestees under Special Powers and Explosive Act 31 (3) 23. This is the brutal example of oppression and persecution of history. Police statement is comic here. They said arrestees were gathered here for sabotage.
Police demanded they had found cocktails with the books of Jamaat-e-Islami Syllabus but their statement is totally false. The nation does not believe their statement. Many mass media have already published news in this matter. Rasel Mizi, number 1 witness of this case, said to a national daily, “Police called him to thana around 11: pm on Monday and made him witness. He saw gathering but know nothing. He heard from police that they were the activists of Jamaat. But he did not see any cocktail here.” This incident proves the case is concoct and pre-planned.
“According to police, they are the activists of Jamaat-Shibir but the question is, will the activists of Jamaat-Shibir perform the prayer of Taraweeh? If they violate rules of law, they should be arrested. They support Jamaat. Is it a crime? Is it not an extravagance?” The leaders exclaimed with sorrow.
“If any incident happens in any part of the country, the activists of Jamaat-Shibir including innocent people are arrested. They are imprisoned for several months. They are the victims of oppression. Their families have to face intolerable sufferings and mental trauma,” Jamaat leaders further added.
They urged the administration to remain from these bad activities.
Among the arrestees, there are 6 worshipers who will perform Umrah Hazz. Jamaat leaders called forth the authorities to release them immediately to perform Umrah Hazz.
The city leaders demanded the immediate release of all alem-ulemas.