The Crime Desk: A local Awami League leader was seen sitting in the front row at the Jamaat-e-Islami conference in Comilla. This scene was seen at the conference in Saidpur, Bagmara North Union, Lalmai Upazila of the district. A picture of the conference held on Friday afternoon (April 18) has been circulating on social media since the afternoon, which has started intense discussion and criticism.
The leader sitting in the front row with Jamaat leaders and activists at the conference is named Rafiqul Islam. He is the joint general secretary of Bagmara North Union Awami League. After the incident became known, anger has also arisen among Jamaat leaders and activists.
According to party sources, the Jamaat conference was presided over by Bagmara North Union Jamaat Ameer Maulana Abdul Mannan and conducted by Union Secretary Nazmul Hasan. The party’s central secretary general, Professor Mia Golam Parwar, spoke as the chief guest. Jamaat’s Central Assistant Secretary General Maulana ATM Masum, Comilla South District Jamaat Ameer Advocate Mohammad Shahjahan, the party’s MP candidate for the Comilla-10 constituency Maulana Yasin Arafat, District Office Secretary Golam Sarwar Majumder Kamal, Lalmai Upazila Jamaat Ameer Maulana Abdur Noor, and Secretary Maulana Imam Hossain spoke as special guests.
Several Jamaat workers present at the conference said that Rafiqul Islam is an active Awami League leader in the union of former Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal. After August 5 last year, he went into hiding for some time. Later, he returned to the area and started participating in various programs under the Jamaat banner.
A local Jamaat leader expressed his anger and said that the leaders who filed cases against Jamaat leaders and activists during the Awami League government are now trying to change parties and join Jamaat—this is very sad.
Awami League leader Rafiqul Islam, admitting his presence at the Jamaat conference, said, “I am still in the Awami League position; I have not resigned—that is correct. However, as a Muslim, I can participate in Islamic programs. I do not see anything wrong with it.”
In this regard, Lalmai Upazila Jamaat Secretary Maulana Imam Hossain said, “There is no rule for leaders or workers of other parties to be present at our party conference. The matter was not noticed. We will find out about it and discuss it as a party.”
