Jamaat calls emergency meeting after Islami Andolan press briefing

The policymaking forum of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami sat for an emergency meeting today in the wake of a recent press conference held by Islami Andolan Bangladesh. Despite the developments, Jamaat and its 10-party alliance have decided not to immediately announce a decision regarding the 47 parliamentary seats currently left vacant.

The meeting commenced at 9:00 AM on Saturday (January 17) at the party’s central office in Maghbazar, confirmed Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Jubayer, Secretary of the Central Publicity and Media Department, to The Daily Campus.

"The meeting of our policymaking forum is currently underway at the central office," Jubayer stated.

Meanwhile, sources suggest that leaders of the 10-party alliance may hold a meeting with senior leaders of Islami Andolan Bangladesh later today. Efforts to keep Islami Andolan within the 11-party alliance are expected to continue until the final date for withdrawal of nominations. Should these efforts fail, the 10-party alliance will field candidates in the 47 vacant seats based on subsequent internal consensus.

Earlier on Thursday night, the 10-party alliance—including Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizen Party (NCP)—announced a consensus on 253 seats, noting that discussions with Islami Andolan Bangladesh were ongoing.

However, on Friday (January 16), Islami Andolan Bangladesh’s Senior Joint Secretary General and spokesperson, Gazi Ataur Rahman, announced at a press conference in Purana Paltan that the party would contest in 268 seats independently. He further stated that the party would support other candidates in the remaining 32 constituencies.

During the presser, Gazi Ataur Rahman remarked, "The state has been governed by secular laws for 54 years, and these laws have failed. We have always campaigned for the establishment of Islamic law. If the major political forces continue to pursue conventional politics instead of Allah’s law, our goals will not be met." He urged other Islamic organizations in the alliance to seek clarity on Jamaat’s current policies.

In response, Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Ehsanul Mahbub Jubayer issued a statement on Friday, refuting Gazi Ataur’s claims. He clarified that the comments attributed to a leader of a Christian organization were inaccurate and had already been addressed during previous briefings.

Dismissing the allegation that Jamaat has deviated from Islamic ideals, Jubayer stated, "Gazi Ataur’s comments are incorrect and aimed at creating public confusion. Jamaat remains an Islamic organization guided by the ideals of Allah and His Messenger (PBUH)." He further urged the Islami Andolan leader to refrain from making statements that mislead the public.