Islami Andolan chief says Jamaat portrayed his party as 'extremist' in US Embassy meeting
Jamaat held secret meetings with the US and India, he alleged
Islami Andolan Bangladesh Ameer Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim, popularly known as Charmonai Pir, has alleged that a Jamaat-e-Islami leader has portrayed his party as "extremist" during a meeting at the US Embassy in Dhaka.
"With deep sorrow and condemnation, we denounce this. Jamaat's Nayeb-e-Ameer Abdullah Mohammad Taher went to the US embassy and portrayed us as militants and even spoke of 'bringing us back' from militancy," he told reporters today (4 February) after unveiling his party's election manifesto ahead of the national election.
Emphasising his party's record, Rezaul said Islamic Andolan Bangladesh, founded in 1987, has never been linked to militancy and is recognised in various surveys for its zero-tolerance stance against corruption.
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He also alleged that Jamaat held secret meetings with the US and India and questioned the need for such secrecy.
Explaining the party's decision to contest the polls independently instead of forming an alliance with like-minded Islamic parties, he strongly criticised the activities of Jamaat leaders.
Rezaul said they could not remain in a coalition that did not safeguard Islam, national interests, or mutual trust.
"We cannot stay with those who present us as extremists at foreign missions," he added.
