Seven qawmi-based parties: Jamaat suspects govt hand in Hefazat’s unity bid

The initiative to unite seven Islamist political parties under the guidance of Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh, a Qawmi madrasa-based organisation, could be a ploy to weaken political rivals, Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair has alleged.

Referring to recent meetings between Hefazat leaders and the government, Zubair said the possibility of political manoeuvring by the government could not be ruled out.

“Hefazat leaders held discussions with the government. They are not publicly acknowledging it. When the time comes, we will understand what is actually happening,” he told The Daily Star yesterday.

Hefazat, however, says the initiative aims to end divisions among Islamist parties and bring them together, rejecting allegations of government involvement.

Hefazat leaders held discussions with the government. They are not publicly acknowledging it. When the time comes, we will understand what is actually happening

Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General

At a meeting of the seven parties’ liaison committee at Al-Jamiatul Islamia Makhzanul Ulum madrasa in the capital’s Khilgaon on Thursday, they agreed in principle to work together under the banner of “Like-minded Islamist Parties”.

The parties are Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Bangladesh, Khelafat Majlish, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, Bangladesh Khelafat Andolan, Islami Oikya Jote and Bangladesh Nezam-e-Islam Party. 

At least three of them are partners in the Jamaat-led 11-party alliance.

The meeting discussed the possibility of contesting local government elections jointly, but no decision was made. The parties also failed to reach a consensus on whether members of other political alliances would be required to leave those alliances, said meeting sources.

Zubair said Hefazat could play a role in religious affairs, but if it became involved in politics, it would need to clarify its political position and programmes.

“If the Islamist parties in Bangladesh come together on a single platform, we will be very happy. We have long hoped that all Islamist parties would unite, work together and play a collective role.”

Zubair, however, said Jamaat was not concerned about the potential impact of the new initiative on its 11-party combineand was closely observing developments.

The Jamaat-led alliance was formed ahead of the 12 February national election to build a new Bangladesh through reforms, the Jamaat leader said, adding that their movement for a Bangladesh free from fascism through state and constitutional reforms continued. 

The alliance includes Islamist parties, groups involved in the 2024 mass uprising and parties that supported the Liberation War.

WHAT HEFAZAT SAYS

Azizul Haque Islamabadi, joint secretary general of Hefazat-e-Islam, said Islamist parties were split after contesting the last election under different alliances or independently. He added that bringing them together was the initiative’s main objective.

“There is pressure from the public as well as from our leaders and activists to unite the Islamist parties. However, how the parties will proceed ahead of the local government election is their own decision,” he said.

Rejecting the allegations of government involvement, he described them as “unrealistic and baseless”. 

Maulana Jalaluddin Ahmad, secretary general of Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, said the seven parties had decided to coordinate their programmes, statements, and positions on various issues for the welfare of the country, its people, and Islam.

“The decision by these seven parties to work together does not mean that parties belonging to other political alliances will have to leave those alliances. No such decision was made at Thursday’s meeting,” he said.

He added that Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis would remain in the 11-party combine, while other parties could stay with their respective alliances. No party would be required to leave its alliance as a condition for participating in the initiative.

Sources at the meeting said Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis and Bangladesh Nezam-e-Islam Party had objected to imposing such conditions and believed further discussions were needed.

IDEOLOGICAL DIFFERENCE

AKM Waresul Karim, professor in the Department of Accounting and Finance and dean of the School of Business and Economics at North South University, said historical and ideological differences between Qawmi-based parties and Jamaat were part of the backdrop to the initiative.

Many Qawmi-based parties do not consider Jamaat a legitimate Islamic party, while its aqidah (creed) and religious positions have also been sources of debate among them, he said. 

Therefore, he was not surprised by the move to unite separately.

Prof Waresul said although the initiative might not have a major independent political agenda, its indirect effects could ease pressure on the government. He also did not rule out possible government patronage.

A strong alliance of Qawmi-based parties, if sustained until the local body polls, could affect the Jamaat-led alliance, he said. Jamaat, National Citizen Party, and Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis are key forces within the alliance, and the departure of any of them or their leaders could weaken it.