Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, stated that people of all religions have suffered from excesses by ruling parties since the country’s independence. He made these remarks during a meeting with Hindu, Buddhist, and Christian communities in Sylhet on Saturday, December 21.

Dr. Shafiqur Rahman observed that no government has managed to halt such overreach, and people of all religions have been victims. He noted a significant decline in the population of non-Muslim communities, attributing it to two reasons: many left the country to preserve their dignity, and others fell behind in birth rates.

He also highlighted that Jamaat-e-Islami has faced severe persecution under previous governments, with offices sealed for 13 years, exclusion from the Election Commission, and eventual banning of the party. This level of pressure, he argued, has not been experienced by any other political group.

Criticizing corruption and exploitation, he stated that while the perpetrators may have changed, the issues remain. He emphasized that if given responsibility, Jamaat would act as caretakers rather than owners, ensuring their members remain focused on public welfare without personal gain.

The meeting also featured speeches from representatives of various religious organizations, including Sylhet ISKCON, Bangladesh Puja Celebration Council, and the Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Unity Council.