Jamaat vows full support for 'realistic reforms'

Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher, deputy leader of Jamaat-e-Islami, has called for building a democracy in Bangladesh modelled on his party’s internal democratic practices.

He made the remarks on Saturday at the start of a dialogue with the National Consensus Commission at the LD Hall of the National Parliament.

Taher also said Jamaat would fully support constructive, positive, and realistic reforms.

"We do not want to prioritise party or personal interests over the welfare of the country and the nation. Jamaat fully agrees with any initiative, change, or reform that benefits the nation. If further steps are necessary based on discussions, we are ready to take them," he said.

The 10-strong Jamaat delegation at Saturday’s dialogue, led by Taher, included Secretary General Mia Golar Parwar, Executive Committee member Saiful Alam Khan Milon, Assistant Secretaries General Rafiqul Islam Khan and Hamidur Rahman Azad, Publicity and Media Secretary Matiur Rahman Akanda, Assistant Secretary General Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair, and Dhaka South City Ameer Nurul Islam Bulbul, and leaders Shishir Manir and Mohiuddin Sarkar.

Outlining his party’s vision, Taher said: "Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami is firm and committed on several fundamental issues. Firstly, we fear no external force when it comes to the independence and sovereignty of Bangladesh, and we will not accept any interference.

"Secondly, we are committed to establishing a credible and sustainable democracy. Inside our party, we practice democracy through scheduled elections, without named candidates or panels, and by secret ballot -- a system we call ‘No Campaign, No Candidate, No Panel’. If we could revive such practices nationwide, we would have elections that the people of Bangladesh and the whole world would truly recognise as legitimate."

The National Consensus Commission is working to consolidate the recommendations of various reform commissions established for state reform and to build political consensus around them.

The commission had sought opinions from 39 political parties on the key recommendations made by five reform commissions. Based on the feedback, it is now holding dialogues with the respective parties.