In Bangladesh, Brotherhood acts as it has always been: catalyst for unrest

Aya Ezz

The Muslim Brotherhood continually and intentionally stirs up unrest in Bangladesh.

This was evinced by demands by the so-called General Conference of the emirs of Jamaat-i-Islami in this Asian country’s provinces, which was held last March, for the government, which it called ‘fascist’, to stop what it described as ‘torture’ and the ‘systematic repression’ of political activists.

The conference claimed that what is called the Popular Movement for the Restoration of Democracy and People’s Rights is gradually gaining power.

It also claimed that all segments of society have joined the movement spontaneously.

As a result, it said, the security services carried out systematic torture and repression against those joining in the movement.

Arousing sedition

Jamaat-i-Islami has not been content with this much, accusing the police of firing live ammunition at protesters, which caused hundreds of injuries, as well as the arrest of thousands of activists.

Despite these accusations, the group did not provide any evidence or documents confirming its allegations.

It could not either prove its claims about the number of people injured or those arrested.

Nevertheless, it kept churning out lies. It accused the government of filing lawsuits against hundreds of activists of Jamaat-i-Islami and the Islamic Students’ Union.

It also accused the government of disbelief in democracy.

“The government does not want to hold either free or fair elections,” the group said.

Political interests

The assistant secretary general of Jamaat-i-Islami said the constitution of Bangladesh had been distorted more than once by the Awami League Party government to serve its political interests.

He added that Bangladesh had become isolated from the outside world, due to looting, money laundering crimes, the corruption of rulers and the abuse of power.

The government, the man said, is sponsored by secular forces, which is why it is opposed to everything that is Islamic.

He noted that the government tries to impose Hindu culture in Bangladesh, calling on the Bengali people to rise up to support Islam, and overthrow the government.

War crimes

Political analyst, Abdel Salam Mansour, said Jamaat-i-Islami has committed heinous war crimes against the Bengali people in recent years.

“The group has caused sectarian strife and discrimination among the people, leading to hundreds of injuries and deaths,” he told The Reference.

He also accused the Brotherhood in Bangladesh of trying to turn this country into a Holocaust site and make it a copy of Afghanistan.

Illegal funds

Sumaya Haleem, a researcher at the Institute of Asian Studies, said the branch of the Brotherhood in Bangladesh uses money in its activities, raising suspicions about these activities.

She referred to a series of concerts held by the Brotherhood in the past period under the guise of helping the poor and victims of sectarian incidents.

“Eventually, these concerts turned out to be occasions for the obtainment and distribution of illegal funds,” she told The Reference.