Bangladesh Will Not Allow the Return of Fascism: Jamaat Leader Zubair in New York

Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair, Assistant Secretary-General of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and head of its Central Publicity and Media Department, has said Bangladesh will not allow fascism to return and will not allow anyone to become a fascist again.

“Jamaat-e-Islami will play a role both on the streets and in parliament in securing the rights of the people of Bangladesh,” he said.

Zubair made the remarks at an exchange meeting held Wednesday evening, August 20, at Nabanna Restaurant and Party Hall in Jackson Heights, New York. The event was organized by the Coalition of Bangladeshi American Associations (COBA).

The meeting was chaired by COBA General Secretary Mahbubur Rahman and moderated by Rashid Ahmed, editor of York Bangla. The program began with a recitation from the Holy Quran and a musical performance by artist Salah Uddin Russell. Bangladeshi journalists working in New York and editors of various media outlets attended the event.

During the discussion, Zubair spoke about Bangladesh’s current political situation, the background of the July movement and various aspects of political repression in the past. He called on people to work together for the development of the country, rising above political parties, differences and ideological divisions.

He also praised the contributions of Bangladeshi expatriates to the country’s development and progress.

Responding to questions from journalists, Zubair criticized various actions taken by the current government. He said that although Bangladesh had been freed from fascism through a prolonged movement, the government had yet to take effective steps to meet the expectations of the people.

He called for urgent measures to address rising prices of essential commodities as well as shortages of electricity and gas.

Speaking about the prime minister’s visit to India and other contemporary issues, Zubair said discussions with neighboring countries should be conducted on the basis of equality. He also emphasized the need to bring back people accused of crimes and ensure that they face trial.

Regarding the issue of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s trial, Zubair said there was broad agreement among political parties in Bangladesh on the matter. He said Jamaat-e-Islami would play a responsible role in securing the rights of the people.

He also spoke about the party’s upcoming programs, including planned long marches in Dhaka-Chattogram, Rajshahi and Sylhet, as well as a mass rally in Dhaka in October.

Among the senior and local media professionals attending the meeting were Dr. Wazed A. Khan, editor of Weekly Bangladesh; senior journalist Anwar Hossain Manju; Abu Taher, CEO of Time TV and editor of Weekly Bangla; Nazmul Ahsan of Weekly Porichoy; Ratan Talukder, editor of Weekly Janmabhumi; Mohammad Saeed, editor of Weekly Probash; Monowarul Islam, president of the New York Bangladesh Press Club; senior journalist Saleh Uddin; journalist Elias Hossain; ABM Salah Uddin Ahmed of Weekly ABM; Emdad Chowdhury Dipu, editor of Amar Sylhet; and H.M. Akhtar Hossain, correspondent of Daily Sangram, among others.