Seven Islamic parties unite without Jamaat, to work together on ' like-minded Islamic parties' platform

Seven Qawmi-oriented Islamic political parties have decided to work together on a common political platform, leaving Jamaat-e-Islami outside it. Through the platform, named 'Samamana Islami Dal' (Like-minded Islamic Parties), the parties will run joint programmes based on mutual understanding. No new political party will be formed, however — each party will keep its own separate identity.

The decisions were announced after a meeting of representatives of the seven parties on Thursday morning (22 October) at Makhzanul Ulum Madrasa in Khilgaon, in the capital. The meeting discussed the unity process, working under a common banner and the future course of action.

The new platform comprises Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Bangladesh, Khilafat Majlis, Bangladesh Khilafat Majlis, Bangladesh Khilafat Andolan, Islami Oikya Jote and Bangladesh Nezam-e-Islam Party. All seven parties are associated with the Qawmi stream of politics.

At the meeting, the leaders took an in-principle decision to conduct political activities in unity, based on mutual understanding. The name 'Samamana Islami Dal' will be used as a common banner while the parties retain their distinct organisational identities — in other words, this is a framework for cooperation, not an organisation formed by dissolving the parties.

There was also agreement on widening the unity process. Parties currently allied with forces such as the BNP or Jamaat-e-Islami will also join this unity process and work together, the leaders agreed. The next steps in that regard will be taken through discussion and understanding with the parties concerned.

Hefazat-e-Islam secretary general Maulana Sajidur Rahman said the seven parties had agreed to work together on the 'Samamana Islami Dal' platform. Bringing in parties that sit in other alliances was also discussed, he said.

He said Hefazat-e-Islam is playing a role in uniting like-minded Islamic parties in the interests of the country, the nation and Islam. The organisation's non-partisan position will continue, however — meaning Hefazat will act as a facilitator without itself turning into a political party.

As a next step, the meeting discussed holding another session on 5 December. That meeting may adopt the platform's policy framework and take further decisions on future activities, those involved said.

A note of caution also came from the meeting on how unity should proceed. Top leaders of several parties said any attempt to impose conditions on a party within the unity process would not be accepted. In their view, the initiative must move forward on mutual understanding and respect for each party's independent position.

The meeting was attended by Hefazat-e-Islam secretary general Maulana Sajidur Rahman, naib-e-amir Maulana Abdul Awal and joint secretary general Maulana Junaid Al Habib. Also taking part were Islami Andolan Bangladesh secretary general Maulana Gazi Ataur Rahman, and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Bangladesh secretary general Maulana Manjurul Islam Afendi and senior joint secretary general Maulana Bahauddin Zakaria.

Khilafat Majlis naib-e-amirs Maulana Sakhawat Hossain and Maulana Ahmad Ali Kasemi and Bangladesh Khilafat Majlis joint secretary general Maulana Ataullah Amin were also present. Bangladesh Nezam-e-Islam Party secretary general Maulana Musa bin Izhar, Bangladesh Khilafat Andolan senior naib-e-amir Maulana Mujibur Rahman Hamidi and organising secretary Mufti Sultan Mohiuddin, and Islami Oikya Jote chairman Maulana Abdul Kadir and secretary general Mufti Sakhawat Hossain Razi, along with other leaders of the parties concerned, attended as well.

Taken together, the unity of the seven parties adds a new dimension to the equations of Islamic politics. Building a separate platform of Qawmi-oriented parties while keeping Jamaat-e-Islami outside it, and reaching out to parties in other alliances, could influence alliance politics in the days ahead.

The platform's activities, the shape of its joint programmes and the participation of parties from other political alliances will become clearer at the next meeting, the leaders said. Attention will therefore be on the 5 December session — its policy framework and decisions will show how far this unity goes.