‘Will not accept anyone as big brother’

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman yesterday said Bangladesh is an independent and sovereign country, and it will not run on anyone’s directives.

“We’ll not accept anyone as a big brother — we will stand on our own feet and move forward with our heads held high and with self-respect,” he said at a gathering organised by Shafiqur’s supporters at Jhilpar in Mirpur’s Pirerbagh under the Dhaka-15 constituency.

Shafiqur is contesting in the upcoming polls from this constituency.

The Jamaat chief said the party’s foreign policy motto will be based on friendship and equality with all and no antagonism towards anyone.

He added that the party will not compromise on establishing a society based on justice and fairness and in freeing the country from corruption and misrule.

“We want to build a confident young generation who will be self-reliant and voluntarily assist the government.”

He urged the people to ensure the victory of Jamaat candidates across the country in the upcoming election to establish a peaceful, dynamic and developed society.

Shafiqur said Jamaat does not believe in the politics of mere promises; rather, it is committed to ensuring consistency between words and actions.

“Prior to the elections, some people or parties talked about the dreams of turning Bangladesh into America or Canada. But after the elections, they fail to keep those promises. In the past 54 years, the people of this country have been deceived many times. This time, say no to these deceivers.”

The Jamaat leaders said voters must not be misled by flowery rhetoric but should instead realise the reality before them.

“For too long, we have been quarrelling over the past. As a result, we have lagged behind in global competition. While other nations have moved forward, we remain backward. But now it is time for a change. To transform the fate of the nation, we must move forward with positive plans and ensure their implementation.”

Shafiqur called upon the youth of the country to remain uncompromising in the field to ensure the victory of the scale symbol in the upcoming election to build an ideal and value-based society founded on justice and fairness.