We left alliance as caravan left Medina for America: Mufti Faizul Karim

Referring to the decision to leave the alliance formed before the elections, Islamic Movement Bangladesh Senior Naib-e-Amir Mufti Syed Muhammad Faizul Karim has said they left the alliance because they realised the caravan had left the path of Medina and was heading towards America.

He made the remarks as the chief guest at a workers' conference organised by the metropolitan Islamic Movement at Rangpur Town Hall on Monday evening. In his speech, Faizul Karim recalled that before the elections, a voting box was formed in favour of the Quran, led by Pir Saheb Charmonai. He said expectations had been created across the country for the establishment of Islamic rule around that caravan. However, he noted that when he suddenly saw Pir Saheb Charmonai no longer in the leadership seat and the direction of the caravan changing, he decided to step away from the alliance.

He further said that they can give up power for the sake of Islam, but they cannot abandon Islam for the lure of power.

Referring to a statement by BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Faizul Karim said Fakhrul himself admitted that corruption and bribery could not be stopped. In this context, he claimed that without the establishment of an Islamic system, corruption and bribery in Bangladesh can never be eliminated.

The Islamic Movement leader also painted a picture of what changes could come if Islamic rule is established. According to him, under such a system, people's legitimate rights would be ensured and within the next decade, all people living below the poverty line could rise above it. Regarding women, he said their fair rights and dignity would be protected, rather than equal rights.

At the end of his speech, Faizul Karim called on leaders and activists to strengthen their outreach activities to further strengthen the organisation.

The workers' conference, chaired by Islamic Movement Rangpur Metropolitan President Hafez Mawlana Abdur Rahman Kasemi, was also addressed by special guest Central Adviser Professor Dr Akkas Ali Sarkar, along with Islamic Movement district president A T M Golam Mostafa Babu and secretary Muhammad Mahmudur Rahman Ripon Sarkar and other leaders.