Naogaon, Feb 05 (V7N) — Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman on Thursday said that Bangladesh belongs to all its citizens, regardless of religion or ethnicity, declaring that his party rejects any concept of majority and minority in the country.

He made the remarks while addressing an election rally at the ATM Ground in Naogaon on Thursday morning.

“This country is not only for Muslims. Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, Santals—this country is for everyone,” he said, assuring equal rights and security for all citizens.

Referring to recent criticism against him, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman claimed that he has been targeted with continuous “missiles of lies” over the past five days. He alleged that even some of his old acquaintances were involved in spreading propaganda against him.

“I have forgiven them. May Allah forgive them as well,” he said, adding that he has chosen not to respond to propaganda or slander and will continue to refrain from doing so.

The Jamaat Ameer also pledged to create an environment where no oppressor dares to demean women, promising safety, dignity, and equal rights for women across the country.

Referring to the July Revolution, he said that people from all walks of life—including youth, farmers, and workers—took to the streets not demanding allowances, but demanding employment. He pledged to make the youth skilled through education and training, enabling sustainable employment opportunities.

Criticizing what he described as the landlord-style politics prevailing in the country, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said that if Jamaat comes to power, only merit, qualifications, and patriotism will matter.

He expressed hope that leadership in Bangladesh would no longer be hereditary, stating that talented children of rickshaw pullers could one day become prime minister.

The Jamaat Ameer further promised that if his party forms the government, it would bring back laundered money from abroad and deposit it into the state treasury, while ensuring that extortion is completely eliminated.

END/SMA/AJ