Jamaat-e-Islami is set to stage what it describes as the largest rally in its history at Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka on Saturday, 19 July, marking the party’s first ever political programme at the historic venue.
From early morning, thousands of Jamaat activists from across the country have been heading towards the rally venue by chartered buses, launches and special trains. Party leaders say supporters are coming from every corner of Bangladesh as part of a nationwide mobilisation drive.
Assistant Secretary General Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair told reporters that Jamaat has arranged over 10,000 buses—excluding launches and trains—to bring supporters to Dhaka. He said more than one million leaders and activists are expected to attend the rally, with nearly 6,000 volunteers deployed for crowd management and internal security.
“To ensure smooth travel and accommodation for our members, Jamaat’s district and upazila committees have organised hundreds of chartered buses and special trains from all regions,” Zubair said.
To coordinate logistics and ensure a peaceful gathering, a seven-member Jamaat delegation led by Zubair met senior officials of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) on Tuesday. The meeting was chaired by DMP Additional Commissioner (Crimes and Operations) Nazrul Islam.
Zubair said the rally will press home the party’s seven-point demands, and the delegation had sought police cooperation for its peaceful conduct. “We have requested full cooperation from the police, and they have assured us of necessary support at every step,” he told the media after the meeting.
Jamaat’s demands include a level playing field before the next national election, introduction of proportional representation, voting rights for expatriate Bangladeshis, trial of killings during the 1971 war and July uprising, implementation of the July Charter for democratic reforms and rehabilitation of those killed or injured in the July movement.
Asked about potential threats or disruptions amid the current political climate, Zubair said, “We are not sensing any such risks at the moment. However, our local units, especially Dhaka city Jamaat, are staying cautious and alert.”
The delegation also included Jamaat central working committee members Dr Shafiqul Islam Masud and Dr Rezaul Karim, Majlis-e-Shura member Md Delawar Hossain, and Bangladesh Labour Welfare Federation Secretary Advocate Atiqur Rahman.
