Dhaka Metropolitan Jamaat-e-Islami staged a protest rally in the capital condemning what it described as large-scale attacks on Iran by the United States and Israel in violation of international law, and the killing of the country’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and senior military officials.
The rally was held on Sunday afternoon at the north gate of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque in Dhaka.
The programme was chaired by Dhaka Metropolitan South Ameer Nurul Islam Bulbul. The party’s Nayeb-e-Ameer and Member of Parliament ATM Azharul Islam, Assistant Secretary General and Member of Parliament Maulana Rafiqul Islam Khan, Publicity Secretary Matiur Rahman Akanda and Dhaka Metropolitan North Ameer Md Selim Uddin, among others, spoke at the protest rally.
Addressing the rally, ATM Azharul Islam said the “shameful attacks” by the United States and Israel must stop, warning that otherwise an anti-aggression resistance movement would be built with the people of Bangladesh.
The Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) also staged a protest march and rally in response to the incident.
The procession began at Mukti Bhaban in Purana Paltan and concluded with a rally in front of the National Press Club.
At the rally, CPB leader Kazi Sazzad Zahir Chandan said that what he termed the “banditry” of the United States and its allies had put the world at risk of another major war.
He said military attacks on Iran, the killing of political leaders and bomb attacks on schools resulting in the indiscriminate deaths of children could not be accepted under any circumstances.
CPB General Secretary Abdullah Kafi Ratan and other senior leaders also addressed the gathering.
The party announced a further rally and procession to be held at 4:00pm on Monday in front of the National Press Club under the banner of the Gonotantrik Jukta Front to protest against US aggression and war.
Meanwhile, Khilafat Majlis organised a protest march and rally at the north gate of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque after Juhr prayers.
The programme was arranged by the party’s Dhaka Metropolitan branch.
Speaking as chief guest, Khilafat Majlis Secretary General Ahmad Abdul Qader said the joint attack on Iran by the United States and Israel during the month of Ramadan had hurt the sentiments of peace-loving people.
He alleged that the attack once again exposed what he described as the “terrorist character” of Israel and the United States.
Bangladesh Khilafat Majlis also strongly condemned the killing of Iran’s top religious leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
In a joint statement sent to the media, the party’s Ameer Maulana Mamunul Haque and Secretary General Maulana Jalaluddin Ahmad said Iran is a fully independent and sovereign country, and that the killing of its chief religious leader through a missile strike represented a clear disregard for established international law and norms.
