A senior leader of Jamaat-e-Islami has sparked significant controversy in Lalmonirhat after likening the upcoming national parliamentary election to the ‘Battle of Badr’, the first armed conflict in Islamic history.
Habibur Rahman Sata, a member of the Hatibandha Upazila Jamaat-e-Islami executive committee and a former Union Parishad (UP) chairman, made the remarks during a political rally on Thursday.
The event, held at Dighirhat, was organised to support Anwarul Islam Raju, the Jamaat candidate for the Lalmonirhat-1 constituency.
According to the sources, Sata requested the local Imam to delay the start of the Isha prayers during the rally so he could continue his address.
At the rally, he asserted that the current electoral struggle is not merely a quest for a change in political power, but is comparable to the Battle of Badr.
In his speech, Sata criticised his political opponents, alleging that those who committed injustices in the past are again seeking opportunities. He further claimed that Hindus and Muslims would unite to bring Jamaat-e-Islami to power in the coming days.
The comparison of a democratic election to a holy war has drawn mixed reactions from the local population. One local voter, speaking on condition of anonymity, described the remarks as “provocative”, suggesting that such comparisons could mislead the general public regarding the democratic process.
Political analysts have also weighed in, noting that the tendency to use religious sentiment for electoral gain could negatively impact the overall election environment.
Despite the large turnout of Jamaat activists at the Dighirhat rally, Sata’s comments have become the primary focus of local political discussion.
The Battle of Badr, a landmark event in 624 AD, involved a small force of 313 Muslims led by the Prophet (PBUH) defeating a well-equipped army of approximately 1,000 soldiers led by Abu Jahl. The victory is regarded as a significant milestone in the history of Islam.
