Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman has announced that the party’s future members of parliament (MPs) from the 13th National Election will not accept tax-free cars or government plots at discounted rates.
He said that priority will be given to the marginalised in all sectors. Shafiqur made the remarks on Friday during the inauguration of a free medical camp at the Monipur School and College ground in Dhaka-10 constituency.
He continued, “Jamaat-e-Islami alone cannot build a just country, everyone must come forward to help. I urge the people to forget the past and, if they make the right decision in the upcoming election, within five years, Bangladesh will transform.”
“I call on the people to stand by Jamaat-e-Islami to build a Bangladesh free of fear and insecurity.”
The free medical camp was organised by Kafrul South Thana Jamaat-e-Islami. This was the first time Jamaat’s ameer was seen in public after recovering from bypass surgery, which kept him rested for over a month.
Shafiqur had undergone successful heart bypass surgery on August 2 at United Hospital in Gulshan.
‘Confidence in the country’s healthcare system’
Expressing his belief in the country’s medical services, Shafiqur said, “The people, who cannot afford treatment abroad, trust the medical facilities in our country. If ordinary people cannot go abroad for treatment, then how can I?
“I have always had confidence in the country’s healthcare system. To restore people’s trust in our healthcare system, I decided to stay and receive treatment in the country, trusting in Allah.”
He added, “Politicians speak on behalf of the people. It was not possible for me to go abroad for treatment while leaving my people behind. My decision to seek treatment in Bangladesh was also to protest against those who rush abroad at the slightest illness.
“I cannot support the idea of someone preaching about building a golden Bengal while running abroad for treatment if anything happens to them.”
To political leaders, the Jamaat ameer said, “I advise my political friends—there is good healthcare in Bangladesh, don’t go abroad for treatment. If politicians had treated themselves here, the flaws in our healthcare system would have been addressed.”