Maulana Abdul Halim, Assistant Secretary General of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, has alleged that a range of conspiracies are being orchestrated to destabilise Islami Bank Bangladesh PLC. He stressed that the party does not wish the responsibility or “credit” for any harm to the bank to be attributed to the BNP government.
These remarks were made during a discussion titled “Ending Conspiracies Against Islami Bank Bangladesh PLC, Financial Security, and Establishing Fair Rights of Customers” held at the National Press Club.
Halim asserted that the bank should not be viewed through a political lens, as its current success is built on the contributions of customers from all backgrounds and political parties. He called for the banking sector to remain free from political influence, stating it is an economic sector and that protecting the bank is a collective responsibility regardless of political affiliation.
Addressing the perception that the bank is exclusively linked to Jamaat-e-Islami, Halim noted that employees represent various political ideologies, including members of Awami League families. He argued that a citizen should not be labeled “Jamaat” simply for being a bank official if they were hired based on merit, education, and character.
He further claimed that since its founding in 1983, businessmen and customers from all major parties, including the Awami League and BNP, have benefited and profited from loans provided by the bank.
Criticism of 2017 bank takeover
During the discussion, Abdul Halim also highlighted the 2017 change in ownership and management of Islami Bank Bangladesh PLC under the then Awami League government. He alleged, “The bank was taken over in broad daylight, not at night. The meetings were supposed to be held at Dilkusha, but all arrangements and meetings took place at Hotel Radisson. The Managing Director was forcibly taken away.”
He added, “The government that carried this out fled after lunch. Why would the BNP government follow them? They laundered Tk28 lakh crore.”
Blaming the S. Alam industrial group for the current crisis, he said control of the bank was established with the support of the previous administration. “Those who benefited most from the bank have now fled after putting themselves in charge of its downfall,” he claimed.
Questioning the current board and management, Halim insisted that the bank’s leadership should comprise qualified, skilled, and honest individuals, rather than political appointees.
‘Bangladesh first’
Urging that national interests be placed above party politics, Halim said, “Bangladesh first.” He stressed that criminals should not have political identities and that all political parties must unite against drug trafficking, rape, and other anti-social acts.
Cautioning about the interests of Islami Bank’s nearly 30 million customers, he warned that incorrect government decisions could erode public trust. He called for the bank to be restored to its previous status to protect remittance flows and the national financial sector.
Ahsan Ullah Shamim, Chief Coordinator of Nagorik Moncho and Chairman of the Deshpremik Nagarik Party, added that any illegal interference in the bank would provoke organised protests.
He criticised the government’s performance, noting that months into its tenure, no significant achievements have been seen, and incidents of looting, rape, murder, and abuse continue.
Shamim said the public expected the new government to deliver better outcomes than previous administrations. He warned that if the government fails, people could take to the streets again. Addressing the government, he stated that while it is viewed as a friend, a formidable movement would be launched if actions against Islam or Islami Bank are not withdrawn, while praise for good work and protest against wrongdoing will continue.
