Jamaat pays tribute at Shaheed Minar for first time

In a historic first, Jamaat-e-Islami marked its presence at the Central Shaheed Minar on the night of February 21, paying homage to the martyrs of the 1952 Language Movement. 

Opposition Leader and Jamaat Amir Dr Shafiqur Rahman placed a wreath at 12:24 am, followed by prayers for the forgiveness of the martyrs’ souls.

He was accompanied by Opposition Chief Whip and NCP Convener Nahid Islam, Jamaat-e-Islami Nayeb-e-Amirs ATM Azharul Islam and Professor Mujibur Rahman, Assistant Secretary General Maulana Rafiqul Islam, NCP Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain, and Northern Coordinator Hasnat Abdullah. Newly elected MPs from the 11-party alliance also participated.

According to a Jamaat, Dr Shafiqur Rahman’s visit was part of his official duties as the Leader of the Opposition. Following the tribute at Shaheed Minar, he visited the graves of the language martyrs at Azimpur graveyard and offered prayers in accordance with Islamic traditions.

Like other Islamist parties, Jamaat-e-Islami has abstained from placing flowers at the Shaheed Minar. The party observe Victory Day, Independence Day, and February 21 through prayers, discussions, and rallies instead. Between 2001 and 2006, Jamaat ministers attended such state rituals once at the National Martyrs Memorial as part of state rituals, but never paid tribute directly at the Shaheed Minar.

The party, which emerged as the main opposition after winning 68 seats in the February 12 elections, maintains that while it respects the martyrs and has historically contributed to the language movement, Islamic practice does not prescribe paying homage to any ‘symbols’.

When Dr Shafiqur Rahman began speaking to journalists after paying homage at the Shaheed Minar, a group of youths started chanting slogans such as “Razakar, Razakar,” “Dalals of 71, be careful,” and “Razakars of 71, leave Bangla right now.” In response, Jamaat leaders and activists also began chanting in return. Tensions escalated further as Jamaat activists shouted, “Bhasha Sainik Golam Azam, Lao, Lao, Lao Salam.”

Opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam, NCP Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain, and other alliance MPs were passing by during the confrontation. As the situation intensified, NCP leaders quickly returned to the Amir’s car. Law enforcement personnel moved in promptly to restore order and ensure security. Then, Dr Shafiqur Rahman and the alliance leaders departed from the Shaheed Minar area.