MoFA ready to publish Jamaat amir’s letter if he agrees

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said it is ready to make public the much-discussed letter sent by Jamaat-e-Islami Amir and Leader of the Opposition Shafiqur Rahman, provided he gives written consent.

The ministry made the statement on Wednesday to clarify issues surrounding media reports about the letter. It also rejected claims that the foreign minister had any phone conversation with Jamaat leaders regarding the matter.

According to the ministry, Shafiqur Rahman recently sent a letter to Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman requesting that his Foreign Affairs Adviser, Professor Mohammad Mahmudul Hasan, be posted to the ministry with the rank of minister. The letter was written on the opposition leader’s official pad and bore only his signature.

The issue drew attention after a media report published on Tuesday titled “Opposition Leader Wants Posting of His Adviser in the Foreign Ministry.”

Following the report, Jamaat-e-Islami said that adviser Mahmudul Hasan had added the reference to the “rank of minister” in the letter without the instructions of the party’s amir.

The party later relieved Hasan of his duties after the matter came to light.

In its statement, the Foreign Ministry said that no phone conversation had taken place between the foreign minister and Jamaat leaders regarding the issue, contrary to some media reports.

Providing further details about the letter, the ministry said that on February 22, Mohammad Mahmudul Hasan sent the letter to the foreign minister on behalf of the opposition leader.

The letter was first sent electronically and later handed over directly.

According to the ministry, the letter recommended appointing Mahmudul Hasan to the Foreign Ministry either as an adviser or minister in his capacity as the “Foreign Affairs Adviser to the Leader of the Opposition.” In the letter, Shafiqur Rahman also praised Hasan’s skills, professionalism and discretion.

The ministry added that the opposition leader had made a special request to appoint Hasan to the proposed role in order to help advance Bangladesh’s foreign policy.

MoFA said it is prepared to disclose the full text of the letter to the public if the opposition leader provides written approval.