Hizb ut-Tahrir in Bangladesh organized a rally outside the national mosque after Jummah prayers today calling for the re-establishment of the Khilafah and a unified Muslim Army. The rally was called Badr Victory rally in remembrance of the victory of the Islamic state against the Quraysh at the Battle of Badr on 17th Ramadhan in the second year of Hijrah. Police prevented the rally and arrested 30 members and activists of the party. The rally was attended by several thousand Muslims. When they gathered to hold the rally after the prayers plain clothed officers started arresting them. The police snatched the shahadah flags, banners and placards from party members. They even arrested the general public who protested against their illegal actions.

At this time member of Hizb ut-Tahrir Muhammad Mizanur Rahman delivered a speech addressing the crowd inside the mosque compound. Mizanur Rahman said by preventing the victory rally the government has proven that it stands against the victory of Islam and supports imperialist domination. He said Ramadhan is the Month of Victory for the Muslims which begun with the Battle of Badr in the second year of Hijrah. Six years later the Muslims conquered the capital city of the Quraysh, the Holy city of Makkah in the month of Ramadhan. Since then the Muslim Ummah achieved historic victories against the disbelievers and polytheists. The Muslims Army was a victorious army under the leadership of the Khilafah state. After the destruction of the Khilafah on 28 Rajab 1342 Hijri (03 March 1924 CE), the imperialists have appointed agent rulers over the Ummah such as Maliki, Karzai, Gilani-Zardari and Khaleda-Hasina. These spineless rulers serve their masters in Washington, London, and Delhi. On the one hand they oppress the Ummah; and on the other hand they have surrendered the Ummah to the enemy.

In reaction to the government’s actions, Chief Coordinator and Official Spokesman of Hizb ut-Tahrir in Bangladesh Mohiuddin Ahmed issued a statement condemning the arrests and demanded the immediate release of those who were arrested. He said by these illegal arrests and oppressive actions upon the fasting Muslims, the government has behaved like Fira’un, Nimrodh and Abu Lahab. In the eyes of the government it is a crime to call for establishing the Islamic Khilafah and a unified Muslim Army and to call for removing US-British-Indian domination. This only proves that by its very nature the government and the current ruling system is subservient to the imperialists and they cannot tolerate any opinion or action against the interests of their masters. This is the real reason for their fascist behaviour.

The current government of Sheikh Hasina is doing everything in its capacity to maintain imperialist domination over the country. The government of Sheikh Hasina colluded with polytheist India to murder the army officers in Pilkhana. The government is plotting to grant transit to India, but they are doing nothing against India’s Tipaimukh damn project. They formed the so-called Counter Terrorism Framework with the old crusader Britain. They are granting access to the Bay of Bengal and its resources to the new crusader America. They are planning to reduce the manpower of BDR by 30% and weaken the country’s defence forces. They are withdrawing the army from the Chittagong Hill Tracts at the behest of the imperialists.

Mohiuddin Ahmed said the current ruling systems in the Muslim world are systems of surrender. They have brought defeat and humiliation upon the Ummah. Only the Khilafah can liberate the Muslim Ummah from the clutches of the imperialists. The Khilafah state will rebuild a unified Muslim Army to resume the Ummah’s victory over the kuffar; and leaders of the Khilafah will be enlightened statesmen who will guide the Ummah to establish her in the position of the world’s leading nation. Muhammmad (SAW) said,

‘The Imam is a shield behind whom you fight and protect yourselves.’ (Sahih Muslim)

Mohiuddin Ahmed concluded his statement with the following points:

1. The government of Sheikh Hasina which has committed heinous crimes in its first eight months must not be allowed to complete even half its term, let alone the full five year term.

2. The BNP alliance is not an alternative to the government of Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League alliance. Furthermore Muslims must beware of imperialist plans for creating other so-called alternatives. The people must not place any hope in the individuals or parties who belong to the current ruling system and serve imperialist America, Britain and India.

3. Muslims must resist all imperialist plans to dominate over the country. The people of influence and power have to resist the conspiracies to weaken the defence forces of the country and at the same time they must work for strengthening the country’s army, navy and air force.

4. It is an Islamic obligation upon the Muslims to join the movement for re-establishing the Khilafah. They have to rush forward to support Hizb ut-Tahrir which is leading this movement. In particular, the people of influence and power must provide their support to the party in its work for removing the current rulers and establishing the Khilafah.

Finally he reminded the Muslims of the glad tidings of the Prophet (SAW) about the conquest of Hind, the conquest of Rome and the highest prize – the victory over the Jews, completely eliminating their entity and purifying the Holy Palestine of their filth.

‘So lose not heart, nor fall into despair and you will be victorious if you are indeed (true) believers.’ [TMQ 3:139]

Mohiuddin Ahmed

Official Spokesman of Hizb ut-Tahrir in Bangladesh