Islami Andolon Bangladesh Ameer and Charmonai Pir Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim said the government has failed to understand public sentiment, citing what he described as reluctance to implement the July Charter. He said those entrusted with state power after July were not prioritising national interests. He made the remarks on Friday afternoon as chief guest at Islami Jubo Andolon Bangladesh’s 10th anniversary rally at the north gate of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque in the capital.

Karim said a nation could not achieve liberation without good leaders and sound policies. Without their combination, he said, aspirations for development, security and good governance would not be realised. He also argued that the highest ideals of Islam had no alternative for eliminating corruption, extortion and drugs in the country.

He criticised what he called immorality, disorder and deception carried out in Islam’s name, saying such actions do not become Islam and instead tarnish it. The rally was chaired by Maulana Oliullah Talukdar, president of Islami Jubo Andolon Bangladesh’s Dhaka South unit. Islami Andolon Secretary General Maulana Gazi Ataur Rahman and other party leaders also addressed the gathering.