Islami Andolon Ameer and Charmonai Pir Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim said people shaped by Islamic principles could raise Islam’s flag at the state level. He made the remarks on Friday afternoon as chief guest at a student rally in Shahbagh’s Historic Shaheed Osman Hadi Square in the capital, marking the 35th founding anniversary of Islami Chhatra Andolon Bangladesh.

Karim said student life is the best time for self-development and urged activists to gain knowledge, character, skills and leadership qualities. He described Islami Chhatra Andolon Bangladesh as an ideology-based student organisation, contrasting it with the disorder, violence, occupation and other wrongdoing he said had resulted from activities of many other student groups.

The rally was chaired by the organisation’s central president, Muntachir Ahmad, and moderated by Secretary General Sultan Mahmud. Islami Andolon Secretary General Maulana Gazi Ataur Rahman urged the government to establish the practice of referendums and fulfil commitments related to the July Charter. Speakers also called on students to oppose drugs, terrorism, corruption and moral decline while pursuing education, research, skills and public welfare.