Rafiqul Islam, joint general secretary of the Awami League’s Labagamara North Union unit in Cumilla, attended a local Jamaat-e-Islami conference, claiming he did so as a Muslim participating in Islamic events. “The event was held in my village, and I felt obligated to attend,” he stated. However, Jamaat leaders denied any knowledge of him or other Awami League members attending the event, asserting that members of other parties are typically not allowed to attend their gatherings.