Khaleda attends Jamaat iftar

Jamaat-e-Islami yesterday said the government's “conspiracy to ruin the party” through executing the death sentences of its leaders convicted of war crimes would not be successful.

Jamaat Nayeb-e-Ameer Mujibur Rahman made the comment at an iftar party hosted by the organisation in a city hotel.

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia attended the programme as the chief guest. 

After the iftar, Khaleda, also chief of the BNP-led 20-party alliance, was introduced to the Jamaat leaders who are now playing an important role in the party in the absence of its top brass who are behind bars on war crimes charges. Jamaat is a key component of the combine.

Earlier, in a written speech, Mujibur called upon people to “wage resistance against injustice and falsehood”.

Most of the Jamaat top leaders, including its acting chief and acting secretary general, did not participate in the programme, fearing police arrest, party insiders said.

Only nine central leaders of the Jamaat were seen at the programme, which was attended, among others, by pro-BNP intellectuals, journalists and other professionals.