Jamaat stages protest in Gazipur, demands Azharul's release

Thousands of leaders and activists of Jamaat-e-Islami staged a protest in Gazipur district town today, demanding the reinstatement of the party's registration and the release of its Assistant Secretary General ATM Azharul Islam.

As part of the nationwide programme, the demonstration, organised by Jamaat's Gazipur Metropolitan and District units, began at Shibbari intersection around 10:30am.

Protesters marched while chanting slogans calling for Azharul's unconditional release and the return of the party's registration.

Speaking at the rally, Hossein Ali, nayeb-e-ameer of Jamaat's Gazipur Metropolitan unit and a central majlis-e-shura member, alleged that several Jamaat leaders had previously been executed following verdicts by what he called a "false tribunal."

"The whole world knows these were unjust," he alleged.

"Our assistant secretary general remains in jail, and we demand his immediate release."

Among others, Jamaat's Central Working Committee member Principal Izzat Ullah and former central president of Islami Chhatra Shibir Salahuddin Ayubi addressed the gathering.