Attempts to use religion resurface ahead of elections: Salahuddin

Bangla Press Desk: BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed has said that attempts to exploit religion become visible in Bangladesh whenever elections approach.

Speaking as a special guest at the “Azmate Sahaba Conference” held at the Central Eidgah Ground in Narayanganj on Saturday, Salahuddin said, “In our country, we often see religion being used as a political tool during elections. About 92% of Bangladesh’s population is Muslim. We believe in the Islam of Madinah, the Islam of our Prophet (PBUH), but not in the Islam of Moududi. We must remain alert against those who spread division and discord in the name of religion.”

The senior BNP leader added that he did not consider himself qualified to speak at the religious gathering, saying, “I have come here to listen to the speeches of the distinguished scholars. Those who do not use Islam for political gain, who prioritise faith over worldly interests — they are the ones present here. I wished to be among them.”

Salahuddin cautioned against those who use religion to create political confusion.

“We welcome political discussions,” he said, “but we must ensure that no one harms our faith in the process.”

Criticising the ruling Awami League, Salahuddin alleged, “Sheikh Hasina’s government was anti-Islam and anti-Muslim. They oppressed Islamic scholars. By the will of Allah, we have witnessed how their political dominance came to an end.”

He urged for the establishment of “ideal and principled politics” in Bangladesh, stating that it is time to end “the destructive politics of the Awami League and build a nation rooted in values and ideology.”

BP/SP