Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Friday called for national unity and the creation of a fair and equal Bangladesh. “Our children and people from all walks of life gave their lives for a non-discriminatory society,” he said at an event in Jashore. “We want a Bangladesh where everyone, regardless of caste, religion, or party, enjoys equal rights.” He emphasized protecting national unity and staying alert against forces trying to divide the country. He said, “We have to maintain this national unity… No one can destroy this unity. For this, our students and the people of all Bangladesh must be vigilant.” Shafiqur Rahman accused the former government of  perpetuating injustice, forced disappearances and smuggling resources abroad. Plot afoot to brand Bangladesh as communal, stay alert: Fakhrul “Those who spread the branches of fascism on us, those who carried out violence for 15 and a half years, those who committed murder, looted the country's resources and smuggled them abroad, we will not forgive them,” he said. He vowed to seek justice for these actions. Referring to his party’s struggles, he said many Jamaat leaders, including Delwar Hossain Sayedee, Golam Azam, Ali Ahsan Mujahid and Abdul Quader Mollah, were killed unfairly. Despite oppression, the party remains committed to its goals, he added. Praising Jashore’s history of resistance, he recalled the contributions of Major MA Jalil and his comrades during the Liberation War.  

The Counter Terrorism & Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit of Dhaka Metropolitan Police arrested the ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Shafiqur Rahman early hours of Tuesday.  Deputy Commissioner (media) of DMP Faruq Hossain confirmed it to UNB but he didn’t disclose the details of the arrest and the allegations against the Jamaat ameer. Acting Secretary General of Jamaat ATM Masum in a statement claimed the arrest was made around 1 am from his residence in the capital. Read more: Jamaat declares overlapping 10-point demand; announces mass rally on Dec 24 He condemned and protested the arrest. He said the government cannot stop the ongoing political protests in the country by such arrests. “The people’s movement cannot be stopped by creating fear, attack and filing cases,” he said in his statement. Masum urged the authority to immediately give unconditional release of arrested Jamaat leaders including Shafiqur and leaders of other political parties. On December 11, the ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami announced a 10-point demand largely overlapping with the BNP's, and declared a mass rally on December 24 just after the BNP's announcement. Read more: Mirza Fakhrul, Abbas shown arrested in Paltan police station case: DB Chief Jamaat-e-Islami made the announcement to build a nationwide simultaneous mass movement based on the 10-point demand to restore democracy in the country and bring back the people's rights, said a media statement..

Freedom fighter Shafiqur Rahman (Munna), advisor and founder director of Mercantile Insurance Co. Ltd, passed away on August 23. He was 70. He breathed his last at his residence in Dhaka due to cardiac arrest. Rahman left behind his mother, wife, only daughter, grandson, granddaughter and host of relatives and well-wishers to mourn his death. Rahman served as Chairman of Skyways Techno Services Ltd, Managing Director of S. Rahman Associates Ltd and Managing Director of Comfort Real Estate Ltd. He was an Executive Member of Bangladesh Cricket Control Board (BCCB 1991-1996) and advisor of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB 2002-2005) and Chairman of the Grounds and Facilities Committee, BCB (2003-2005). Late Rahman developed venues and pitches of international standards in Chittagong, Khulna and Rajshahi Divisional Stadiums, Narayangonj Fatullah Cricket Stadium, Bogra Shaheed Chandu Stadium. He was a member of the Under-19 World Cup Organizing Committee, President of Victoria Sporting Club (2001-2006). During this period, Victoria Sporting Club won Championships for two consecutive years in the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League during the seasons 2001-2002 and 2002-2003. He also served as General Secretary, Victoria Sporting Club (1985), Cricket Secretary, Victoria Sporting Club (1975-1980), Victoria Sporting Club won the Dhaka Cricket League Championship in 1975-1976 and Runners-up in 1976-1977. Rahman produced and groomed cricket players like Abdur Razzak Raj, Alok Kapali, Manjurul Rana, Shakib Al Hasan, Aftab and others. He was a pioneer in introducing professionalism in club cricket by paying remuneration to players since 1975. Read: PM mourns death of freedom fighter Mukul Bose Rahman was a life member of Victoria Sporting Club, Dhaka Club Ltd and Gulshan Club Ltd. He was also a founding member of Cadet College Club. The veteran sports organiser, also an ex-president of Victoria Sporting Club, played many roles at the cricket board. He was a member of the BCB's executive committee and advisory committee and was also a member of the interim committee for the BCB formed in 2007. He had been a long-standing chairman of the board's Grounds and Facilities Committee and was a member of the first BPL Governing Council.