Bangladesh Islamists confident of expanding hold

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

DHAKA, Jan 31 (Reuters) When Islamist militants set off some 500 bombs across Bangladesh in 2005, many thought the blasts had also dealt a deadly blow to the country's largest Islamist political party.

The militants were seen to be linked to the Jamaat-e-Islami party, which aims to establish a purist Islamic state in majority Muslim Bangladesh. Over 100 men arrested in after the blasts were suspected to have some kind of Jamaat connection.

But despite the outrage at the attacks, Jamaat still believes it is still a political force to be reckoned with.

''It was all propaganda,'' says Abdul Quader Molla, a Jamaat assistant secretary-general. ''Those allegations were political attacks to tarnish our image and people have seen through it.'' ''We believe that the democratic process is the best process to establish any ideology, not bombs and bullets. Islam does not advocate armed struggle,'' said the bearded senior leader.

Jamaat had proven its worth as a credible and capable political party in power and would, in fact, improve on its performance in the coming elections, he said.

Jamaat remains aligned with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which completed its five year term in power in October and is now seeking reelection in a contentious vote suspended in January after allegation of bias by the election organisers.

Some analysts like M Ataur Rahman, head of Bangladesh's association of political science teachers, are willing to buy the argument that Jamaat could gain strength.

''They became a moderate party after coming to power,'' Rahman said. ''Jamaat may be strict and intolerant when it comes to religious rituals but they are not so as a political force.'' ''Some people linked to the bomb blasts may have Jamaat backgrounds but they are thought to be deserters,'' he said.

CLEAN IMAGE Formerly East Pakistan, Bangladesh was founded in 1971 after a liberation war. Although over 85 per cent Muslim, it chose to be a secular Bengali nation.

Jamaat supported Pakistan in the separation war. Yet, the party has grown into a potent and organised political force.

Its fortunes multiplied in 2001 when it joined hands with the BNP, won 5 per cent of the votes and 17 of 300 seats in parliament on its own, and helped tip the scales in favour of the BNP to capture power.

In power, political analysts say, Jamaat pushed its supporters to enter or occupy important positions in the bureaucracy, police, army and other agencies to build influence.

That the party was given two powerful ministries industries and social welfare helped its goals, they say, at a time Islamic extremism was growing and the world focused on the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, attacks.

While rubbishing charges of promoting extremism, Jamaat leaders say the 17 lawmakers, including the two ministers, helped the party prove the quality of its politicians in a country where squabbling leaders stand largely discredited and corruption is seen as the biggest state-run corporation.

''We had only two ministers in the previous government but people say we did very well,'' said Mohammad Shamsul Islam, the Jamaat head in Chittagong, Bangladesh's commercial capital and a party stronghold.

''There were no charges of corruption or political mismanagement against them and in fact, one of them is considered the most successful minister,'' he said. ''So the people will judge us on merit and not some baseless charges.'' US BACKING? Adding weight to their argument is the fact that top militant leaders blamed for the 2005 blasts were arrested and are awaiting execution without any links to Jamaat proven.

Besides, the party pushed for upgrading madrasas or Islamic religious schools by supporting government-funded institutions that teach a mixture of religion and modern subjects.

It has also tried to curb its volatile student wing which was accused of inciting violence, analyst Rahman said.

As a result, even the West, which was long suspicious of Jamaat, is no longer ''allergic'' to the party, said leader Molla.

''The US State Department describes us as a moderate, democratic Islamic party,'' he said to buttress his claim.

''American and European diplomats visit our office regularly and we have open discussions.'' ''So who says we are radical?'' With Bangladeshi politics polarised strongly between the BNP and the Awami League, a moderate and pro-nationalist party, he says Jamaat does not yet have the organisational strength to contest all parliamentary seats.

This time, the party aims to contest 50 or 55 seats and win 25 to 30 easily, he said.

Some diplomats and political analysts believe Jamaat could pull it off.

''They seem to have the backing of the United States because Washington thinks Jamaat in power would remain responsible and moderate than out of power,'' one diplomat said.

REUTERS SY MIR RAI0830

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