Where there are obstacles, there will be resistance, InshaAllah: Jamaat-e-Islami's Women's Wing

The Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami's women's wing has alleged that attacks on women workers and deep conspiracies are going on across the country ahead of the elections. However, the leaders of the organization have warned that no obstacle will be able to suppress women voters.

On Sunday (February 1), the leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami's women's wing submitted a memorandum to the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC). The memorandum demanded the security of women workers, a fair voting environment and a level playing field to be ensured.

After the meeting with the Election Commission, the central leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami and a delegation from the women's division spoke to journalists. The delegation included Women's Division Secretary General Nesa Siddique, Assistant Secretary Saida Rahman and Political Affairs Officer Dr. Habiba Chowdhury.

After the meeting, Dr. Habiba Chowdhury said, "About 50 percent of the country's total voters are women. We want to vote in a fair and peaceful environment. For the last 15-16 years, our mothers and sisters were deprived of the right to vote. Now, a group is engaged in a deep conspiracy to destroy that opportunity. We have submitted pictorial documents of attacks on women in at least 15 places in the country to the Election Commission."

She also said, "There is no point in intimidating us. Women are not helpless, we are brave. Wherever obstacles arise, resistance will be built, InshaAllah."

In response to a question from journalists, Secretary of the Women's Department, Nesa Siddique, said, "Jamaat-e-Islami is an Islamic organization and we follow the provisions of the Quran. Allah Almighty has made men the directors of women. Therefore, women's leadership in top positions is not the main issue for us; the main issue is ensuring women's rights and security. There have been two women prime ministers in the country in the last 54 years, but has that ensured women's security?"

She further said that about 43 percent of the Jamaat-e-Islami's Majlis-e-Shura advisory committee has female representatives and women are also participating extensively in local elections.

Regarding the post-election situation, Jamaat leaders complained that a level playing field has not yet been ensured at the field level. Citing the examples of the murders of Sharif Osman Hadi and Rezaul Karim, they said that the administration and the Election Commission must remain neutral. If there is bias towards any particular party, the election will be questionable.

At that time, the members of the delegation described the allegations raised by the BNP as 'nonsense' and 'an expression of cowardice'. They claimed that a party is making these statements after being restless after seeing the growing support of the people for Jamaat.

After receiving the memorandum, the Election Commissioners listened to the allegations seriously and assured to take necessary action, said Dr. Habiba Chowdhury. She said that the Election Commission has assured us that they will look at the issues positively and work to ensure a fair voting environment.