Develop tieswith Muslim nations, Nizami urges western societies

Unb, Dhaka

Jamaat Ameer and Industries Minister Matiur Rahman Nizami has called on the western societies to make fundamental paradigm shift in their attitude towards Muslims to make fruitful relations with the Muslim nations.

"Religion plays a very important role in Muslim societies and would continue to do so in countries like Bangladesh in the foreseeable future," he said while delivering a speech at the Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatham House of London on Monday.

Nizami was attending a meeting entitled 'Islamic political parties within the democratic process in Bangladesh: The Jamaat approach', under the institute's Asia programme lectures, according to a message received here yesterday.

The minister is now in the UK to attend a conference organised by the Islamic Forum, Europe.

The Jamaat leader said Islam and democracy are the same in essence as far as governance is concerned. "Islam rejected hereditary kingship, autocratic rule as well as the use of force to gain power."

Nizami also underlined that Jamaat in line with its constitution has in theory and practice demonstrated its unflinching commitment to democratic means through its long and distinguished history of political participation.

The meeting was widely participated by leading muslim organisations in the UK and Europe, as well as by key institutions of the British government, including the British Foreign and Commonwealth office, the Ministry of Defense and the Department for International Development (DFID).

Academicians and researchers from leading British think tanks, including RUSI and IISS as well as representatives of the Amnesty International and members of the diplomatic community in London also took part in the deliberations.

Bangladesh High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Sabihudin Ahmed also spoke at the meeting.