Bangladesh Islamist Leaders Arrive in Beijing at the Invitation of the CCP
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Dhaka, Nov 28 (NationPress) A 14-member team consisting of top figures from Bangladesh's Jamaat-e-Islami and other friendly Islamic political parties - including the Khalifa Movement, Khalifa Council, and Islamic Order Party - arrived in Beijing on Thursday for what is the second visit by the nation's political leaders to China this month, at the invitation of the Communist Party of China (CCP).
The delegation is headed by Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher, the central Nayeb-e-Ameer (Vice President) of Jamaat-e-Islami and a former Member of Parliament.
This visit marks the first time that leaders from Jamaat or any Islamic political party have been officially invited by the CPC. The delegation is set to return to Bangladesh on December 5. When asked about the visit's purpose, Abdullah Mohammad Taher described it as a courtesy call but refrained from providing further details, as reported by Bangladesh's Daily Star.
Earlier this month, a four-member delegation from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) also traveled to China, again on an invitation from the CPC.
The visit by the Islamist leaders occurs during a time when the interim government in Bangladesh, led by Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus, has faced accusations of targeting minorities, particularly the Hindu community.
The Chinese Embassy in Bangladesh organized a farewell event for the joint delegation of Bangladeshi Islamic political parties prior to their trip to China on November 25. This was the same day that Hindu priest Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, spokesperson for the Bangladesh Sanatan Jagaran Mancha and leader of Pundarik Dham, was detained by the Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.
During the farewell event, Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen delivered a speech attended by leaders from Jamaat-e-Islami, including Shafiqul, along with senior members of the Khalifa Movement, Khalifa Council, Islamic Order Party, and Ansar Dine Organisation.
In his address, the Chinese Ambassador emphasized that Bangladesh is currently undergoing a significant historical transition and that China is dedicated to enhancing friendly relations with the interim government, political parties, and all sectors of society.
"It is hoped that this friendly visit to China will serve as a new beginning to further enhance inter-party cooperation between both sides and to jointly advance the ongoing development of the China-Bangladesh comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership for the mutual benefit of both nations and their peoples," Ambassador Yao Wen stated during the event, as released by the embassy.
Shafiqul, the leader of Jamaat-e-Islami, expressed gratitude to the Chinese Embassy for the valuable opportunity and affirmed that Jamaat-e-Islami and other friendly Islamic political parties are committed to fostering friendship with China and firmly uphold the one-China principle.
