Staff Correspondent:

BNP senior leader Salahuddin Ahmed on Saturday said their party will restore ‘absolute faith and trust in the Almighty Allah’ in the Constitution’s preamble and in the fundamental principles of state policy if it returns to power.

“Our leader and martyred President Ziaur Rahman was the first to add ‘Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim’ to the Constitution of Bangladesh. It is still there. Many tried to remove it, but they could not,” he said while speaking at the International Khatme Nubuwwat Grand Council at Suhrawardy Udyan.

Salahuddin, a BNP Standing Committee member, said Ziaur Rahman also included ‘full trust and faith in Almighty Allah’ in the Constitution’s preamble and in Article 8 of the fundamental principles of state policy.

“You know that it has been removed … Do you want us to restore it?…InshaAllah, we will restore it (if we are voted to power),” he told the large gathering.

The phrase ‘absolute trust and faith in Almighty Allah’ was added to the Constitution through the Fifth Amendment during Ziaur Rahman’s rule, replacing ‘secularism’ as a fundamental principle. But it was removed in the 15th Amendment in 2011, which reinstated secularism as a state principle, following a Supreme Court ruling that declared the Fifth Amendment illegal.

Referring to various demands raised at the gathering, including the demand to declare members of the Ahmadiyya community (often referred to as Qadianis) as non-Muslims, he said their party would take steps to address these demands by placing them in Parliament.

“If Allah grants us the responsibility to run the state, and if the people support us, and if you all — the Islamic scholars and alem-ulema — help us, we will address your demands. The proposals raised here today will be discussed in Parliament, and necessary legal steps will be taken, InshaAllah,” he added.

The BNP leader also urged political parties, Islamic scholars and citizens to remain united to materialise these demands.

“For this proposal to be adopted, everyone must remain united. Everyone in the National Parliament must be united, and all Muslims across Bangladesh must be united. InshaAllah, we will accept your proposal. As I said earlier, those who are not on the side of the Messenger of Allah Muhammad (peace be upon him) cannot be Muslims.”

The Ahmadiyya community was founded in 1889 by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad. They believe that Mirza Ghulam Ahmad is the Promised Messiah of the latter days. They also believe in the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) as the Seal of the Prophets, but hold that a prophet can come after him as a reformer.

Salahuddin said Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) had declared that he is the final Prophet and Messenger.

“Anyone claiming prophethood after him falls outside the teachings of the Prophet. We became Muslims by believing in the finality of prophethood. As citizens of Bangladesh, we take pride in our national identity, but the unity of the global Muslim community is our strength,” he said.

Referring to global conflicts, including in Palestine and the suffering of Rohingya Muslims, the BNP leader said Muslims around the world are facing persecution because of division and weakness.