The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Awami League (AL) Acting General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam yesterday said that the Iftar party the Awami league leaders had attended on Friday at the invitation of the Saudi ambassador and in which jamaat leaders also attended beyond their knowledge , was simply a religious party and that it has nothing to do with politics.

When asked AL took a decision to boycott any programme in which the Jamaat-e- Islam will attend, Ashraful said, "AL never does politics on the basis of religion and we will never join in any political programme with Jamaat."

He was speaking to reporters after coming out from a meeting with the retired army officers ,eight of whom formally joined Awami League. The meeting took place at the Gulshan residence of party's acting president Zillur Rahman.

He urged all not to mix religion with politics.

Clarifying his stand, Ashraful said Muslims irrespective of their political opinions come to mosque to say their prayers. Will it be fair and just from religious point of view to leave the mosque if jamaat men join the prayer in the mosque ?, he asked.

Asked if his party leaders will attend the future religious programmes

at the invitation of embassies of the Muslim countries in which jamaat leaders might attend, he said " let the invitation come first and we will think

what to do".

The AL boycotted the celebrations on the country's victory day and Independence Day in the previous year at Bangabhaban, protesting the invitation to Jamaat-e-Islami men who played a controversial role in the war of independence, he noted.

Welcoming the ex-army officials in the party, Ashraful said we will work

together for the good of the country and welfare of the people.

AL presidium member Amir Hossain Amu said: "We cannot avoid any diplomatic invitation as we are involved in politics.

In this connection, he reminded that when Sheikh was prime Ministry of the country she attended a party of the Pakistan High Commission here.

The officers who joined AL are majors (rtd) Khandaker Abdul Hafiz, Hossain Ahmed Khan and Taifuddin Khan, captain (rtd) Shahed Ullah Chishti, retired air force squadron leader Masrur-ul-Haque, major Yusuf Hossain, captain Nowsher Ali, Anwarul Islam.

Hasan Mahmud, special assistant of Sheikh Hasina, former army chief KM Shafiullah and former navy chief Rear Admiral Nurul Islam, among others were also present.

AL will start formal negotiation with its 14 party allies from today. the party will sit with Bangladesh Workers party and Gonotronti Party today.