Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami amir Shafiqur Rahman on Friday said that his party would priorities employment generation for young people instead of providing unemployment allowances, stressing that youths should become active builders of the nation rather than recipients of stipends.

‘We do not want our youths to accept unemployment allowances from anyone. We want to turn every young hand into a hand that builds the country,’ he told the central members’ conference of Islami Chhatrashibir as the chief guest at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre.

Shafiqur said Jamaat-e-Islami would work in unity with people of all classes to build a humane and discrimination-free Bangladesh. ‘We want to place work in every hand, strength in every heart and the message of revolution on the lips of our youths. Not unemployment allowance, but youths themselves will bring revolution in every sector of this country.’

Calling upon young people to prepare themselves, the Jamaat amir said, ‘You will succeed, Insha Allah. We are with you.’

Highlighting the party’s vision for education, Shafiqur said Jamaat wants to establish an education system that would help students become complete human beings, reach the highest standard of learning, develop strong moral character and acquire technical skills so that no young man or woman remains unemployed.

Referring to Chhatrashibir’s recent victories in different student unions, he said the youths now carry the responsibility of 180 million people. ‘May Allah make this burden easier for you and grant you the strength to bear it.  These victories indicate that the victory of justice will come to Bangladesh, Insha Allah.’

‘Students voted for Chhatrashibir as a symbol of justice in educational institutions, not for any other reason,’ he added.

The Jamaat chief also said his party wants to establish justice in the country, noting that Bangladesh is currently facing an acute shortage of justice. ‘The foundation of justice is the Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet (Sm). Justice has never been established anywhere in the world by abandoning the Quran and Sunnah.’

Shafiqur reiterated Jamaat-e-Islami’s commitment to restoring peace and discipline in people’s lives in line with divine guidance and to building a corruption-free, discrimination-free and justice-based humane Bangladesh.

The day-long conference is being attended by members from across the country. The first session began at 8:00am with the recitation of the Holy Quran, followed by the inaugural declaration and opening remarks.

The first session concluded at 1:00pm after speeches by invited guests, while the closing session began at 2:00pm after a short break.