News:

In a televised address on Friday, October 18, 2013, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina offered formation of an all-party government to supervise the upcoming national election. Two days later, opposition leader Khaleda Zia made alternative proposal for forming an election-time, ‘non-party' government. On October 28, Hasina talked with Khaleda over phone when Khaleda gave a two day ultimatum to start a dialogue. The 37-minute telephone conversation was later leaked to media, apparently by the government, creating another controversy in the national politics. The 10th Parliamentary election is supposed to be held in January 2014.

Meanwhile, the activities of the foreign diplomats surrounding the election are lead news in the mainstream media of Bangladesh daily. Especially, Dan W. Mozena, the U.S. ambassador to Bangladesh, is continuously meeting with the top political leaders, diplomats of other countries and senior government officials. His meeting with Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka and a visit to New Delhi to discuss election of Bangladesh has grabbed high attention in the political arena.

Comment:

Scrapping the provision for an election-time caretaker government by Hasina in the 15th amendment to the constitution is a good example of how the whims and desires of human beings is the supreme law in the man-made system. The Constitution Reform Committee had recommended retention of the caretaker government system with minor modifications after extensive consultation with various stakeholders including the political parties. Their recommendations were turned upside down by Sheikh Hasina, who decided to scrap the system.

The Awami League leaders who, in 1996, launched violent political programs for the caretaker government system are now shamelessly opposing it. Even those who were in the Constitution Reform Committee and who argued and recommended retention of the caretaker government system are now shamelessly arguing against it following the desires of Hasina. On the other hand, BNP, who were in the helm of the country during 1991-96 and were forced to accept the system are now launching series of violent political programs to attain a neutral, non-party election-time government. This is the reality of the man-made system as ironically, the positions of the parties have changed over time regarding the same issue.

While two political parties have divided the nation and locked their horns for a violent battle, the foreign diplomats, the vultures, have started to sharpen their bloody claws. How do our shameless politicians meet and update them on the political developments openly and on a regular basis? How does the ambassador of the terrorist America, who moves around Dhaka city with a security protocol equivalent to the Prime Minister and President of the country, dictate politics of the country? Do all these serve the interests of the people who struggle for their daily living? In fact, hundreds of people have died and maimed in the last eight months due to political violence and government atrocities. This is the result of man-made system where political parties fulfil their desires as they wish claiming that they are doing everything for the benefit of the people, even if that means killing people in broad daylight. Allah (swt) says,

وَأَنِ احْكُمْ بَيْنَهُمْ بِمَا أَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ وَلَا تَتَّبِعْ أَهْوَاءَهُمْ وَاحْذَرْهُمْ أَنْ يَفْتِنُوكَ عَنْ بَعْضِ مَا أَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ إِلَيْكَ فَإِنْ تَوَلَّوْا فَاعْلَمْ أَنَّمَا يُرِيدُ اللَّهُ أَنْ يُصِيبَهُمْ بِبَعْضِ ذُنُوبِهِمْ وَإِنَّ كَثِيرًا مِنَ النَّاسِ لَفَاسِقُونَ

"So rule between them by what Allah has revealed, and follow not their vain desires, diverging away from the truth that has come to you." [Surah Al-Ma'idah: 48]

While man-made system fails to solve people's problems, system given Allah (swt), the Creator of the whole universe and humans, has comprehensive solutions to all human problems. Allah (swt) says,

((وَمَا أَنْزَلْنَا عَلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ إِلَّا لِتُبَيِّنَ لَهُمُ الَّذِي اخْتَلَفُوا فِيهِ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةً لِقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ))

"We have revealed to you the Book which clarifies every matter." [Surah an-Nahl: 64]

Islam has laid out a specific mechanism for the election of the Khaleefah by the Ummah in the Islamic state. We must turn to Islam because only the system given by Allah (swt) ensures the real solution which is obligatory on us.

Written for The Central Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir by
Muhammad Raiyan Hasan
Member of Hizb ut Tahrir in Bangladesh