Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami ameer Shafiqur Rahman on Tuesday sought unconditional forgiveness from those who have been hurt or harmed by actions or words of any members of the party.

Speaking at a press conference held at the Institution of Diploma Engineers in Dhaka, the Jamaat chief said, ‘No one is above mistakes, and as a political party, we do not claim to be exempt from errors. We seek unconditional forgiveness from anyone who has suffered or been hurt by any of our leaders or activists. Please forgive us.’

He said the party tried to stand by the families of those who were martyred or injured during student-led mass uprising. ‘Due to many limitations, we could not fulfil all of our responsibilities. If we have caused anyone pain through our words or actions, in any way, at any time, we ask for forgiveness,’ he added.

The Jamaat ameer also said that the party had long awaited what he called a ‘just verdict,’ referring to the Supreme Court ruling that acquitted Jamaat’s former acting secretary general ATM Azharul Islam of all charges.

According to Shafiqur, Azharul was initially handed the death penalty without proper adherence to either international or domestic laws. ‘At that time, the Constitution was ignored, laws held no significance. The court operated at the whim of those who pulled the strings. Their wishes, whether lawful or unlawful, became the law,’ he claimed.

The press conference was convened to share Jamaat’s official reaction to the Supreme Court’s verdict that acquitted Azharul Islam.

The Jamaat chief further claimed that the party had endured severe repression during the rule of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina. ‘Eleven top leaders of our party were victims of judicial killings in fabricated, stage-managed cases, based on false testimonies,’ he alleged.

Senior Jamaat leaders present at the press conference included Nayeb-e-Ameer Mujibur Rahman, Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher, acting Secretary General Maulana ATM Masum and others from the party.