DHAKA, – Information Minister Dr. Hasan Mahmud today accused BNP and Jamaat of using Islam as a tool to grab state power and urged the religious scholars to remain alert against their motive.

“Only Awami League and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have taken all necessary steps for Islam. On the other hand, BNP and Jamaat used Islam to go to power,” he told the founding anniversary celebration of Bangladesh United Islami Party (BUIP) at Suhrawardy Udyan.

He added: “They (BNP, Jamaat) did nothing for Islam”.

Hasan, also the publicity and publication secretary of the ruling Awami League, said there are many parties in the country which did only bad politics with the Islamic scholars. “BNP-Jamaat used them as a stair to grab the power,” he added.

“Bangabandhu’s daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is working relentlessly for the welfare of Islam. She established the Islamic Arabic University which was a hundred-year-old demand of the Alem society. The government also recognized the certificate of Kowmi madrasha. Now the students of the madrashas are getting jobs,” the minister added.

Besides, Hasan said the government has set up 73,000 ‘moktabs’ where the students of Kowmi madrashas have been appointed.

The minister said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also formed a welfare trust for the Islamic scholars after assuming power in 1996. But, BNP didn’t pay a single dime when they were in power in 2001. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina donated Taka 10 crore after assuming office in 2010, he added.

Hasan said, everyone should remain alert against BNP and Jamaat as they make confusion among the people and use Islam in their interest.

About a demand of BNP regarding its chief Begum Khaleda Zia’s medical treatment, the minister said the politics of BNP is now stuck in the sickness of Begum Zia.

“But, she is now getting world class medical treatment. Every facility is being given to her. She gets her favorite house maid. Everyday a doctor visits her in the jail for checkup. A physiotherapist and a nurse have been appointed for her,” he said.

Hasan added, “Besides, the treatment of Begum Zia is going on at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU)… You know that Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader was also admitted at BSMMU and world famous cardiologist Dr Devi Shethi and the Singaporean specialist doctors appreciated its treatment.”

Earlier, the information minister inaugurated a joint venture movie of Bangladesh and India ‘Jodi Ekdin’ at the cine-complex of Bashundhara City Complex in the city.

In the opening speech, Hasan said many producers and directors are making films which the people can enjoy along with their family members.

He urged the film producers and directors to make movies with patriotic motifs so that those can play effective roles in developing the nation along with providing entertainment.

Hasan also urged the people to come to the cinema halls to enjoy films to encourage the media parsons to make better movies in future.

Film director Md Mostafa Kamal also spoke in the function.