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Motiur Rahman Nizami (Bengali: মতিউর রহমান নিজামী) is the current chief, or Ameer of the Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh, which is the largest Islamic political party in Bangladesh. Nizami was also the former minister for industries in the previous government (2001 - 2006) led by prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party.

Jamaat activist and war crimes

Nizami rose in the ranks of the Jamaat-e-Islami in East Pakistan in the 1960s. At the onset of the Bangladesh Liberation War, Nizami supported the Pakistan Army against Bengali nationalists. He organised and headed the Al-Badr militia, which aided the Pakistani forces in repressing nationalist insurgency as well carrying out reprisals against Bengali civilians. Nizami is accused of having drawn up hit lists of prominent pro-independence intellectuals and Hindus, many of whom disappeared during 1971 never to be found, and others who were later found dead. Nizami has never denied his opposition to the creation of Bangladesh. Following the defeat of Pakistani forces, Nizami moved to Pakistan.

Political career

Under the rule of Ziaur Rahman, top Jamaat leaders such as Golam Azam and Nizami returned to Bangladesh in 1978 and revived the Jamaat party. Nizami emerged as a key national leader of the Jamaat, organising the Islami Chhatra Shibir (Muslim Students Organisation), which serves as the youth wing of the Jamaat. Nizami took over as Jamaat chief from Golam Azam in 2003. Nizami himself has been accused in the media of having encouraged terrorist activities in Bangladesh.

See also

• Jamaat-e-Islami
• Maulana Maududi
• Bangladesh Liberation War
• Bangladesh Nationalist Party
• Islam in Bangladesh

External links

• Daily Star report
• AsiaMedia report

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