BNP believes in religious beliefs and rituals, but it also does not support fanaticism in the name of religion, said the party’s Senior Joint Secretary General Emran Saleh Prince on Thursday.

Speaking at a party programme in Haluaghat of Mymensingh, he blasted a “subtle disinformation campaign” being carried out against BNP by a controversial anti-independence party.

Refuting rumours centring BNP’s religious stance, Prince said just because BNP is a liberal party, it does not mean the party is anti-Islamic. Rather, BNP believes that continuous and free practice of Islamic culture and beliefs will not only ensure ethics, peace and stability in the society, but also safety and well-being for people from all other religious groups.

BNP believes in honouring religious freedom and opinions of all people, and is working towards these ends.

BNP’s founder, Martyred President Ziaur Rahman, added “Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim” (In the name of Almighty Allah) at the very beginning of the constitution to honour the sentiments of the country’s Muslim majority.

Ziaur Rahman also altered the preamble and relevant clause in the constitution’s main body, replacing the secularism as one of the four high ideals of the state, with the expression: “Absolute Trust and Faith in Almighty Allah.”

These changes to the constitution made by the BNP founder cemented the party’s position as against anti-Islamic practices, Prince said, adding the party would never adopt anti-Islamic policies.

He hinted to an article on BBC Bangla concerning Jamaat-e-Islami, saying the Islamic party has adopted double standards. Jamaat talks about introducing the Sharia laws in Bangladesh, but denies making any public calls in this regard to win the favour of a neighbouring country, Prince alleged.

Prince said that if he is voted as a lawmaker from the Mymensingh-1 constituency, he would push for mosque-centric legislations. Prince would work to pass laws regulating salaries for Imams, Muazzins and Khadems; bolster their salary structure; and make electric supply free for all mosques. BNP would adopt measures in this regard gradually, he added.