BNP-Jamaat Activists Feast on Mutton Sent by Saudi Government for the Needy

Staff Correspondent

Former Upazila BNP convener Nurul Alam Sikder has been accused of organizing a feast for the needy in Companiganj Upazila of Noakhali by embezzling cartons of sacrificial lamb meat from Saudi Arabia. Leaders and activists of the Jamaat-e-Islami in the area also joined him.

The feast was organized at Harun’s tea shop in front of the Madhya Mushapur Islamic Social Welfare Council office in Mushapur Ward No. 1 on Wednesday night, October 29. Although the incident was not widely discussed at the time, widespread criticism began yesterday when its video went viral on social media.

According to eyewitnesses, BNP leader Nurul Alam Sikder, Madhya Musapur Islami Samaj Kalyan Parishad president and Jamaat leader Amir Hossain, Jubo Dal leader Abdul Halim Sohel, Sramik Dal leader Jasim Uddin and 20-25 others were present at the banquet. Local Jamaat-Shibir workers were also among them. Sramik Dal leader Jasim is seen giving a speech in the video.

Local sources said that on Tuesday, October 28, during the distribution among the needy at the Companiganj Upazila Parishad premises, Nurul Alam Sikder took a carton with his signature in the name of Madhya Musapur Islamic Social Welfare Council. The carton contained 30 kg of lamb meat in 10 packets.

A total of 22 cartons were allocated in the upazila, out of which 21 were distributed to orphanages. Nurul Alam Sikder took the remaining carton. Later, on Wednesday night, he cooked it and organized a feast with his workers.

When asked about this, Amir Hossain, president of the Jamaat-e-Islami-backed organization Islami Samaj Kalyan Parishad, and general secretary Abdul Halim Sohel claimed that they did not receive any meat. However, vice-president Harunur Rashid Harun said that BNP leader Nurul Alam Sikder gave him two packets of meat and said, “We will cook it and eat it together.”

Regarding the allegations, BNP leader Nurul Alam Sikder claimed that the organization is not supported by Jamaat-e-Islami. However, he is in charge as an advisor to the organization and only two packets of meat were kept with Harun, a shopkeeper in front of the organization’s office. He claimed that several leaders of BNP and Jamaat also took the meat from that carton.

Companiganj Upazila Executive Officer Tanvir Farhad Shamim said, “Nurul Alam Sikder has accepted a carton of 10 packets of lamb meat in the name of Madhya Musapur Islamic Social Welfare Council under his own signature. Whether the leaders of the political parties have taken the meat allocated for the needy or not, action will be taken as per the rules.”