A book written by late Jamaat-e-Islami leader Barrister Abdur Razzaq, titled Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami: Its History and Politics, has been published posthumously.

Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman was among the speakers at the book launch held at a hotel in the capital on Friday.

Professor Ali Riaz, distinguished professor at Illinois State University; Kamal Ahmed, consulting editor of The Daily Star; and Professor Dilara Chowdhury, a former faculty member of Jahangirnagar University, also spoke at the event.

Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman said Jamaat-e-Islami indirectly accepted its role in the 1971 Liberation War by not voting against an amendment to the National Freedom Fighters Council Act that retained the party’s name in the legal definition.

He said this was essentially the same issue Razzaq had sought to address through a draft statement in 2016.

He said many of the questions surrounding Jamaat’s role in the Liberation War could have been resolved if the party had accepted a draft statement prepared by Razzaq in 2016 acknowledging and addressing its role in 1971.

He described Razzaq’s proposal as “far-sighted”.

“If Razzaq’s statement had been signed in 2016, many questions about Jamaat would have been resolved,” the minister said.

Razzaq’s book recounts his efforts to persuade Jamaat’s leadership to reconsider its position on the party’s role in opposing Bangladesh’s independence. In November 2016, he prepared a draft statement that included an apology for Jamaat’s role in 1971, but the party did not adopt it.

Recalling his relationship with Razzaq, the minister said the two had significant ideological differences but maintained a close personal relationship.

He said Razzaq’s advice had helped him during difficult political periods.

“Especially during the time of fascism, Razzaq’s guidance was like a light showing me the way,” he said.

The minister also recalled that when the BNP appointed him as its human rights secretary, Razzaq had described the decision as “one of the most progressive steps” taken by the party.

He also criticised senior Jamaat leaders and Supreme Court lawyers associated with the party for not attending the event.

“I expected them to be here in today’s discussion. If they could not attend, it shows their weakness. It is their failure. It shows their narrowness and limitations,” he said.

Professor Ali Riaz said the book should not be viewed solely in the context of Jamaat’s position on 1971 or its internal reform efforts.

Instead, he said, the book raises broader questions about Jamaat’s ideological position, including its views on sovereignty.

Riaz said Razzaq appeared to recognise risks associated with an ideological state, including the possibility of political instability and authoritarianism.

He also pointed out Razzaq’s discussion of Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood, saying the book did not sufficiently address the distinction between the two parties as Brotherhood didn't go against the national liberation movement of Egypt.

Kamal Ahmed referred to an episode in Razzaq’s book concerning an internal debate over Jamaat’s possible apology for its role in 1971.

According to Ahmed, a senior Jamaat leader had said, “if we apologise, Pakistan will be displeased”.

Ahmed questioned whether the remark indicated that Jamaat’s politics was dependent on Pakistan and said the party should clarify its position.

He also highlighted the book’s account of the political relationship between the Awami League and Jamaat during the 1980s and 1990s.

Professor Dilara Chowdhury described the book as “eye-opening”, saying it had given her a deeper understanding of Jamaat’s politics.

Earlier, Razzaq’s two sons, Barrister Imran Abdullah Siddiq and Barrister Ehsan Abdullah Siddiq, spoke about their father and the book.

They said Razzaq wrote the book to pass his ideas on to the next generation.

Mahrukh Mohiuddin, managing director of University Press Limited, inaugurated the programme.