Since it is the holy month of Ramadan, the parties do not have much political program. Leaders of like-minded parties are meeting and discussing with each other in the Iftar program. Since the beginning of Ramadan, various political parties including BNP, Jamaat, and the newly formed Jatiya Nagorik Party have been organizing Iftar mahfils. Through these arrangements, they have chosen the month of Ramadan as a month of mass communication.

A review of the Iftar mahfils has shown that the similarities and differences between BNP and Jamaat on various issues after the mass uprising are being revealed in the speeches and statements of the leaders of the two parties. Even then, Jamaat leaders are seen at BNP’s Iftar and BNP leaders at Jamaat’s Iftar. The leaders sit at the same table and break their fast.

BNP: On the first day of Ramadan, BNP breaks its fast with orphans, ulema, and mashaykhs at the Ladies Club in Eskaton in the capital. Then on March 6, BNP held an iftar with foreign diplomats working in Dhaka at Hotel Westin. The messages of organizing the party, making demands, being vigilant and being dedicated to democracy are being given to the leaders and activists at the iftar mahfil.

Jamaat: After a long decade, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami held an iftar with diplomats working in Dhaka at Hotel Westin in Gulshan on March 9. Then on March 15, national leaders at the Bangladesh-China Friendship International Conference Center. Meanwhile, on March 11, the National Citizens Party-NCP held an iftar mahfil with anti-fascist politicians, students and workers, ulema and prominent citizens at the Ruposhi Bangla Grand Ballroom of the Intercontinental Hotel in the capital.