"The Jamaat-e-Islami is the oldest Islamist political party in the sub continent. The party has carried out several positive works. These include: (i) they have demonstrated that Islam is a complete code of life, it is a prac tical system, and it is the best way of life; (ii) they have enabled themselves in making the youths and the educated people understand these facts about Islam; (iii) they have largely motivated people for Islamic economy, educa tion, and so on; (iv) they have succeeded in building awareness amongst the people on the existing superstitions in the society, such as worshipping persons, pirs, and grave. Side by side, Jahangir continues, Several errors can be traced all along in the politics of the Jamaat-c-Islami: (i) they have designated politics as jihad. This was first done by Maulana Mawdudi; (ii) they have made a serious error by reducing the meaning of the concept of ckamat-e-deen (establishment of religion) to the establish ment of an Islamic state; (iii) the party has compromised its ideology and concentrated more on power-politics and made alliances with the secular parties and people for power; and (iv) during the liberation war the Jamaat supported and took arms for what it had earlier termed a "non-Muslim tagudi [tyrant] government." This was their biggest mistake.... Yes, the ulama also supported Pakistan because they loved Pakistan. They were obsessed with the spirit of the creation of Pakistan in 1947. In 1971, still they remembered this glorious event. However, [during the liberation war] they did not organize people for Pakistan and actively take part in the military effort to preserve the integrity of the country. They just gave passive support.... The lust for power demonstrated by the Jamaat proves that they have deviated from their original ideological stance that the secularists will not promote Islam; instead, a group of highly Islamized people should attain power to properly serve the cause of Islam. But the party became the part of power by the help of the secularists. This is their ideological deviation. This trend still continues. What Jamaat considers development; it is, in fact, underdevelopment. In our society, merely 10-15% people are namazi-deendar [practicing Muslims). But, the Jamaat, having shared power with the BNP, gives the world a message that the Islamists take over and Bangladesh is on the verge of becoming a Taliban state. So, at any cost, Jamaat will have to be crushed. For example, you have power of 10kgs, you showed 100kgs. Your opponent hit you with 60kgs, but you have only 10kgs. You will be definitely crushed. Because of this, it is better for the Islamists to influence and pressurize the secularists in power at least so long as they do not attain power unilaterally. Jamaat did not raise voice against the alleged corruption during the four-party alliance government (2001-2006), rather they silently supported it. This is a clear deviation from their ideological standpoint. Those who do politics in the name of Islam, they have to take Islamic ideology into full consideration. Islamic politics is ideological politics. Islamic politics is not just a passport to power."