Members of Hizb ut-Tahrir delivered public speeches after Jummah prayers today outside various mosques across Dhaka, Sylhet and Chittagong. The speakers addressed the musallis on the topic of "Speaking the Word of Haqq against Tyrant Rulers is a Duty demanded by the Muslims' Iman." The speakers said the rulers who rule in the Muslim world today clearly violate the obligations and responsibilities of the ruler as defined by Islam. They said Islam has clarified the obligations and responsibilities of the ruler in the Qur'an and the Sunnah; in general terms they are:
1. To rule by what Allah (swt) has revealed in internal and external affairs;
2. To act as the guardian of the people and look after their affairs; and
3. To protect the Ummah from her enemies and defend her interests.

The speakers said the current rulers in Bangladesh are no different from the current rulers in rest of the Muslim world. For the past 40 years the Awami-BNP rulers have rejected Allah's commands and prohibitions; and have ruled the country by the abhorrent, man made democratic system borrowed from the disbelievers. They have not been satisfied with failing to look after the people's affairs and secure their basic needs; rather went beyond that to sucking the blood of the people for successive decades, looting the Ummah's wealth and handing over Ummah's wealth to their disbeliever-polytheist masters. Not only that, the Awami-BNP rulers allied with the disbeliever-polytheist states, US-Britain-India; and failed to resist their conspiracies and aggression against the country. This is how these rulers have betrayed Allah (swt), His Messenger (saw) and the Muslims.
From the day one of taking power Sheikh Hasina and her government has acted against the Qur'an, the Sunnah and the Ummah. They collaborated with India in the killing of army officers in Pilkhana to destroy the country's defence forces; granted transit to India; consolidated the foothold of the killers of Muslims, and mass murderers, the US and Indian militaries in the country; adopted policies against Qur'an-Sunnah; and directed a crusade against Islamic policies. Indeed the list of the heinous crimes of the Hasina government is endless.
The speakers reminded the musallis that speaking the word of haqq against the current kufr ruling system and the treacherous, tyrant rulers is a duty demanded by the Muslims' iman. Muhammad (saw) said,
"The best Jihad is (to say) a word of truth before an oppressor ruler."
He (saw) also said,
"The master of martyrs is Hamza b. Abdul Muttalib and a man who stood to an oppressor ruler where he ordered him and forbade him, so he (the ruler) killed him."
These ahadith are clear and decisive statements regarding the obligation upon Muslims to order the ruler with good, restrain him from evil, speak the word of truth against him and account him strongly. In fact Muhammad (saw) has described this work as the best Jihad.
Finally the speakers called upon the Muslims to fulfil this noble duty; otherwise they will have to face the wrath and punishment of Allah (swt) for remaining silent against the kufr ruling system and tyrant rulers. The Prophet (saw) said,
"The people when they see the tyrant and do not restrain his hands, Allah will be about to punish them all."
Media Office of Hizb ut-Tahrir
Wilayah Bangladesh

HTI PRESS-Around 200 women of Muslimah Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia filled the Welcome Monument in Hotel Indonesia circle on Monday afternoon, 18th April 2011. They protested the rule legislated by French government and other Europe countries to ban wearing the Burqa (veil) in front of the public. This protest took the theme "Muslim Women sue the criminalization of Islamic sharia. The rule on banning the burqa gives a sanction such as fine and jail sentence for those who break the rule.
Mrs. Ishmah Cholil, a member of central executive council of Muslimah Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia in her oration said, "The ban of burqa by French government showed its hatred and unwillingness of the kuffar to Islam and its ummah. As Allah said in Al Quran that until the end of time the kuffar won't be willing to Islam."
Another orator, Mrs. Purnamasari explained that by the excuse of progression and freedom, The West lead women, including muslim women, to show their body or beauty off to the public. This is the way how the West achieve its goal to gain profit for Capitalism interest. "The spreading of fashion industry and cosmetics have deceived women and made them fall into capitalist's grip. It's all will not happen if there were a Khalifah (the leader of muslim ummah) who will protect the honor of women", she confirmed.
Whilst, Mrs. Rahma Qomariah, speak loudly to the protesters and to the people who watch the protest, that human rights doesn't take side to protect women' honor. It obviosly stands up for humiliation by protecting the women who show off their bodies. It is only Islam as comprehensive idealogy could honor women becauce Islam protects the dignity of women and elevates their degree. Accordingly, only by establish Daulah Khilafah "Caliphate" Islamiyah, the honor of women could be reached.
In her press release, the spokewoman for Muslimah Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia, Mrs. Iffah Ainur Rohmah appraised that the ban of burqa is a kind criminalization to Islamic sharia and it also shows the West fear of the enthusiasm in implementing Islamic sharia in the its countries which are known secular. The ban of burqa shows the failure of Democracy and secularism in giving guarantee for the freedom of practicing religion teaching in society. It also proves The West fear of islamic ideas spreading in the middle of the West society. She also confirmed, "Democracy, liberalism, and secularism are the heretical ideas which solely promoting bad behavior. Therefore, to keep ummah rights to practice Islamic sharia and to protect ummah from Islam's enemies which try to restrain ummah from Islam, we need the political institution, a state, which is able to nurture the sharia implementation comprehensively, that is Daulah Khilafah "Caliphate"" Islamiyah.
The protesters showed some posters written: "The Ban of Burqa, the Proof of Secularism-Democracy Failure"; "French: The Obedient Muslim Women are punished, The Porn Women Are Protected"; Only Islam Honor and Bring Welfare to Women"; "Capitalism-Democracy Failed, Sharia and Khilafah "Caliphate" Replacing"; "Democracy: The Way of Criminalization toward Islamic Sharia". The protest done by Muslimah Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia concerned to voice the establishment of Islamic Sharia under the institution of Khilafah "Caliphate" Islamiyah.

Definition of Dividend: A bonus. An unexpected gain or benefit.

What will the just concluded elections in Nigeria be remembered for? The post election violence in parts of the country which left up to 500 dead, 740,000 displaced and Churches and Mosques burnt? The logistical shambles that lead to it being postponed for a week? Or that a new president has been elected? For different people, it will be some or all of the above. However, for most common people struggling to survive in Africa's largest exporter of oil, and a country blessed with innumerable natural resources, few have much conviction that these elections will improve their lot. Afterall, the last two ‘democratic' elections have not delivered. Yes, some things have changed. The press is freer, people no longer live under a military dictatorship, most people have a mobile phone and a tiny section of society has grown fabulously rich. Yet chronic lack of electric power cripples business and many other aspects of life. Indeed, many would argue that their economic and security situation has worsened.

What about the ‘Democratic dividend'? The promise that the return to democratic rule 12 years ago would herald a new dawn for the people of Nigeria. What has clearly been created is a large and wealthy political class of ministers, governors, senators, and advisers at a local and national level. These have grown rich and enjoy all manners of privilege so much so that election to one of these bodies has become a do or die issue because it guarantees wealth and privilege for one's family, friends and contacts. The common man sees his affairs largely neglected by the state and has to accept this because "that is democracy" and is told that the democratic dividend will occur someday i.e. that by adopting democracy, society will one day reap the benefits of better public services, security, better infrastructure, end to corruption, eradication of poverty, better electricity e.tc. When will this be delivered? No one seems to know for sure, though politicians promise it will be soon!

This has lead some to conclude that since their situation worsened so much under democratic rule, then maybe it has something to do with their worsening situation. Many do not appreciate the fact that democracy and the right it gives legislators to be all powerful in drafting laws which influence and affect peoples lives has lead to a do or die for these posts, exacerbated religious, ethnic and regional tensions when "our candidate" doesn't win. Nor do they appreciate the masses disenfranchisement with democracy and the political classes in Europe and other ‘mature' democracies where many now fail to vote or engage with the political system which they see as benefiting only the few.

After the departure of Ben Ali and Hosni Mubarak and as elections approach in Egypt and Tunisia, there is an understandable debate about what system of government to adopt going forward. Some voices look to the West and advocate Western democracy and secularism arguing that it is the only way to guarantee the rights of Christians and women or the only way for the masses to have a political voice, accountable government or a general improvement in their standard of living. Again, the assumption is that there will be a ‘democratic dividend' which will benefit all in society. We need to remind such people of the recent example of Nigeria, Pakistan or Bangladesh. In Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina is running a police state that is imprisoning and terrorising political opponents though she was "democratically elected". Her government has failed to address the chronic poverty, unemployment or lack of infrastructure and continues to collaborate with India and other hostile powers to the detriment of the people of Bangladesh.

The ‘democratic' government of Pakistan headed by Prime Minister Gilani and President Zardari facilitate US drone attacks that kill people in Pakistan. In most societies that is called treason, but the West supports this treacherous government because it is a ‘democracy' which serves the agenda of western powers whatever the cost.

So in the current debates, not only can we highlight how secularism and democracy contradict the Islamic values, belief and history of the people in the Muslim world, we can also point to Nigeria, Pakistan and Bangladesh to show how the ‘democratic dividend' is a myth that fails to deliver much of what it promises.

Now is the time to tackle the many issues being raised by people during these uprisings: unemployment, end to the police state, lack of dignity, enslavement to Western powers, denial of a political voice, arbitrary arrest and imprisonment, unelected rulers e.t.c. and show how the Islamic Khilafah "Caliphate" system addresses these many issues and is the only system capable of truly addressing the needs of all people. Brothers and sisters have started to produce a series of videos illustrating how the Islamic Khilafah "Caliphate" system addresses these specific issues. We pray to Allah (swt) that these will be another set of tools that help to build conviction in this system sent down by our All Knowing Lord (swt).

وَنَزَّلْنَا عَلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ تِبْيَانًا لِّكُلِّ شَيْءٍ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةً وَبُشْرَى لِلْمُسْلِمِينَ
"And We have sent down to thee the Book explaining all things, a Guide, a Mercy, and Glad Tidings to Muslims [TMQ An-Nahl 16:89]

Taji Mustafa
UK Media Representative of Hizb ut-Tahrir

Hizb ut-Tahrir has begun a country wide protest at the arrests, inhuman torture and long sentencing of members of Hizb ut-Tahrir in Tajikistan, including delegations to lawyers and human rights organizations. As yet another step, Hizb ut-Tahrir Wilayah Pakistan held a protest outside the Tajikistan embassy. Protest banners proclaimed, "O Tajik Traitor Rulers! Persecution of Hizb ut-Tahrir will not prevent the establishment of the Khilafah "Caliphate"" and "Hear this O Tajik Rulers! Khilafh will account you for your oppression." This comes within a week of a delegation to the First Secretary by Imran Yusufzai, the Deputy to the Spokesman of Hizb ut-Tahrir in Pakistan, wherein a letter of protest was handed over for the Tajikistan government. The letter gave details of the baseless arrests, brutal torture and long sentencing and severely protested against the Tajik government for its lowly conduct and was to be passed on to the government, to which the First Secretary committed. Hizb ut-Tahrir appeals to the Media to raise its voice against the Tajikistan government brutal persecution of the callers for Khilafah "Caliphate", the members of Hizb ut-Tahrir.