Speakers at public meetings organized by Hizb ut Tahrir today outside mosques in Dhaka, Chittagong and Sylhet said the Hasina government's decision to sign the Trade and Investment Co-operation Framework Agreement (TICFA) with the United States is against the interests of the country and contradicts Islam. Sheikh Hasina approved the signing of the agreement at a cabinet meeting on 17^th June (2013). After the decision, the Cabinet Secretary commented that trade and investment related issues will be settled through discussions in the Council to be set up under the agreement. Speakers said essentially this means that after it's signing TICFA will be a US policy tool whereby they will formally dictate all business, industry and investment related policies of Bangladesh. US business and investment proposals will get priority in Bangladesh. Bangladesh will be forced to source major products and services from USA and pay huge sums in royalties to US corporations. In cases of crimes like Occidental's burning the country's gas worth millions of dollars, the Council will safeguard the interests of US corporations denying the rights of the Ummah.

Speakers said Hasina has pursued policies against Islam and disregarding Islam ever since she has come to power and therefore she did not hesitate in approving this agreement which contradicts Islam. Islam has provided detailed rules and conditions for international treaties. The Qur'an and the Sunnah do not permit any agreement which subordinates the Muslims to the disbelieving states and establishes their authority in Muslims lands. Allah (swt) says,

((وَلَنْ يَجْعَلَ اللَّهُ لِلْكَافِرِينَ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ سَبِيلاً))

"...And never will Allah allow the disbelievers a way (to dominate) over the believers." [Surah An-Nisa: 141]

According to Islam, international agreements must enhance the cause of Islam and the interests of the Ummah. Treaties that increase the strengths of the disbelievers are prohibited. Moreover treaties cannot be signed with an actual belligerent disbelieving state such as the crusader America which is engaged in war against Islam and the Muslims. Therefore, TICFA is a prohibited treaty from the point of view of Islam and Muslims have a duty to reject it.

Finally the speakers said both the Awami League and BNP are ready to do anything for power including shaking hands with criminal US governments whose hands are soaked with the blood of innocent Muslims. They urged all sincere Muslims to reject TICFA, reject the current corrupt ruling regime and work for establishing the Khilafah "Caliphate". Only the sincere leadership of the Khilafah "Caliphate" state guided by the Qur'an and the Sunnah will secure the interests of the Ummah.

The Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir

Wilayah Bangladesh