BNP standing committee member Salahuddin Ahmed today said their party will restore "absolute faith and trust in the Almighty Allah" in the constitution's preamble and in the fundamental principles of state policy if it returns to power.

"Our leader and martyred President Ziaur Rahman was the first to add 'Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim' to the constitution of Bangladesh. It is still there. Many tried to remove it, but they could not," he said while speaking at the International Khatme Nubuwwat Grand Council at Suhrawardy Udyan.

Salahuddin said Ziaur Rahman also included "full trust and faith in Almighty Allah" in the Constitution's preamble and in Article 8 of the fundamental principles of state policy.

"You know that it has been removed… Do you want us to restore it?... InshaAllah, we will restore it [if we are voted to power]," he told the large gathering.

The phrase 'absolute trust and faith in Almighty Allah' was added to the Constitution through the Fifth Amendment during Ziaur Rahman's rule, replacing "secularism" as a fundamental principle. But it was removed in the 15th Amendment in 2011, which reinstated secularism as a state principle, following a Supreme Court ruling that declared the Fifth Amendment illegal.

Referring to various demands raised at the gathering, including the demand to declare members of the Ahmadiyya community (often referred to as Qadianis) as non-Muslims, he said their party would take steps to address these demands by placing them in parliament.

"If Allah grants us the responsibility to run the state, and if the people support us, and if you all -- the Islamic scholars and alem-ulema -- help us, we will address your demands. The proposals raised here today will be discussed in parliament, and necessary legal steps will be taken," he added.

The BNP leader also urged political parties, Islamic scholars and citizens to remain united to materialise these demands.