Jagrata Muslim Janata Bangladesh (Awakened Muslim Masses of Bangladesh) or JMJB is a radical Islamic vigilante organization mostly active in the north-western section of Bangladesh around the Rajshahi region.<br /><P>JMJB was founded in 1998 with aspirations of creating an Islamic state based on Sharia (Islamic Law) by way of an Islamic revolution. It claims it has "no links to any foreign organization," however, its ideals are similar to the radical Islamic organization al-Qaeda and many of its members were former Mujahideen who fought alongside Osama Bin Laden (al-Qaeda leader) in Afghanistan.<br /><P>Jagrata Muslim Janata Bangladesh (JMJB) is a well structured organization. It has divided Bangladesh into nine organizational divisions with a divisional office in each. The highest decision -- making body is the seven-member Majlish-e-Shura (Islamic law council). The top-ranking officials are Maulana Abdur Rahman and Siddiqul Islam, more recently known by his nom de guerre Bangla Bhai. Maulana Abdur Rahman is the Amir "chief" and spiritual leader. The more notorious Bangla Bhai is the commander of the anti-Sarbahara (leftist outlaws) campaign and member of the Majlish-e-Shura.<br /><P>Membership is divided in to three categories: Ehsar-fulltime activists who act on the directives of higher echelons, Gayeri Ehsar-comprised of part-time activists, and a third tier which involves people from all sections who indirectly cooperate with JMJB. The group claims to have a total of 300,000 members worldwide including 10,000 Ehsars (fulltime activists) in the region.<br /><P>This organization came into the public eye on April 1, 2004 with the murder of an alleged member of the Purbo Banglar Communist Party (PBCP). The PBCP is a left-wing extremist group in direct opposition to the JMJB agenda to "Talibanize" Bangladesh. The JMJB opposes democracy and the prevailing political system in Bangladesh, which it considers sacrilegious. It is currently targeting political opponents primarily from the Purbo Banglar Communist Party (PBCP) and the group has stated that they will continue until Bangladesh has been "swept clean" of all left-wing extremists.<br />