Women can’t lead Jamaat, Shafique to Al Jazeera

Staff Reporter :

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman has said that women cannot become the head of the party, citing what he described as divinely ordained differences between men and women.

In an interview with Al Jazeera, when asked whether a woman could lead Jamaat-e-Islami, Dr Shafiqur replied, “That is not possible. Allah has created everyone with distinct roles. Men cannot bear children, nor can they breastfeed.

These are natural differences given by God, and we cannot alter what Allah has created.”

He further said that these biological differences underpin distinctions between men and women.

Speaking about women’s participation in elections, the Jamaat chief said the party did not nominate any female candidates in the last parliamentary polls. “Not a single woman contested on our behalf in the parliamentary election.

However, we are preparing for that. Our women members have already contested and won in local government elections, and we are working towards participation in parliamentary elections in the future as well,” he said.

Dr Shafiqur also remarked that the low number of women candidates is not unique to Jamaat.

“You will not see a significant number of women candidates in other parties either. This is largely a cultural reality in Bangladesh. Still, we are gradually preparing for greater participation,” he added.

During the interview, the journalist questioned Jamaat’s position, pointing out that women have served as prime ministers in Bangladesh, a country of around 170 million people.

“It’s interesting that you say women cannot lead an organisation, yet they can lead an entire country. Clearly, women are capable of leadership,” the journalist said.

In response, Dr Shafiqur Rahman argued, “Even in most countries around the world, this has not been considered feasible. That is the global reality.”

When the journalist countered by noting that many countries have had women leaders, including Bangladesh, the Jamaat chief replied, “Only a few countries.”

The discussion later shifted to Jamaat-e-Islami’s past political alliance with the BNP, during which Begum Khaleda Zia served as prime minister.

Asked whether he believed Khaleda Zia performed well in office, Dr Shafiqur said, “That is not for us to decide. It is a matter for her party.”