NN Online:
Jamaat-e-Islami has termed its upcoming official visit to China as “significant for both Jamaat and Bangladesh,” as a high-level delegation led by party Amir Dr Shafiqur Rahman heads to Beijing at the invitation of the Chinese government.
Party Secretary General Professor Mia Golam Parwar told reporters Wednesday that the nine-member delegation will meet with Chinese institutions and organizations to explore avenues of cooperation. The visit coincides with the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh-China diplomatic ties.
The delegation’s departure follows a reception hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Dhaka on Tuesday, where Ambassador Yao Wen and Dr Rahman addressed guests, emphasizing stronger bilateral relations.
This is Jamaat’s second official tour to China, following a 2024 visit led by Nayeb-e-Amir Dr Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher, which included leaders from Jamaat, its student wing, and other Islamic parties.
The visit also comes amid increased Chinese outreach to Bangladeshi political parties, including several recent visits by BNP delegations. Observers say China’s engagement with Jamaat signals a strategic interest in Bangladesh’s evolving political landscape.
Recently reinstated by the Supreme Court after a decade-long ban, Jamaat is actively working to rebrand itself, with Dr Rahman advocating for reforms and an “Islamic welfare state.” On June 25, he issued a public apology for the party’s past, including its stance during the 1971 Liberation War.
Meanwhile, the visit has raised eyebrows in India, where officials reportedly view Beijing’s outreach to Jamaat as “unusual” and politically calculated.
As Bangladesh prepares for national elections, Jamaat’s diplomatic push in China underscores its attempt to reclaim political relevance and expand its regional and international alliances.
