Abu Jakir :
In the wake of Sheikh Hasina’s ousting on August 5, following a student-led uprising, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami is experiencing its most favourable political climate since the country’s Liberation War in 1971.
For years, Jamaat-e-Islami, an Islamist political party, was repressed, particularly by the Awami League, which viewed the party’s pro-Islamic ideology as a threat. Accusations of persecution included imprisonment, torture, and extrajudicial killings, with Jamaat claiming their opposition to the ruling government’s policies made them a target.
After enduring years of suppression, Jamaat has witnessed a resurgence. With the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government, which Jamaat members have referred to as “autocratic,” the party is now free to organise and mobilise without interference for the first time in decades. Insiders report that party leaders and members are conducting public meetings and are focused on fortifying their political base to take advantage of this newfound freedom.
In a public statement, Jamaat Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman praised the student movement that led to Hasina’s ousting, thanking the youth for freeing the country from what he described as a corrupt and oppressive regime. “We are now happy because our motherland has been freed from corrupt individuals and oppressors.
Our primary focus is on strengthening our organisation,” Rahman said. He highlighted the significance of this moment for Jamaat to revive its structure and expand its influence.
Dr Rezaul Karim, Secretary of Jamaat’s Dhaka North City Unit, shared similar views, noting that the fall of Hasina’s government marked a pivotal moment for the party. “Alhamdulillah, thanks to Almighty Allah for everything, especially for the fall of the Hasina government, which looted the people’s money and imposed a reign of terror for the past 15 years,” Karim remarked. He stressed that Jamaat can now work freely towards its vision of creating a just society.
Jamaat’s origins date back to its founding in 1941 by Abul A’la Maududi. Following Bangladesh’s independence in 1971, the party was banned for its collaboration with Pakistan during the Liberation War but was later revived after the military coup in 1975. Although Jamaat was a major political player in the 1980s and allied with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) during Khaleda Zia’s tenure, the party faced significant backlash under Sheikh Hasina’s rule. Jamaat’s registration was cancelled in 2013, and in 2024, the party was fully banned by the Hasina administration.
However, the interim government reversed this ban on August 28, 2024, following the fall of Hasina’s government. Since then, Jamaat has resumed its organisational activities and is focused on rebuilding its political base across the country. During a recent Central Executive Council meeting, Jamaat’s Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman stressed the importance of the party playing an active role in the nation’s reconstruction after the collapse of the previous government.
For the first time in 13 years, Jamaat’s top leadership was able to meet formally, marking a historic moment for the party. Rahman took the opportunity to criticise the previous Awami League government for its treatment of opposition figures and its dismantling of democratic institutions. “Jamaat has been the most significant victim of this oppression,” he stated, reaffirming the party’s dedication to rebuilding the country’s democratic framework.
As Bangladesh’s political landscape continues to shift, Jamaat’s leaders view this as a crucial opportunity to regain their footing and promote their vision of an Islamic governance system. The party’s future will depend on how effectively it navigates this transitional post-Hasina period, but for now, Jamaat enjoys a freedom it has not experienced in over four decades.