Jamaat pledges ‘New Bangladesh’ rooted in justice
Staff Reporter :
At a massive rally held at Dhaka’s historic Suhrawardy Udyan on Saturday, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami chief Dr Shafiqur Rahman delivered an impassioned address, framing his party’s political agenda as a national movement against corruption and injustice.
“This time, our struggle is against corruption,” declared Shafiqur, who spoke while seated after collapsing twice during the event. “We will do whatever it takes to uproot it – with the strength of the youth and the will of the people.”
The gathering, estimated to have drawn tens of thousands of supporters-many waving party flags and chanting religious slogans – was the party’s largest since the political transition that followed the fall of the Awami League government in 2024.
The event blended elements of political mobilisation, religious fervour, and remembrance for those Jamaat describes as martyrs of last year’s protests.
Positioning himself as a voice of the people rather than solely a political leader, Shafiqur said, “I appear before you not just as Jamaat’s leader, but as one of this country’s 180 million citizens -a friend to children, a brother to the youth, and a companion to the elderly. I stand for their liberation.”
Throughout his 40-minute speech, the Jamaat chief invoked what he termed the “July War” – a series of nationwide protests in 2024 that led to the ousting of the long-standing government and resulted in significant casualties.
“Those who seek to return Bangladesh to a failed and corrupt system must first bring back those who lost their lives in July,” he said. “They cannot. That is why a new Bangladesh must be built.”
Despite showing signs of physical exhaustion and receiving medical attention on stage, Shafiqur delivered a speech marked by strong moral rhetoric. Jamaat’s media wing later confirmed that he was stable and had been taken to hospital following the event.
He laid out a vision of a future government led by Jamaat-e-Islami, pledging transparency and integrity in public office. “No MP or minister under our government will accept state land or tax-free vehicles,” he said.
“All public funds will be accounted for to every citizen after project completion. Extortion and corruption will not be tolerated – neither by us, nor by anyone else.”
Shafiqur outlined a governance model rooted in strict accountability and Islamic moral principles, rejecting personal privileges for politicians.
“We are not here to rule-we are here to serve,” he declared. “This is not a movement for a privileged class, but for rickshaw-pullers, street cleaners, and farmers.”
A physician by profession and a former political detainee, Shafiqur spoke of personal sacrifice, saying he bore no regret for his time in prison.
“My only regret is not being among those martyred in 2024,” he said, requesting prayers that he may be accepted as a martyr in future struggles.
He also demanded justice for decades of political violence and repression, citing the events of October 28, 2006; the 2013 Hefazat crackdown at Shapla Chattar; enforced disappearances under the Awami League government; and the casualties of the 2024 anti-government movement.
“There can be no lasting peace until meaningful steps are taken towards justice,” he said.
In a striking critique of Bangladesh’s political culture, he urged restraint and dignity in political discourse.
“Let us not speak with mockery or contempt. If we cannot control our tongues, then the disease of fascism still lives within us,” he warned.
Shafiqur closed his address by honouring the memory of recently deceased party members, including Mawlana Abu Sayeed of Khulna and senior leader Mustafa Fizur Rahman of Pabna. “Their sacrifice was not in vain,” he said.
“They died for the freedom of this nation.” He ended with a call to religious unity, shouting “Naraye Taqbir” as the crowd responded in unison: “Allah-u-Akbar.”