Jamaat-e-Islami Amir Shafiqur Rahman has claimed that if his party returns to power, it will not impose compulsory burqa-wearing on women. Speaking at a civic rally in Mirpur on Tuesday night, organized by Jamaat’s Dhaka Metropolitan North Peshajibi Parishad, he said Jamaat would “ensure dignity and respect” for women and allow them to participate in nation-building “according to their abilities,” despite the party’s long history of controlling women’s rights and mobility.
During the event, he urged voters to act “according to conscience” in the upcoming election and said Jamaat would accept whoever wins through a fair vote. He claimed that a future Jamaat government would prioritize education and health, address corruption, ensure equal opportunities, and implement what he described as “radical changes” in governance and the economy.
Shafiqur Rahman used the rally to criticize the Awami League, arguing that its post-2024 plan to remain in power until 2041 had collapsed. He referenced last year’s political violence and framed Jamaat as a party that “did not flee,” part of its continued effort to rehabilitate its political image after years of public scrutiny and legal restrictions.
He also said that Bangladesh’s past elections failed to deliver welfare or freedom to the people and that a “meaningful and fair” election is essential. Jamaat, he added, is preparing for such an election and urged political actors to avoid character attacks and the use of money to influence voters.
Shafiqur Rahman closed by outlining Jamaat’s stated priorities: rejecting corruption, extremism, and injustice while building a state centered on social justice, balanced economic development, and youth leadership. His remarks come as Jamaat attempts to regain political space and reshape its public positioning ahead of national elections.
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