Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, stated that national elections should be held either in February or April, taking into account the country’s weather and prevailing circumstances.
He made this comment on Saturday morning while addressing a conference of district and metropolitan Ameers of Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh at Al-Falah Auditorium in Dhaka's Moghbazar.
Dr. Rahman said that two timeframes are considered suitable—one being February, prior to the beginning of Ramadan. However, if within that period the ongoing reforms and visible processes of justice fail to gain public trust, then elections should not be delayed beyond April. He emphasized that the nation’s climate and overall context must be considered, as the end of February and two-thirds of March will coincide with Ramadan, making elections during that time impractical.
He further stated that if the reform initiatives underway are implemented sincerely and stakeholders provide the necessary cooperation, then elections within the government's announced timeline are possible. He questioned whether it is the downfall of fascism or merely the downfall of fascists that has taken place, adding that the nation has yet to conclude the painful chapters of its history.
The Jamaat Ameer remarked that such a joint conference had not been possible since April 2011. From 2009 to August 5, 2024, the Awami League and its allies ruled and exploited the country, he alleged. He said that various forms of oppression were inflicted, particularly upon opposition voices and Islamists. He claimed that at least three major massacres were carried out during this period.
The first, according to him, was the killing of 57 skilled and patriotic army officers at the then BDR headquarters in Pilkhana. The second took place on May 5, 2013, at Shapla Chattar, where, during a Hefazat-e-Islam rally, people were killed in total darkness after a deliberate power cut. The third occurred between mid-July and August 5, 2024, in which many were martyred and many others left permanently disabled.
He noted that after August 5, there was effectively no functioning government in the country. He said that Jamaat urged its members to remain calm and patient during this time and also appealed to the general public. He added that other political parties responded similarly. He pointed out that compared to what occurred in other countries during similar transitions, very little happened in Bangladesh
. He clarified that whatever did occur is not supported by Jamaat and reiterated their position against taking the law into their own hands. He insisted that justice must be sought through legal processes.
Dr. Rahman said that Jamaat members responded positively to this call. Even in areas where incidents took place, the party acted on principle rather than appearance. Following these events, efforts were made to reach out to the families of those martyred and injured.
He acknowledged that they could not do much for the injured but did what was within their capacity while continuing to apply pressure on the government. He also mentioned the flood situation in Feni, where Jamaat tried to remain active from the beginning, expressing gratitude to Allah if their efforts brought any comfort to those affected.
Stating that Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami is working to establish a welfare state, he acknowledged that while it may not always be possible to respond first to public suffering, the party is committed to doing its best.
Dr. Rahman emphasized that after the fall of the Awami League, Jamaat took steps to ensure law and order was maintained and to prevent any further violence. He said that their volunteer members were in the field for fifteen consecutive days, during which they protected the homes, religious institutions, and businesses of non-Muslims and others who sought help. He added that madrasa students and teachers also participated, and that individuals from other organizations were also seen assisting.
He reiterated the call for those involved in undesirable acts during this period to be brought to justice. Furthermore, he demanded legal accountability for those who, over the past fifteen and a half years, committed murder, enforced disappearances, killings, rape, and embezzled public funds abroad. He affirmed that Jamaat will continue its efforts until these demands are fulfilled and that those responsible must face the punishment they deserve.
He stated that the current government has been formed through public aspiration and that Jamaat is cooperating with it. However, he warned that some government advisers are engaging in inappropriate activities and urged them to refrain from such behavior.
