Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has said that the student community's trust in Islami Chhatra Shibir, as seen in recent university elections, signals a broader political shift that will shape the nation's future.
Speaking at a rally in Dhaka’s Mirpur area on Thursday, organized for Dhaka-15 electoral constituency, Dr. Rahman emphasized the growing support for Islamic values among youth and women.
The event was held at Police Convention Center.
He noted that student elections at major public universities; including Dhaka University (DU), Jahangirnagar University (JU) and Chittagong University (CU), have revealed strong support for Islami Chhatra Shibir.
He cited the ongoing Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (RUCSU) election as a continuation of this trend.
“Youth and women are embracing Islam wholeheartedly. In every university election so far, we’ve seen the same pattern; students, especially women, have expressed their trust in Chhatra Shibir,” said Dr. Rahman.
“The nation will see a reflection of this support in the coming days, In Shaa Allah.”
Dr. Rahman used his speech to highlight the historical and religious significance of women in Islam, lamenting the current state of women’s dignity in the country.
“In a country where 91% of the population is Muslim, our mothers and sisters are not given due respect; neither inside the home nor outside,” he said. “Jamaat-e-Islami is committed to restoring women’s rightful status based on the teachings of the Qur’an and the life of Prophet (PBUH).”
He stressed the party’s vision of an inclusive society where both men and women contribute to nation-building based on merit and necessity.
The Jamaat chief called for a society rooted in justice and inclusivity, where people are respected regardless of religion, ethnicity, language or location.
“Faith is a personal matter; our responsibility is to honour every citizen. We won’t ask what religion someone follows or what colour their skin is. Every person is a citizen of this country and will be treated as such,” he said.
Dr. Rahman also addressed the country’s economic fragility and widespread corruption, calling for leadership that prioritizes competence over party loyalty or religious identity.
“We want to hand over responsibility to those who are truly capable; regardless of whether they belong to our party or even share our faith,” he said. “Bangladesh needs real public servants, not corrupt power seekers.”
The Jamaat Ameer outlined three key commitments of his party during his speech.
First, he emphasized the urgent need to reform the education system, stating that a well-structured education system is vital, and without it, a nation can never progress.
Secondly, he pledged to eradicate corruption, asserting that corruption has deeply infiltrated every level of society.
He affirmed the party's readiness to make sacrifices and confront any obstacle; no matter how large, to eliminate it.
Lastly, he stressed the importance of ensuring justice for all, declaring that every citizen must receive their rightful dues and justice without having to struggle for it, regardless of age, gender, or background.
Dr. Rahman concluded by emphasizing the need for a leadership model based on accountability rather than praise.
“We don’t want slogans like ‘Long live so-and-so.’ We want leaders who fear their responsibility and ask themselves whether they are truly capable of carrying the people’s burden”, he added.
SH
