Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Monday urged voters to back his party, declaring that Jamaat is ready to begin governing "from the very first day" if elected, apparently binning traditional idea of 'honeymoon period' of 100 days enjoyed by the winners in national election in the country.
In a televised address to the nation aired on Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar, Shafiqur Rahman struck a confident, forward-looking tone, framing the upcoming election as a historic moment for national renewal.
"Allah has given us a rare opportunity for change," he said. "Let us rise above the politics of the past and build a Bangladesh where every citizen lives with dignity and respect."
He pledged that a Jamaat-led government would begin implementing its plans immediately after Fajr prayers on the first day in office. Emphasising youth leadership, he described young people as the "pilots" of the nation's future, with Jamaat playing a supportive role.
"This country belongs to you," he told young voters. "We want to place it in your hands-because there it will flourish."
At the outset, Shafiqur Rahman said his address was not a routine political speech but a heartfelt message for citizens of all generations and faiths. He paid tribute to the martyrs of the Liberation War and the victims of the July 2016 attack.
Acknowledging widespread public desire for change, he warned that powerful interests resist reform to protect their own wrongdoing. He praised the courage of young activists who challenged injustice, saying the future of Bangladesh must rest with such fearless citizens. Calling for unity beyond divisive politics, he said Jamaat envisions a peaceful, inclusive Bangladesh where leadership is based on merit, not family lineage. He promised governance founded on security, justice and accountability, and urged voters to support the referendum to fully implement post-1975 reform initiatives.
Outlining Jamaat's manifesto, he highlighted five principles to embrace-honesty, unity, justice, efficiency and employment-and five to reject-corruption, fascism, domination, unemployment and extortion. "These are the pillars of a moral and advanced Bangladesh," he said.
He pledged women's empowerment across society, politics and business, vowing safety and equal opportunity for all. He also reaffirmed Jamaat's commitment to protecting minority rights and preventing religious persecution.
On policy, he prioritised education reform, judicial independence and economic restructuring, calling for ethical education, a competent judiciary, banking reform and an investment-friendly economy.
