For the first time, a Jamaat-e-Islami rally in Sylhet on Saturday witnessed significant participation by women, marking a notable shift in the party’s outreach and engagement in the region.

Such a scene has never been seen at a Jamaat rally before, with women openly taking part for the first time.

The election rally, organised by the district unit of Jamaat-e-Islami, was held at the Alia Madrasa ground. The party’s Ameer, Dr Shafiqur Rahman, addressed the gathering as the chief guest. A large number of women attended the rally.

UNB observed that separate seats had been set aside for women at one end of the ground. The area was enclosed with a bamboo fence, with access allowed only for women. Jamaat leaders said that around 5,000 chairs had been arranged for female participants.

Many local voters said they had never seen such a public and organised presence of women in a Jamaat rally in Bangladesh’s political history.

Although Dr Shafiqur Rahman did not speak specifically about women at the rally, he referred to a controversial post on his X account, saying, “A group does not know how to respect their mothers and sisters. They are trying to tarnish my character, but they do not realise that in the modern world, if you attack, there will be consequences.”

He added, “My X account was hacked and insulting posts about my mothers and sisters were made. What will they say now that the thief has been caught? They continue speaking on behalf of the thief, but I have forgiven them and will not discuss it further.”

Sylhet Metropolitan Jamaat Ameer Md Fakhrul Islam said, “A large number of voters in our country are women. That is why this rally was organised to ensure their participation.”