United News of Bangladesh

Leader of the Opposition and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Tuesday warned that his party will not remain in Parliament if it does not get scope to speak in the interest of the nation, while calling on supporters to prepare for what he termed a new “revolution.” “As long as there is an environment to speak in Parliament and as long as it is necessary to speak in the nation’s interest, we will stay there. But the day we feel there is no benefit in speaking in Parliament anymore, we will leave,” he said. Shafiqur Rahman was speaking at a rally organised by the Jamaat-led 11-party alliance in the capital's Bijoynagar area, demanding justice for alleged enforced disappearances, killings and mass killings committed during the Awami League regime. The rally, which began around 5:30pm, coincided with the founding anniversary of Awami League, which faces a ban on its activities. Addressing the gathering, Shafiqur Rahman alleged that more than 600 people have been killed since the BNP government assumed office, including over 200 BNP activists. “If a party has no responsibility towards its own workers, how will it take responsibility of the 20 crore people? We see no signs of that responsibility. It is shameful,” he said. The Jamaat ameer accused the government of moving towards “another one-party fascist rule” through partisan appointments in universities, colleges, administrative institutions and other sectors, warning that they will launch another “revolution” if needed to ensure justice. He demanded justice over unresolved issues, including the October 28, 2006 violence, 2009 Pilkhana tragedy, enforced disappearances, political killings and the July-August uprising. The opposition leader also alleged that the pace of trials over the July-August killings has slowed due to “political influence and appointments.” He demanded investigations into other killings, including that of Inqilab Moncho Spokesperson Osman Bin Hadi and a Shibir leader reportedly killed in Gaibandha on June 21. Shafiqur Rahman claimed corruption, extortion, “partisan rule and fascism” have become “viruses” in the country and said another revolution has become inevitable to free Bangladesh from those trends, urging people to get ready for it. He announced that Jamaat will be the in the front line of any future movement and vowed to defend the country’s independence and sovereignty. “We will not allow anyone to cast a hostile eye on Bangladesh.” The Jamaat leader reiterated that Jamaat will not make any compromise with injustice and will reject both “old and new fascism.” National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener and Chief Whip of the Opposition Nahid Islam, Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Rafiqul Islam Khan, Dhaka South unit Ameer Nurul Islam Bulbul, Secretary Shafiqul Islam Masud, Dhaka North unit Ameer Md Selim Uddin, Labour Party Chairman Mostafizur Rahman Iran and other central leaders of the 11-party alliance spoke at the rally with Jamaat Assistant Secretary General and Coordinator of the 11-party alliance Dr AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad in the chair.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Thursday called on the youth to get ready to lead the country, saying his party does not believe in offering unemployment allowances that humiliate the young people. “We do not want to give allowances to keep you unemployed. We want to turn every hand into a skilled one…we will hand over honourable work to you. You will build the country, so get ready for that,” he said. Dr Shafiqur Rahman was addressing an election rally organised by the district Jamaat at Nawabganj Government College ground in Chapainawabganj. Jamaat leader voices concern over election environment He said the 11-party alliance wants to hand over the responsibility of the country to the youth. “The youth will sit in the cockpit of the plane called Bangladesh, while we will sit in the passenger seat. They will take the country forward at rocket speed.” Addressing women, the Jamaat Ameer said his party wants to ensure two things for them — rights and dignity at all levels of society, and security. “If Jamaat comes to power, we want to establish justice everywhere. We want to ensure the same justice for everyone that was once given to the king,” he said. He said once justice is established in Bangladesh, no one will be allowed to engage in extortion. “The path of extortion will be closed, and extortionists will be caught and put to work,” he added. Bangladesh Election: Over 273,000 expats yet to vote Shafiqur Rahman said a public outcry has emerged across the country in favour of a humane Bangladesh and Chapainawabganj is also a proud part of that movement. He said people are tired of rule and misrule over the past 54 years and now want change. “The people of Bangladesh no longer want the old political arrangements.” Jamaat-e-Islami Chapainawabganj District unit President Abuzar Giffari also addressed the rally. Jamaat candidates Dr Keramat Ali (Chapainawabganj-1), Dr Mizanur Rahman (Chapainawabganj-2) and Md Nurul Islam Bulbul (Chapainawabganj-3), along with other party leaders and activists, were present.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman has disclosed assets worth nearly Tk 15 million and an annual income of Tk 360,000 in his affidavit submitted to the Election Commission, as he filed his nomination papers for the upcoming national election. According to the affidavit, Shafiqur Rahman has Tk 6,076,497 in cash and owns 10 bhori of gold. He also owns a duplex house built on 11.77 decimals of land in his own name, valued at Tk 2.7 million. The Jamaat chief owns 2.17 acres of agricultural land, valued at Tk 1.771 million, and earns Tk 300,000 annually from the agricultural sector. The estimated value of his total assets (movable and immovable) stands at Tk 14,999,474 as shown as the income tax return for the fiscal year of 2025-26. He owns a vehicle valued at Tk 450,000, electric goods valued at Tk 200,000 and furniture worth Tk 240,000. Shafiqur Rahman described himself as a medical professional and stated his academic qualification is MBBS. He is accused in two criminal cases which are now postponed by the High Court.  He was accused in 32 other criminal cases in the past, but he was acquitted or relieved from many cases, while some cases were withdrawn.    The Jamaat Ameer submitted his nomination paper from the Dhaka-15 constituency to contest the 13th parliamentary election scheduled to be held on February 12, 2026. On his behalf, a three-member team handed over the nomination paper to Md Yunus Ali, the returning officer for Dhaka-13 and 15 constituency and also Dhaka Regional Election Officer,  at the latter’s office in the Electoral Training Institute in the capital’s Agargaon area. Jamaat assistant secretaries general Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair and Abdul Halim and central executive committee member Mobarak Hossain were the delegation members. The Election Commission on December 11 announced the schedule to arrange the 13th parliament election and the referendum on the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order simultaneously on February 12 next. According to the election schedule, the deadline for the submission of nomination paper is December 29, while the scrutiny of nomination paper is on December 30-January 4 and the last date for the withdrawal of candidature is January 20. The election campaign will start on January 22 and continue till 48 hours before the balloting period (7:30am on February 10).    

Acting High Commissioner to Bangladesh Nardia Simpson on Monday met Jamaat Ameer Shafiqur Rahman to share Australia’s perspectives on building robust institutions to ensure the human rights of all are respected, protected and fulfilled. She met the Ameer also to learn more about Jamaat-e-Islami’s political priorities, according to the Australian High Commission in Dhaka. Jamaat Ameer Shafiqur said they discussed how they can take forward the relations with “mutual respect and love.” Talking to reporters after the meeting, he said, “We had a very friendly and successful meeting.” The Jamaat ameer said they also discussed how Australia can cooperate with Bangladesh meaningfully in the area of skill development programmes. Shafiqur described Australia as one of the important development partners of Bangladesh and discussed areas of cooperation in the future. He said they are delighted to see that representatives of the foreign missions in Dhaka are visiting their office. 

A Dhaka court on Wednesday issued warrants for arresting Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman(now on remand in another case) and 11 activists of the party in a sabotage case filed in 2012. Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Debdash Chandra Adhikary passed the order, said Azad Rahman, special public prosecutor of the court. He said Wednesday (today) was the date of recording testimonies of the accused but the accused did not appear the court and submitted a time petition. Read more: Jamaat chief put on 7-day remand Later, the court issued the arrest warrant against them after rejecting time petition submitted by their counsels, he said. The case was filed against them for holding a ‘secret anti-government meeting’ at the local Uttara Paschim police station in 2012. On December 12, members of Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit arrested the Jammat leader from his house in a case filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act. A Dhaka court put him on a seven-day remand in the case lodged at Jatrabari police station. Read more: Jamaat ameer involved in breeding new militant outfit: CTTC chief Earlier, his son Rafat Sadik Saifullah was also arrested in the case and he has been in jail.  

The Counter Terrorism & Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit of Dhaka Metropolitan Police arrested the ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Shafiqur Rahman early hours of Tuesday.  Deputy Commissioner (media) of DMP Faruq Hossain confirmed it to UNB but he didn’t disclose the details of the arrest and the allegations against the Jamaat ameer. Acting Secretary General of Jamaat ATM Masum in a statement claimed the arrest was made around 1 am from his residence in the capital. Read more: Jamaat declares overlapping 10-point demand; announces mass rally on Dec 24 He condemned and protested the arrest. He said the government cannot stop the ongoing political protests in the country by such arrests. “The people’s movement cannot be stopped by creating fear, attack and filing cases,” he said in his statement. Masum urged the authority to immediately give unconditional release of arrested Jamaat leaders including Shafiqur and leaders of other political parties. On December 11, the ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami announced a 10-point demand largely overlapping with the BNP's, and declared a mass rally on December 24 just after the BNP's announcement. Read more: Mirza Fakhrul, Abbas shown arrested in Paltan police station case: DB Chief Jamaat-e-Islami made the announcement to build a nationwide simultaneous mass movement based on the 10-point demand to restore democracy in the country and bring back the people's rights, said a media statement..