Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has said that there is no ”majority or minority” in Bangladesh. “We are one nation. Our identity is that we are Bangladeshis. Anyone born in this country is a proud citizen of Bangladesh," he said on Wednesday while addressing a public rally organised by the party's district unit at Panchagarh Sugar Mill ground. He said the people of a country who cannot remain united cannot stand with their heads held high. He said, "Bangladesh is a country of harmony. I ask our Muslim brothers and sisters to be kind and not to hurt our brothers and sisters of other religions. we dislike it." Jamaat Ameer warns of unrest if elections held under current circumstances The Jamaat leader also criticised those who label groups of citizens as minorities, saying that they cause the most harm. "They inflict the greatest damage on the wealth, honour, and lives of our brothers." He called for the publication of a white paper on all the incidents that have occurred in Bangladesh from January 10, 1972, to the present, through a joint initiative between Bangladesh and the United Nations, so that people can know who really killed people, robbed them of their honor, and plundered their wealth. The Jamaat Ameer said, “India is our closest neighbour, and we have no intention of causing it any unnecessary harm.”

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Wednesday said that if elections are held under the current circumstances, there will be unrest and chaos, stressing the need for reforms to ensure a fair voting environment and restoring law and order. Addressing a roadside gathering organised by the Domar upazila Jamaat-e-Islami at the Upazila Parishad ground in Nilphamari on Wednesday, he said, “If elections are held under current conditions, it will be like burying the election.” He said that reforms are crucial to ensure a peaceful and credible electoral process. On the issue of local government elections, the Jamaat Ameer criticised the absence of elected representatives in key local bodies, including union parishads, municipalities, upazilas, districts and city corporations, leading to public suffering. “Our politics is not about increasing people's hardships but reducing them,” he said, calling for the immediate holding of local government elections. Jatiya Biplobi Chatra Parishad demands ban on AL, issues 72hr ultimatum He stressed that the national election should only take place after essential reforms to restore credibility. He also spoke about corruption and extortion, claiming that despite leadership changes, these issues persist. “Businessmen tell us that extortionists used to collect money every month, but now they demand higher rates, saying they don't know how long they will stay in power, so they must loot as much as possible while they can,” he added. The Jamaat chief called for  a social movement against corruption and injustice, saying, “Wherever there is extortion, we must fight. Wherever there is occupation, we must resist. This struggle will continue because the country has not yet been freed from fascism after August 5.”

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Tuesday said that their movement will continue until the release of its Assistant Secretary General ATM Azharul Islam and the restoration of the party's registration. "He (Azharul) has been languishing in jail for 12-13 years without committing any crime. We don't want him to stay even for 13 more minutes in jail. We are humble but not fool. Don’t make a mistake by treating our politeness as weakness," he told a rally organised in Baitul Mukarram area in Dhaka demanding Azharul Islam’s release. The Jamaat Ameer also called for the immediate reinstatement of the party’s registration, asking, “Do you want to do what the oppressive government did? Did students and the public sacrifice their lives for this?” He emphasised that their struggle is yet to be ended. “The war is ongoing. Thousands of students and common people are ready to give their lives on the streets. All conspiracies have been thwarted by them.” UN report exposes genocide under Hasina: Jamaat Ameer The rally spanning areas around Paltan, Baitul Mukarram, Nightingale, Kakrail, Zero Point, and the Press Club drew a huge gathering of party members. Following the rally, a protest procession led by Ameer was brought out. Earlier, on February 17, in a statement, Secretary General and former MP Professor Mia Golam Parwar called on party leaders, workers, and people from all walks of life to ensure the success of the rally and the protest march.

The Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, has said that all murders in independent Bangladesh must be tried in courts.  If not, the cycle of murders would never end, he said.  Similarly, he said the culture of looting will not end if incidents of looting aren't properly tried. "We want to build an exploitation-free, corruption-free, non-communal Bangladesh," he said.  Jamaat Ameer warns fascists will return if unity destroyed He made these comments as the chief guest at the Jamaat-e-Islami workers’ conference held at Gor-e-Shahid Boro Maidan in Dinajpur on Saturday noon. The conference was presided over by District Committee Amir, Principal Anisur Rahman. Other speakers included Central Committee Assistant Secretary General Maulana Abdul Halim, Central Working Council member Principal Maulana Mamataj Uddin, and others. Rizvi compares call for reforms before elections to AL putting development before democracy The workers' conference, organised after 20 years, was attended by grassroots leaders and workers from 14 district organisational committees, including female members, along with nearly a hundred thousand leaders and workers from surrounding areas. Earlier, they joined the conference in processions. The event was secured with strict security measures, including volunteers, and was conducted peacefully.

Interim government adviser Mahfuj Alam has said ‘anti-Bangladesh Awami League fascists’ will no longer be allowed to participate in elections. “If Awami League returns to power, fascism will also return,” he said while addressing a street rally in Hajiganj Bazar area of Chandpur town on Saturday. Mahfuj said only pro-Bangladesh political parties including BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami will take part in the elections. Dr Yunus hailed as "beacon, hero, amazing image of stability" at Davos: Shafiqul Alam Through a fair election and positive competition among all political parties, governance in Bangladesh will be reestablished, he said. “We no longer want the fascist regimes of Sheikh Mujib or Sheikh Hasina. We want pro-Bangladesh forces will rule the country,” the adviser added. Dr Yunus calls for a system allowing people to vote "freely, fairly without any threat" Student representatives from Chandpur and Hajiganj Upazila were present during the event.

With the Awami League absent from the political stage following the August 5 (2024) political changeover, the two long-standing allies, BNP and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, appear to be drifting apart as they vie for dominance ahead of the upcoming elections, according to political analysts. They said a deepening rift between the BNP and Jamaat is taking centre stage, with their leaders trading sharp criticisms, signalling a new polarisation in the country’s political landscape. Political analysts also observed that while BNP and Jamaat have had conflicts in the past, the level of hostility between them this time is unprecedented in recent years as both parties seek to assert their political power They also predicted that Jamaat may try to forge an alliance with Islamist parties to emerge as a strong opposition in the 13th parliament if Awami League fails to stage a comeback in politics ahead of the election. 'Jamaat chief’s remarks hurt, still hope for united movement': BNP leader However, they are not ruling out the possibility of Jamaat contesting the polls under BNP’s alliance if the Awami League can engage in politics and join the election race. Despite the current strain, senior leaders from both BNP and Jamaat told UNB that they do not want to damage their unity since they believe any division could ease the Awami League’s return to politics. The conflict between the two parties intensified after the mass uprising, primarily surrounding the Islamic bank takeover and the dispute over taking credit for the uprising. Following this, Jamaat leaders accused the BNP of "grabbing and extortion" across the country. BNP initially refrained from commenting, but on December 29, BNP senior leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi alleged that not only India but also several political parties, including those opposed to the 1971 Liberation War, were trying to exploit the political turmoil for their own gain. BNP leader criticises Jamaat for defending 1971 role instead of apologising Rizvi also accused Jamaat of being involved in taking over various institutions, including banks, and engaging in tender manipulation. In response, Jamaat issued a statement refuting these allegations. The discord continued as Jamaat Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman at an event in Rangpur on December 23 said there are only two tested patriotic forces in the country-- one is the army, the other is Jamaat-e-Islami. Later, Rizvi termed the Jamaat chief’s comment ridiculous and raised questions about the role of the "Islamist party" in the 1971 Liberation War. At a programme on Thursday, BNP senior leader Maj (Retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed slammed Jamaat for trying to justify its role in 1971 instead of offering an apology. Supporters of both parties have been particularly active on social media, exchanging harsh words and fueling the growing hostility between them. The BNP and Jamaat have had an enduring relationship, especially during the 1991 national election, and their formal coalition was formed in 1999. They remained politically aligned until the dissolution of their 20-party alliance before the 12th national election. For quite some time, there has been a noticeable gap between the two parties, especially since the BNP dissolved the 20-party alliance in December 2022, to carry out a simultaneous movement with many other parties, including some left-leaning ones. BNP-Jamaat relations also got strained in 2018, as BNP formed Jatiya Oikyafront with Dr Kamal Hossain-led Gonoforum and some other parties, ignoring Jamaat. Jamaat also harboured resentment towards BNP due to its silence over the arrest and execution of Jamaat’s top leaders for crimes against humanity during the 1971 Liberation War. However, the differences were later resolved following a high-level meeting, but now, tensions have resurfaced. Some BNP leaders said that Jamaat Amir first attacked the BNP with his comments shortly after the ouster of Sheikh Hasina, stating that although one oppressor had left, another should not take the nation's reins. Jamaat Ameer discusses reforms, national unity with Chief Adviser Yunus They said the Jamaat chief also criticised the BNP in September when the party demanded an early election, prompting BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir to respond, saying that those with no public support do not want the election. BNP leaders said though they are actively vocal about the election roadmap and early election, Jamaat wants the election to be delayed with their evil intention. They said Jamaat is also now seeking local body elections before the national election, which goes against the stance of the BNP. Contacted, BNP Standing Committee member Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku said it is natural for BNP leaders and workers to feel resentment over the negative remarks made by Jamaat leaders. “Jamaat has not been a rival of BNP in electoral calculations in the last 50 years, but it seems the party has started considering BNP as a rival,” he observed. Tuku said Jamaat leaders should be more cautious with their political statements as the BNP is focused on uniting pro-democratic forces for the nation's greater good. Talking to UNB Jamaat-e-Islami Publicity Affairs Secretary Adv Motiur Rahman Akand said some BNP leaders are making derogatory comments against Jamaat by using outdated words and terms. “The people of the country have not accepted such old narratives about Jamaat. Had they accepted these outdated statements, Jamaat’s popularity and organisational expansion would not have increased,” Akand said. He said some BNP leaders are attacking Jamaat out of jealousy and envy, as it is increasingly gaining popularity. Akand , however, claimed that although some leaders are engaging in verbal exchanges, both parties remain united in the greater interest of the nation. “There is no rift between the top leaders of the two parties. I also believe the relationship between the two parties has not deteriorated. Some leaders are making comments out of frustration and ego. This is a temporary stance. The original unity remains intact,” the Jamaat leader said. Dr Shamsul Alam, a professor of government and politics at Jahangirnagar University, said Jamaat is trying to stimulate its grassroots and expand its organisation by making negative comments against the BNP in the absence of the Awami League. He said the pro-Jamaat student body Chhatra Shibir is also trying to establish its supremacy on all educational campuses, challenging BNP’s student wing Chhatra Dal. “I think there is a rift at the grassroots level of the two parties, not at the centres, in the changed situation. But before the election, either both parties will reunite, or there will be a new polarisation,” he said.      

BNP senior leader Nazrul Islam Khan said on Friday said they were hurt by the comments of the Jamaat-e-Islami chief, who claimed that the army and his party are the only tested patriotic forces in Bangladesh. Speaking to reporters at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office after a meeting with a delegation of Jatiyatabadi Samamona Jote, he, however, expressed the hope that Jamaat would join the movement for the restoration of democracy alongside other democratic parties in the future. “We have no such distance with Jamaat. They (Jamaat) also want democracy and elections, and they speak of human rights, as we do,” the BNP leader said. He said, "But if anyone claims that they alone are patriots, naturally, we will feel hurt. We will say, brother, that is not true. We all are patriots." Tarique thanks Qatar Emir for support in transporting Khaleda to London The BNP leader hoped that no politician would make such remarks in the future. Asked whether BNP would hold any meeting with Jamaat, he said their party was not formally engaged in a simultaneous movement with Jamaat. While Jamaat was also part of the movement against the Awami League government, like BNP and other parties, their programmes were not the same, he said. “We hope that in the coming days, we all will be three in the movement to restore democracy, and they (Jamaat) will also join the movement,” Nazrul said. In response to another question, he said BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has been receiving proper care at the London Clinic. Khaleda admitted to The London Clinic for medical care “By the grace of Allah, her treatment is progressing well. We urge the people of the country to pray for her swift recovery so that she can return to us after the treatment,” the BNP leader said. Jatiyatabadi Samamona Jote chief and National People's Party (NPP) Chairman Dr Fariduzzaman Farhad also spoke, urging the interim government to arrange elections after promptly completing the necessary reforms.

The Appellate Division on Thursday set January 23 for hearing a review petition submitted by death-row convict and Jamaat-e-Islami leader ATM Azharul Islam in connection with crimes against humanity during the 1971 Liberation War. A five-member bench, led by Chief Justice Dr Syed Refaat Ahmed, fixed the date after senior lawyer Barrister Abdur Razzak, accompanied by others, submitted the review petition on behalf of the Jamaat leader. Following his arrest, ATM Azhar faced nine charges of crimes against humanity. According to the chargesheet, he was ‘responsible’ for killing 1,256 people, abducting 17, and raping 13 women during the Liberation War in the Rangpur region. Besides, he was said to have tortured civilians, set fire to hundreds of houses, and committed other atrocities. The International Crimes Tribunal sentenced him to death on December 30, 2014, in five out of the nine charges. Read: CJ opens ICT building to try July-Aug mass killings On January 28, 2015, the death-row convict submitted a petition to the Appellate Division, claiming his innocence. Later, on July 19, 2020, Azharul Islam filed the review petition with the relevant branch of the Appellate Division. Following an appeal hearing, the Appellate Division, under a bench led by then-Chief Justice Syed Mahmud, upheld the death penalty in a verdict delivered on October 23, 2019. Read more: ICT issues arrest warrants against Sheikh Hasina, 10 others The full text of the Appellate Division’s verdict was released on March 15, 2020, after which ATM Azhar submitted the review petition.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Friday said the Awami League plunged the country into corruption and misrule during its prolonged tenure. He said that the party exploited the nation for over 15 years under the guise of governance while engaging in unparalleled oppression and injustice. “Our offices were sealed, party registration was canceled and top leaders were executed through judicial killings. They turned people of the country into slaves,” he said at Jamaat’s district activists' conference as the chief guest at the Eidgah Maidan in Jashore. He highlighted the downfall of the Awami League on August 5 as a remarkable achievement led by the nation's brave sons and he paid tribute to those who lost their lives in the struggle and prayed for their departed souls. ‘Those who ruled for 15 years focused on enriching themselves rather than developing country’: Jamaat Ameer He also condemned the AL government’s crackdown on students during the quota reform movement, accusing them of using tools like hammers, helmet-wearing groups and bullets to suppress the protesters. “Despite their attempts, they failed to quell the movement,” he said. On rising commodity prices, he remarked, “People are burning with hunger as prices of essentials have skyrocketed. This must be controlled. After the fall of the autocratic Awami government, people found their bank accounts empty because the regime looted public wealth and laundered it abroad.” Highlighting the destruction of the education system, he said that the education sector has suffered irreparable damage under the AL regime. “We must overcome this situation.” He lamented the lack of development in Jashore, blaming previous governments for neglecting their promises. “Before coming to power, they pledge development and bow in respect, but once in office, they forget these promises,” he said.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman has accused the Awami League of engaging in murderous politics even before coming to power, beginning with the October 28, 2023, sit-in. Speaking at a Rukon (member) conference organized by Jamaat-e-Islami's Moulvibazar district unit on Saturday, he said, "AL started the killings before coming to power. On December 29, 2008, they came to power through backdoor negotiations. As soon as they came to power, they started the politics of murder." BNP begins talks with allies over national election He claimed the first act of violence occurred at Pilkhana, where he said the Awami League carried out the massacre. He also accused AL of targeting various political and social groups, stating, "First, they attacked Jamaat, then they arrested BNP leaders, humiliated Hefazat, and even disrespected the country's scholars and ulama. They killed and disappeared journalists and imprisoned them." The conference, which began at around 12:30 pm, was presided over by Jamaat's Moulvibazar District Ameer Engineer Md. Shahed Ali, with District Secretary Md. Yamir Ali as moderator. Regarding relations with India, he said "The country where she (Sheikh Hasina) has taken refuge is our neighbor. With respect to our neighbor, I want you to live in peace, and let us live in peace.” Formation of King's Party would cost interim government its credibility: Rizvi “You (India) talk about communal harmony to us, but take a good look at your own face in the mirror. How do you treat those you call minorities there?" The Jamaat leader also raised concerns about the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR), now renamed the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), alleging that the force was destroyed through a conspiracy. Among the leaders who spoke at the conference were Jamaat's central assistant secretary Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair, Dhaka Metropolitan South Ameer Md. Selim Uddin, Dhaka Paltan Police Station President Shahin Ahmed Khan, Sylhet District Ameer Md. Habibur Rahman, Sylhet Metropolitan Ameer Md. Fakhrul Islam, Sylhet Metropolitan Jamaat’s Assistant Secretary Advocate Abdur Rob, and others.