United News of Bangladesh

Opposition Leader Dr Md Shafiqur Rahman on Sunday appreciated Deputy Speaker Barrister Kayser Kamal for expressing his views in his introductory speech to play impartial role in Parliament. “The sentiment you have expressed here today through your speech is exactly what the people of Bangladesh desire. They want Parliament to be turned into the center of all activities in the country,” he said. Earlier the first session of Parliament resumed on Sunday after a 14-day break as its third sitting began at 3:00pm with Deputy Speaker Kayser Kamal in the chair. Jamaat Ameer mourns death of speaker’s wife Dilara Hafiz While presiding over the House for the first time, the Deputy Speaker made his introductory speech and expressed his views to remain neutral and would play impartial roles in the Parliament. He also cited that he already resigned from the post of his party (BNP) for the sake of being impartial. Following his speech, Dr Shafiqur Rahman, also the Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, took the floor and hailed his views. “We congratulated you once when you were elected Deputy Speaker. Today, we are officially congratulating you again,” he said. “This chair is a very important chair of justice. The message you have given from this chair is that you will impartially consider everything and give everyone what is due to them. So, I congratulate you once again for this attitude,” he went on. The Opposition Leader assured the Deputy Speaker that they would extend all sorts of cooperation to all reasonable steps taken by him.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman on Saturday expressed deep sorrow over the death of Dilara Hafiz, wife of Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad and a noted educationist. In a condolence message, he said her contributions to her family and society will be remembered with great respect. The Ameer-e-Jamaat also prayed to Almighty Allah to grant the deceased Jannatul Firdaus and to give the bereaved family the strength to endure this difficult loss. Jamaat Ameer condoles over Daulatdia Ferry Ghat bus tragedy Dilara Hafiz breathed her last at Singapore General Hospital at 1:29pm Singapore time on Saturday. She was 78. She is survived by husband, one son, one daughter, grandchildren and many well-wishers. During her long career, Dilara Hafiz made important contributions to the development of education in the country. She served as principal of Eden Mohila College and Suhrawardy College at different times. She also served as Director General of the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education under the Ministry of Education.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman exchanged Eid greetings with diplomats of various diplomatic missions in Dhaka on Saturday. He exchanged greetings with them from 11 am to 12:30 pm at his official residence on Minto Road in the capital. Earlier, he offered Eid-ul-Fitr prayers at around 8:00 am at the Monipur Girls’ High School ground adjacent to 60 Feet Road in Mirpur in the capital.

Dr Shafiqur Rahman, Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and Opposition Leader in Parliament, will offer the holy Eid-ul-Fitr prayers at 8:00am on Saturday at the Monipur Girls’ High School ground, located beside the 60 Feet Road in Mirpur. Following the prayers, he will exchange Eid greetings with people from all walks of life, according to a media statement. Later in the day, he is scheduled to exchange Eid greetings with diplomats stationed in Dhaka from 11:00am to 12:30pm, and with political leaders and others from various segments of society from 3:00pm to 4:30pm at his government residence on Minto Road.  

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Monday welcomed the canal excavation initiative taken by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.In a Facebook post from his verified account, he said Bangladesh was once widely known as a riverine country where rivers played a vital role in transportation, trade and agriculture.He mentioned that rivers previously ensured smooth navigation, helped transport goods and supported farming activities. Besides, rich fish resources, preservation of soil fertility and proper water flow during the rainy season helped prevent frequent floods and related sufferings.However, he said that since independence, the combined impact of the Farakka Barrage and the filling of major rivers, canals and beels has severely affected the country’s water systems. Jamaat Ameer congratulates Tigers on historic ODI series win over Pakistan“As a result, rivers that once flowed strongly cannot hold enough water during the rainy season. This often leads to premature flooding, while in the dry season many rivers resemble deserts,” he said.He added that disruptions in natural water flow cause waterlogging in major cities and towns during the monsoon, while in the dry season there is not enough water for navigation and agriculture.Shafiqur Rahman stressed that restoring navigability through adequate dredging of major rivers should be a top national priority to protect the country.He also said that although funds had been allocated in the past for dredging, river management and reform, the expected benefits were not achieved due to widespread corruption.“There is no alternative to transparency in all sectors,” he said, adding that the government has a responsibility to ensure proper and transparent use of public funds.He further said that canal excavation alone will not produce the desired benefits unless rivers regain their vitality and navigability. “Only then will people receive the full benefit of canal excavation,” he added.Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman inaugurated a nationwide canal excavation and re-excavation programme by cutting soil with a spade at Sahapara canal in Kaharol upazila of Dinajpur.The programme was launched at around 12:27pm at Balrampur village under Ramchandrapur union of Kaharol upazila.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar expressed deep shock and sorrow over the road accident in Bagerhat’s Rampal that killed 13 people and left several others seriously injured. In a condolence message on Thursday, he described the loss of women, children, and ordinary passengers in the tragic accident as “very painful and heartbreaking,” adding that the sudden loss of so many lives is an “irreparable loss for the nation.” Bride returning from her wedding party among 12 killed in Bagerhat road crash He prayed for the forgiveness of the deceased and conveyed his deepest condolences to their families, while also praying for the speedy recovery of the injured. The Jamaat leader urged the authorities to investigate the real cause of the accident and take necessary action against those responsible to prevent similar tragedies in the future.  The accident occurred around 4:30pm when the bus of Bangladesh Navy collided head-on with a microbus carrying people returning from a wedding programme, said Md Hasan, sub-inspector of Katakhali Highway Police camp. Three children, three women and four men were among the deceased, he said. Rampal Upazila Health and Family Planning officer, Dr Sukanto Kumar Pal, said among the deceased eight bodies were kept at Khulna Medical College and Hospital while the rest were kept in Bagerhat.

Nayeb-e-Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami and deputy leader of the opposition Syed Abdullah Muhammad Abu Taher on Thursday expressed dissatisfaction on behalf of the opposition party for not consulting with the opposition while nominating the Chair for presiding the House. “The process could have been even more constructive had the Prime Minister or a government representative held prior discussions with the opposition beforehand, we would still have accepted the proposal with great enthusiasm,” he said. Abu Taher expressed hope that in future similar matters would involve dialogue between the ruling party and the opposition before decisions are finalised, noting that such discussions would help improve the parliamentary environment and strengthen democratic practices. The Jamaat MP, however, said opposition has full support for a proposal put forward by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. On behalf of the opposition, he welcomed the Prime Minister’s proposal and reiterated their party’s full support for the initiative.

Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Wednesday said the Jatiya Sangsad should play a meaningful and effective role in fulfilling the expectations of the nation and its people. “As the opposition, we want to play the role of a responsible opposition,” he said while briefing reporters after a meeting of the parliamentary committee of the opposition alliance at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban. He expressed hope that Bangladesh would move forward on the path of effective and sustainable democracy through the 13th Jatiya Sangsad. Shafiqur Rahman said his party would support and cooperate with all decisions and steps taken by the government for the welfare of the country and its people. However, if any decision harms the country or the nation, they will act according to their responsibilities. “We will first point out the mistakes, offer suggestions and provide opportunities for correction. If those suggestions are not considered, we will protest. If protest also fails, we will firmly stand for the rights of the people,” he said, adding that they want problems to be resolved at the initial stage through discussion. He said the government, being in the majority in parliament, has the power to take many decisions, but decisions taken after logical discussion would be best for the nation. The Jamaat leader also urged the Bangladesh Nationalist Party to take oath as members of the Constitution Reform Council. He said if the government continues to implement the demands raised for public welfare, they will continue to welcome such steps. Shafiqur Rahman expressed optimism that Bangladesh would be freed from corruption and misrule and that the government would conduct its activities in line with the aspirations of the July movement. The 13th Parliament is set to start its five-year journey with its first session on Thursday morning, just one month on from the February 12 general election. Unlike in the past however, the first session of the new parliament is going to begin with the Chair of Speaker vacant as the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker are currently unavailable. At the outset of the session, Leader of the House and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will deliver a welcome speech and nominate the name of a senior member of parliament to temporarily chair the House before election to the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker by Members of Parliament.

Amid growing discussions in the public domain, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) on Wednesday said it is ready to make public the full text of a letter sent by Jamaat Ameer and Opposition Leader Dr Shafiqur Rahman if he provides written consent. The MoFA issued a statement regarding a letter sent by the Opposition Leader to Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman. On February 22, 2026, Dr Mohammad Mahmudul Hasan, Foreign Affairs Adviser to the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, sent the letter electronically to the Foreign Minister on behalf of the Opposition Leader. He later also handed over the same letter directly to the Foreign Minister. The letter was written on the official pad of the Leader of the Opposition in the Jatiya Sangsad. The subject of the letter was: “Appointment and recommendation of Dr Mohammad Mahmudul Hasan to the rank of Adviser or Minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as the ‘Foreign Affairs Adviser to the Leader of the Opposition’.” In the signed letter, the Opposition Leader praised Dr Hasan’s skills, professionalism, and prudence, and recommended him to the Foreign Minister for appointment to the said position in order to jointly advance the country’s foreign policy. He requested the Foreign Minister to give special consideration to the matter. The letter bears only the signature of the Opposition Leader. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it has taken note of a newspaper report claiming that “Jamaat directly contacted the Foreign Minister over the phone.” Jamaat Ameer urges govt to ensure urgent fuel supply through global partners The report also stated that the Jamaat Ameer was not aware of the said letter. “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs clearly states that no such phone conversation took place,” the statement added.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar on Tuesday claimed its Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman didn’t direct his adviser on foreign affairs Dr Mahmudul Hasan to seek a ‘ministerial status’ in a recent letter sent to the Foreign Ministry. “He (Dr Hasan) was assigned to send a letter to the Foreign Ministry to clarify Jamaat-e-Islami’s position on the country’s foreign affairs. But he included some issues in the letter sent to the foreign ministry going beyond the Ameer’s directives. Particularly the part related to ‘ministerial status’ was not in the Jamaat Ameer’s instruction,” said he in a statement. As soon as the matter came to the party’s notice, Jamaat Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman took necessary steps, he said “Dr Mahmudul Hasan was formally relieved of his responsibilities on March 2 and immediately Dhaka-14 MP Mir Ahmad Bin Quasem (Arman) was appointed as the new foreign affair adviser to the Opposition Leader,” he said. The incident, which recently surfaced in the media, actually took place about two weeks ago and had created some confusion among the people, Parwar said in the statement issued on Tuesday to clarify the matter. The Jamaat leader said Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami believes in responsible, transparent and accountable political conduct. “If any confusion or misunderstanding is created on any issue, we believe in promptly correcting it. Necessary measures have already been taken regarding the matter, so there is no further scope for misunderstanding,” Parwar said, urging all concerned to present accurate information properly. According to media reports, Leader of the Opposition in Parliament and Jamaat Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman sent a letter to the Foreign Ministry on February 22 seeking an appointment for his foreign affairs adviser Prof Mohammad Mahmudul Hasan at the Foreign Ministry. The opposition leader reportedly requested Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman to assign Hasan to the ministry with ministerial status.