United News of Bangladesh

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman expressed profound sorrow over the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inqilab Moncho and a steadfast July activist, in a condolence statement on Wednesday. In the statement, Ameer said, “Sharif Osman Hadi was a courageous July activist and a true patriot. He never bowed to injustice. His voice resonated against all forms of imperialist forces and oppression. He was an unwavering fighter, untouched by worldly greed or temptation.” Dr. Shafiqur Rahman added that Hadi dreamed of a humane, new Bangladesh and played a pivotal role in the struggle for a society based on justice, truth, and fairness. Osman Hadi no more “With his martyrdom, the nation has lost a fearless voice and an idealistic fighter. The void created by his death cannot be easily filled. His strong voice must inspire the new generation to work towards realizing his vision, regardless of party or ideology. The nation will remember his contributions with respect,” he said. The Ameer prayed for Allah’s mercy on Hadi’s soul and extended heartfelt condolences to his bereaved family, including his young children, wife, fellow activists, and well-wishers, praying that Allah grants them the strength to bear the immense loss.

The distribution of nomination forms for the 13th national parliamentary election is ongoing across the country. On the sixth day of distribution, Jamaat candidates collected a total of 57 nomination forms over the past two days, Monday (December 15) and Wednesday (December 17). Mujibul Alam, Senior Assistant of Jamaat’s Central Publicity Department, confirmed the figures, noting that 6 forms were collected on December 15 and 51 on December 17. According to the official schedule, nomination forms have been distributed to candidates since Saturday, December 13. Candidates must submit their completed forms along with a BDT 50,000 deposit by December 29. Returning and assistant returning officers’ offices will remain open even on weekly and public holidays to ensure uninterrupted electoral processes. Earlier today, Abdus Sattar Sumon, Assistant Publicity Secretary of Jamaat’s Dhaka Metropolitan South, said four party-nominated candidates had already collected their forms. Three collected theirs from the Divisional Commissioner’s (Regional Election Office) office in Dhaka, while one collected the form from a district returning officer’s office outside the capital. The candidates are: Dr. Helal Uddin, central council member and Naib Ameer of Dhaka Metropolitan South, from Dhaka-8; Mohammad Kamal Hossain, central Majlis-e-Shura member and assistant secretary of Dhaka Metropolitan South, from Dhaka-5; Syed Zainul Abedin, Dhaka Metropolitan South council member, from Dhaka-4; and Md. Nurul Islam Bulbul, central executive council member and Ameer of Dhaka Metropolitan South, from Chapainawabganj-3 (Sadar).

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman left Dhaka for the United Kingdom on Wednesday to attend a series of scheduled meetings and programmes with a delegation of the British government. He departed Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in the morning on a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight, said Jamaat Assistant Secretary General and head of its media wing Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair. Injustice, discriminations led people to revolt in 1971: Jamaat Ameer On completion of his scheduled engagements in London, Dr Shafiqur Rahman will travel to Saudi Arabia to perform the holy Umrah, Zubair said. “If everything goes as planned, Dr Shafiqur Rahman is expected to return home on December 21,” Zubair said.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami central leader and Dhaka south Ameer Md Nurul Islam Bulbul collected his nomination paper for Chapainawabganj-3 (Sadar) constituency on Wednesday. He collected the paper from the office of the district returning officer at noon. While talking to reporters after collecting the nomination paper, the candidate urged ensuring the security of all candidates, party workers, and voters in the upcoming national elections. 1 killed, 2 injured as trolley overturns in Chapainawabganj He also called for a free, fair, and credible election with a level playing field. Central council members, including former Chapainawabganj municipality mayor Md Nazrul Islam, central organising secretary Prof. Rafiqul Islam and former MP Prof Latifur Rahman, were present.      

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Tuesday the people of the then East Pakistan rose in revolt as the Pakistani ruling elite perpetrated injustice and created discriminations against them. He made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at the inauguration of a youth marathon organised by Jamaat-e-Islami on the occasion of Victory Day at Suhrawardy Uddyan in the capital. The marathon began around 8 am from Suhrawardy Uddyan and concluded at Manik Mia Avenue near the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, passing through Shahbagh intersection and Science Lab. Participants carried national flags and banners with various slogans throughout the route. Shafiqur Rahman said the politics of the future Bangladesh would be guided by a new system by discarding the old political order. “The politics of the new system will be against terrorism, extortionists, murder, rape, false cases, corruption, injustice and all forms of oppression,” he said. He said the marathon would continue until a new Bangladesh built by youths is realised. “No matter how many obstacles or threats come, we will not stop. We will build a new Bangladesh as dreamt by the nation, Inshallah,” he added. Anti-independence forces trying to resurface on Victory Day: Fakhrul Referring to the upcoming election, the Jamaat chief said the people would not allow any kind of technical manipulation. “We do not seek any favour from the Election Commission but if the commission shows favour to anyone, it will not be tolerated,” he said. He said attempts to buy people with black money would fail as people are now much more aware than before. Shafiqur alleged that during the Awami League’s 15 years in power there was no area of the country where people were spared from oppression, which led the entire nation to rise against them during the July movement. He alleged that their current target is the country’s youth and revolutionaries and an attempt was made on the life of Osman Hadi, one of the key leaders of the July movement. “If anything happens to Osman Hadi, the revolutionaries will not remain silent,” he added. Victory Day: Nation honours Liberation War martyrs He said Awami League has wrongly assumed that eliminating one or two leaders would weaken the movement. “They cannot reduce the number of revolutionaries. Rather, the number of revolutionary youths will continue to grow,” he said.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Monday accused a section of political players of attempting to rehabilitate ‘fascist forces’ and push Bangladesh back to what he described as a ‘rotten past’, warning that the nation would not forgive them if they failed to reform. “They have already been identified. For years they remained disguised; now their true face has been exposed,” he said while addressing a discussion meeting organised by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Dhaka Metropolitan South, at the Jatiya Press Club. The Jamaat chief urged the collaborators of fascists to repent, apologise and refrain from wrongdoing. “Otherwise, the nation will not forgive you.” Paying tributes to those who sacrificed their lives in the 1971 Liberation War and to victims of alleged repression during what he termed ‘15 and a half years of fascist rule’, Shafiqur Rahman said political parties, religious scholars, civil society members and journalists had all faced killings, enforced disappearances and persecution. Referring to the July 24 mass uprising, he said the actual number of martyrs remained unknown and was likely higher than available figures. He expressed deep concerns over the condition of Inquilab Moncho spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi, who was critically injured in a shooting and has been taken to Singapore for treatment. “We pray that Allah restores him to us,” he said. The Jamaat chief also criticised a recent remark by the Chief Election Commissioner, saying it had hurt public sentiment. He urged the CEC to clarify his statement and prove his neutrality, noting that the nation had not received it positively. While acknowledging government steps regarding Hadi’s treatment, Shafiqur Rahman said such responses should not come only after lives are pushed to the brink. He urged the authorities to ensure public safety so that no one dares to show such audacity again. On calls for resignations from officeholders, he said stepping down was not the solution. “Prove your eligibility by fulfilling your responsibilities,” he said, warning that failure could invite renewed unrest—something he said Jamaat does not desire. Calling for a united, humane and corruption-free Bangladesh, he said the party seeks “unity, not division; love, not violence; transparency and accountability, not corruption; justice for all; and jobs in hand, not black money.” He said Jamaat would work with all forces committed to three principles: zero tolerance for corruption, an independent judiciary free from political interference, and sincere implementation of agreed reform proposals. “Those who agree on these will find our doors open,” he said. Stressing respect for both 1971 and 2024, he said denying anyone’s contribution would harm the nation’s future. “July 24 is not just history; it is part of our very being,” he said. Pointing at journalists, Shafiqur Rahman urged accurate and complete reporting, cautioning against selective quotations that could mislead the public. He reaffirmed Jamaat’s support for free, responsible media, including fair criticism, provided it is grounded in truth and national interest. Central Executive Council member and Dhaka South Ameer Mohammad Nurul Islam Bulbul presided over the programme.  

Leaders of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami met the Chief Adviser at his invitation on Saturday morning to discuss the country’s overall situation, including preparations for the next national election. The meeting was held around 11am at the state guest house Jamuna. Jamaat Secretary General and former MP Mia Golam Parwar, along with Assistant Secretary General and head of the party’s Central Publicity and Media Department Advocate Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair, attended the meeting on behalf of the party. At the same time, leaders of the BNP and NCP, as well as relatives of Inqilab Mancha convener and July movement activist Sharif Osman Hadi, also met the Chief Adviser. From the BNP, the delegation included Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed and retired Major Hafizuddin Ahmed. From the NCP, the participants were Convenor Nahid Islam and Chief Organizer (Southern Region) Hasnat Abdullah. According to a press release sent by Jamaat’s Senior Publicity Assistant Mujibul Alam, the discussion focused on creating a conducive environment for holding the 13th parliamentary election in a free, fair and peaceful manner, improving law and order, and ensuring the safety of people’s lives and property. The participants also raised the issue of the brutal attack on Sharif Osman Hadi, who was critically injured after being shot in the head in the capital’s Bijoynagar area on Friday. They demanded the immediate arrest of those involved and exemplary punishment. Condemning the attack, the leaders said the entire nation is shocked and outraged, describing the incident as not only an attack on an individual but a direct assault on the nation and democracy. They urged the government to ensure proper medical treatment for Hadi and prayed for his speedy recovery, while also expressing sympathy for his family and seeking patience and strength for them. During the meeting Jamaat leader Golam Parwar said, “Recently, our various statements have increased the tendency to blame one another which has given our opponents an opportunity. We must remain united as we were before.”

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman on Saturday urged the nation to observe Martyred Intellectuals Day and Victory Day with due respect and solemnity. In a statement, he said these two days are significant milestones in the nation’s history, honoring the sacrifices and struggles of the martyred intellectuals and the valiant freedom fighters of the 1971 Liberation War. He prayed for the eternal peace of the departed souls and offered condolences to their bereaved families, while wishing a speedy recovery for those injured during the July Uprising last year. Referring to the recent attack on Inquilab Mancha convener and July 2024 activist Sharif Osman Hadi, Shafiqur Rahman condemned the assault, calling it a shocking act against not only an individual but the nation and democracy itself. He urged the government to ensure Hadi’s proper medical care and appealed to the public to pray for his swift recovery. The Ameer-e-Jamaat emphasized that the country has recently freed itself from oppressive rule through the united movement of students and the public. Despite economic challenges, he warned that forces supporting fascism, both domestic and foreign, are continuing their conspiracies, citing the assassination attempt on Hadi as evidence. Former BNP MP Akhtaruzzaman joins Jamaat He called on Jamaat-e-Islami’s branches and citizens to resist anti-national conspiracies and celebrate the upcoming national days with commitment to independence, sovereignty, and citizen rights. Three-day Jamaat program announced: Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has announced a three-day programme to observe Martyred Intellectuals Day on December 14 and Victory Day on December 16 with due respect. According to the schedule, a discussion marking Martyred Intellectuals Day will be held on December 14 (Sunday) at the Krishibid Institution auditorium in Dhaka. Organised by Dhaka Metropolitan North Jamaat, the event will begin at 3:30 PM, with the party’s Secretary General and former MP Mia Golam Porwar attending as the chief guest. On December 15 (Monday), Dhaka Metropolitan South Jamaat will host a discussion marking Victory Day at the Institution of Diploma Engineers at 3 PM. Jamaat Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman will join the programme as the chief guest. The three-day observance will conclude on December 16 (Tuesday) with a youth marathon or rally organised by the party’s central youth wing at Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital. The party will also hold discussions, rallies, and prayers nationwide to uphold the country’s independence and citizens’ rights while observing Victory Day with due respect.

Former BNP lawmaker Major (Retd.) Akhtaruzzaman of Kishoreganj-2 constituency has formally joined Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami. On Saturday morning, he met Jamaat-e-Islami Amir Dr. Shafiqur Rahman at the party’s central office and completed the formalities by filling out the preliminary membership form. During the meeting, Major (Retd.) Akhtaruzzaman expressed deep confidence and satisfaction with Jamaat-e-Islami’s principles, ideology, patriotism, and steadfast stance on safeguarding the country’s independence and sovereignty. He pledged to dedicate the remainder of his life to upholding Islamic values, national interests, and the nation’s independence and sovereignty. He also vowed to remain loyal to the party’s rules, discipline, and organizational principles. Dr. Shafiqur Rahman warmly welcomed him and wished him a long and prosperous life. The event was attended by the party’s Secretary General and former MP Mia Golam Parwar, as well as Assistant Secretary General Maulana Abdul Halim. Major (Retd.) Akhtaruzzaman was expelled from BNP on February 20, 2022, for allegedly engaging in activities against party discipline. A veteran of Bangladesh’s Liberation War, Major (Retd.) Akhtaruzzaman is a senior politician and prominent leader of various democratic movements. After independence, he remained active in politics and social welfare initiatives. He served in the Bangladesh Army before retiring as a major and was elected twice to the national parliament from Kishoreganj-2 as a BNP candidate.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami on Friday expressed deep concern over the shooting of Sharif Osman Hadi, an independent candidate for Dhaka-8 and spokesperson of Inquilab Mancha. The party called on the government to investigate whether the attack was part of a “planned conspiracy by fallen fascist forces” aimed at derailing the upcoming national election. In a statement, Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar said the attack raised serious questions about election-time security.  “A candidate and a July fighter being shot in broad daylight immediately after the election schedule was announced clearly reflects an attempt to create fear,” he said. He urged law enforcement agencies to urgently identify and arrest the attackers, review CCTV footage from the incident site, and ensure the safety of all candidates, political activists and citizens in the lead-up to the 13th national election. Parwar said Hadi had earlier written on social media that he received death threats from 30 foreign phone numbers, along with threats of rape against his mother, sister and wife.  “It is evident to the nation that the administration has failed to ensure his security. This is a grave dereliction of duty,” he said. Calling the attack a blow to the country’s peaceful political environment and democratic process, he urged authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice swiftly.  He also wished Osman Hadi a speedy recovery and expressed solidarity with his family and colleagues. Dhaka-8 candidate Osman Hadi suffers bullet injuries during electioneering Hadi suffered bullet injuries during an election campaign on Friday afternoon. He was shot by miscreants around 2:30pm while campaigning, said Inspector Md Faruk, in charge of the police camp at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH).  He was later taken to DMCH for treatment.