United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General and former MP Mia Golam Parwar on Wednesday expressed deep concern and strongly condemned an armed attack on a campaign rally of the party’s Narsingdi-2 (Palash) candidate Maulana Amzad Hossain. In a statement, Parwar said a group of around 50-60 armed assailants, described as “BNP-labelled miscreants”, launched a pre-planned attack on a peaceful gathering held at Shekherchar bus stand in Meherpara union on December 3. The attackers, equipped with local weapons and firearms, dispersed the rally and left at least 30 Jamaat activists injured, including the district Jamaat secretary and nominated candidate Maulana Amzad. Several of the injured were admitted to Narsingdi District Hospital in critical condition. Three Jamaat workers are still missing, which Parwar said has heightened concern among party members. Terming the incident a serious violation of democratic norms and electoral ethics, Parwar said such acts of violence are aimed at destabilizing the election environment. He urged Jamaat activists across the country to remain patient, maintain organizational unity and continue advocating for democratic rights peacefully. The Jamaat leader called on law enforcement agencies to arrest those involved, ensure exemplary punishment, and take immediate steps to rescue the three missing workers. He also urged authorities to guarantee equal security and opportunities for all candidates to maintain a fair and safe electoral atmosphere.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s Senior Naeeb-e Ameer and former MP, Prof. Mujibur Rahman, said on Wednesday afternoon that in the past 54 years, no government has truly worked for the welfare of the people. He made the remarks at a joint rally of eight political parties at the Eidgah grounds of Rangpur Collectorate, held as part of a divisional campaign demanding a referendum before the national parliamentary elections, creating a level playing field, and fulfilling five-point demands. Prof. Rahman said, “Some governments may have worked for individuals or parties, but none have worked for humanity or the hereafter. We aim to serve the world and earn benefits in the hereafter, even if it requires lives like that of Abu Saeed. We will implement Allah’s law with our lives.” He emphasized that the Quranic law must be enacted in the next elections, urging supporters to remain united. “Justice in the country is possible only through the establishment of Islam,” he added. He also commented on the referendum, saying, “Even if a referendum is held, it will not positively affect the parliamentary elections. Yet, people must support it, those opposing the referendum have been and will continue to be defeated.” Jamaat’s Naeeb-e Ameer ATM Azharul Islam highlighted corruption as the country’s main problem, saying the nation is rich in resources but lacks honest, corruption-free leadership. Jamaat Ameer visits Khaleda Zia at Evercare Hospital          

Jamaat-e-Islami has changed its candidate for the Lalmonirhat-3 (Sadar) constituency, a day after announcing a similar reshuffle in Habiganj-4. Advocate Abu Taher, the party’s Lalmonirhat district Ameer, has been nominated to contest the election for the seat in place of former Rangpur Metropolitan Chhatra Shibir president Harunur Rashid. Taher, who previously served for six years as president of Chhatra Shibir in Lalmonirhat and Rangpur districts, currently practises law at the Lalmonirhat Judicial Court. The announcement was made at a meeting held at the district office on Tuesday, attended by local leaders from Lalmonirhat Sadar Upazila and the municipality. Presided over by District Naib-e-Ameer Maulana Habibur Rahman, the meeting was attended, by Jamaat’s Assistant Secretary General and Rangpur-Dinajpur Regional Director Maulana Abdul Halim as chief guest. At the meeting, Taher was formally approved as the party’s new parliamentary candidate for Lalmonirhat-3 and included as a member of the central Majlis-e-Shura. Party sources said BNP’s Rangpur divisional organising secretary, Principal Asadul Habib Dulu, is expected to contest the seat. Dulu was elected MP from the constituency in 2001, defeating Awami League’s Abu Saleh Mohammad Saeed, and later served as Deputy Minister of Communications in the four-party alliance government. Jamaat has historically performed poorly in Lalmonirhat-3. Since the 1990s, the party has only fielded candidates in the 1991 (5th) and June 1996 (7th) parliamentary elections, where its nominee Mosharaf Hossain Khandakar finished fourth with 3,505 and 1,829 votes, respectively. In more recent elections, the constituency was allocated to the BNP under the four-party alliance. On Monday, Jamaat also announced a change in its candidate for Habiganj-4. The district Ameer, Maulana Mukhlisur Rahman, confirmed through Facebook the nomination of journalist Oliullah Noman as the party’s new contender for the seat.

Jamaat Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman said on Monday that the ‘eight-party alliance’ does not want victory only for itself, but for the 180 million people of Bangladesh. “We want to keep fighting for a corruption-free society, justice, economic freedom and an independent country free from any kind of control,” he said while speaking at the Khulna Divisional Rally organised by the Jamaat-led alliance. Mufti Syed Md Rezaul Karim, the Ameer and Charmonai Pir of Islami Andolan Bangladesh, presided over the rally. Since the day after August 5, Dr Shafiqur Rahman said, a particular group has been attacking people to spread its influence. He said extortion, corruption and disorder continue, and some people are showing power even without being in government. They are influencing the administration and people now feel that the situation has become worse although things were not good before. He also claimed that Islamic parties were not accused of extortion during that time. Speaking to people aged 35 and below, who could not vote in the last three national elections, he said, “If anyone tries to steal your vote this time, we will not allow it. On that day, I will also stand with you like a youth and fight for your voting rights.”

The date of the upcoming referendum must be changed and held before the national election to ensure a fair and credible process, Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar said on Sunday. “The government's order is not a divine message that cannot be changed,” he said while addressing a Rajshahi divisional rally at the historic Madrasah Ground, organised by an alliance of eight parties led by the Jamaat-e-Islami. He alleged that the national election and referendum were scheduled for the same day due to ‘bad advice’ from within the interim government, which he said could trigger a major crisis. The Jamaat leader warned the administration and law enforcement agencies not to engage in any plot to establish neo-fascism. “The people want a referendum before the national elections.” Parwar claimed that the alliance of eight parties is expanding, with more political groups expressing interest in joining. He said successive political parties since independence have been accused of extortion, corruption, and terrorism—problems that must be eradicated to build a new Bangladesh. He said corruption would be shown a “red card,” while terrorism and repression would be eliminated. Dissents, he said, would not be suppressed but given dignity, and Bangladesh’s youths would be developed into skilled human resources through moral, technical and production-oriented education.

Jamaat-e-Islami has condemned an alleged attack on its parliamentary candidate for Pabna-4 (Ishwardi-Atghoria), central Majlis-e-Shura member, and Pabna district Amir, Professor Abu Taleb Mondal. The attack reportedly involved gunfire, vandalism of vehicles and motorcycles, and arson during his election campaign. Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar expressed strong protest in a statement on Thursday. Golam Parwar alleged that supporters of BNP candidate Habibur Rahman Habib carried out the assault at Char Gorgori Jogir Mor in Sahapur Union. He said over 50 Jamaat activists, including Mondal, were injured, vehicles were damaged, and more than a hundred motorcycles vandalized and set on fire. He described the attack as a blatant attempt to disrupt a peaceful and participatory election. Over 50 injured in BNP-Jamaat clash in Pabna, including Jamaat MP candidate “Yesterday, BNP local activists attacked Jamaat workers in the same area. Today’s armed assault shows that rival supporters are trying to create a violent environment to influence the election. Using firearms and homemade weapons against a competing candidate is unacceptable in a democratic country,” he added. Golam Parwar called on the authorities to arrest the attackers immediately and ensure exemplary punishment, while wishing speedy recovery for the injured and instructing local leadership to take necessary measures. In response, BNP’s Pabna-4 candidate Habibur Rahman Habib said Jamaat supporters attacked his workers, and 15-20 of his people were injured in self-defense. He accused Mondal of leading the attack and denied Jamaat’s allegations.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s Central Executive Council held a meeting on Wednesday afternoon, during which members prayed for the speedy recovery and good health of BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, who is currently hospitalized due to illness. The meeting, presided over by Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, took place at the party’s central office at 4:30 pm and was attended by Naib Ameers, Secretary General, Assistant Secretary General, and other council members. During the session, prayers were also offered for the quick recovery of Naib Ameer and former MP Dr. Syed Abdullah Md. Taher, who is unwell and receiving medical care. The council urged party leaders, workers, and the public to join in supplications for their health and well-being. The meeting included discussions on the upcoming national parliamentary elections, emphasizing the need for a free, fair, credible, and fear-free voting environment, as well as an assessment of the current overall political situation in the country. Decisions were made to conduct extensive campaigns to create public support for a “Yes” vote in implementing the July national constitutional order. The council also called upon citizens to ensure the success of rallies in seven divisional cities, organized as part of the eight-party alliance’s pre-election programs aimed at implementing five key public demands, including the referendum. Preparations for the party’s Central Majlis-e-Shura annual session scheduled for November 28–29 were also discussed in detail. The meeting concluded with prayers for the welfare of the nation and people, the establishment of justice and truth, and appeals for support from all levels of society to help build a peaceful, just, and prosperous Bangladesh.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has issued a show-cause notice to its former MP and central working committee member Shahjahan Chowdhury on Tuesday over his remarks on the administration. The notice, signed by party Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar, cited Chowdhury’s speech at an electoral responsibility conference held in Chattogram on November 22. In the address, he allegedly made comments that undermined the professionalism and neutrality of the administration, which were widely circulated in the media and social networks. The party said his remarks have already drawn criticisms from various levels of the administration, diplomatic circles and the general public, seriously affecting the party’s reputation. Chowdhury has previously been warned and advised against making statements that violate organizational discipline. He has been asked to submit a written explanation within seven days. Failure to provide a satisfactory response will lead to further action under the party’s constitution and disciplinary regulations.  

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Saturday alleged that a level playing field is yet to be established for the upcoming national election, urging all political parties and state institutions to work collectively to ensure a fair and credible process.  “If the election is not held as scheduled, a national crisis may emerge. A level playing field must be there with the participation of people,” he told reporters at the parade ground of Chittagong College Ground in the city’s Chawkbazar area. Emphasising his party’s stance against corruption, Dr Rahman reiterated that the election must take place on time. He urged party supporters to stay prepared, warning that any delay in the polls could push the country into uncertainty. “We will not allow any crisis to arise. Our position is clear. Our demands are in the interest of the people. Even if we come to power, we will implement the PR (Proportional Representation) method,” he added. Earlier, the Jamaat chief arrived at the Chittagong College Ground parade field by helicopter in the afternoon, where party leaders welcomed him with flowers.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has dismissed widespread social media speculation claiming that popular Islamic scholar Dr Mizanur Rahman Azhari has been nominated as the party’s candidate for Dhaka-5 (Jatrabari–Demra) in the upcoming national election. Rumours circulated from Wednesday afternoon through various Facebook posts and informal online channels suggesting that Azhari had replaced Jamaat’s previously declared candidate, Mohammad Kamal Hossain. The posts quickly gained traction, prompting many users to congratulate the preacher. However, Jamaat clarified that no such decision had been made. In a statement posted on the Jamaat Dhaka City South’s official Facebook page, the party said none of its previously nominated candidates in the region had been changed. The post reaffirmed the existing candidates— Syed Zainul Abedin for Dhaka-4, Mohammad Kamal Hossain for Dhaka-5, Dr Md Abdul Mannan for Dhaka-6, Hafiz Enayetullah for Dhaka-7, Dr Md Helal Uddin for Dhaka-8, Kabir Ahmed for Dhaka-9 and Md Jasim Uddin Sarkar for Dhaka-10. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday evening, Ehsan Mahbub Zubair, Jamaat’s Assistant Secretary General and head of its media wing, termed the claim about Azhari’s nomination “a rumour,” adding that there is “no possibility” of such a move. He urged the public to stay alert against misinformation and refrain from accepting or sharing any political-related claims without proper verification.