Radical Islamist party Jamaat-e-Islami of Bangladesh is set to make a return into electoral politics after Supreme Court accepted its registration as a political party. Jamaat was banned by the High Court of Bangladesh in 2013 for its unconstitutional party nature that violates the secular fabric of Bangladesh.
Recently, Jamaat-e-Islami held a massive rally in Dhaka where thousands of supporters gathered claiming to bring Islamic rule in Bangladesh.
One Iqbal Hussain said, “We are here for a new Bangladesh, where Islam would be the guiding principle of governance, where good and honest people will rule the country, and there will be no corruption,” adding, “We will sacrifice our lives, if necessary, for this cause.”
Mohidul Morsalin Sayem, a 20-year-old student who came to support the party said, “Under Jamaat-e-Islami, this country will have no discrimination. All people will have their rights. Because we follow the path of the holy book – Quran.”
Jamaat supporters wanted all the Islamist groups in Bangladesh for the cause of Jamaat-e-Islami party.
How a proportional representation system will benefit Islamists in Bangladesh
The party insisted that they wanted proportional representation system in the upcoming elections slated to be held in April next year.
Introduction of a proportional representation system will mean the political party receiving the highest votes will get the highest number of seats irrespective of where the votes come from. Similarly, a party receiving lowest votes will have the lowest share of seats. But, this sudden switch to proportional representation system will require constitutional amendment as Bangladesh follows the First-Past-The-Post system.
However, according to Shafiqur Rahman, Jamat-e-islami Chief, 2024 was a struggle against “fascism” but now Bangladesh will fight corruption and extortion.
Rahman said. “How will the future Bangladesh look like? There will be another fight … We will do whatever is necessary and win that fight.”
Shafiqur Rehman fainted twice while addressing the rally in Dhaka. But in a dramatic manner, Rehman returned to complete his speech.
Awami League condemned the Jamaat-e-Islami rally
Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s party, Awami League condemned the rally saying, “marks a stark betrayal with the national conscience and constitutes a brazen act of undermining millions of people – dead and alive – who fought against the evil axis [in 1971]”. Sheikh Hasina is currently in exile living somewhere in India.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Awami League Media Cell posted on X that Bangladeshi citizens who did not join the rally were harassed by the Yunus regime.
#Yunusregime inflicted immense suffering on thousands of ordinary citizens who did not join the rally by @BJI_Official on the street, as on-duty law enforcement officials including cops ensured the streets remained open exclusively for #Jamaat supporters going to the rally,… pic.twitter.com/c8zGes8KuT
— Bangladesh Awami League Media Cell (@ALBDMedia) July 19, 2025
It said, Younis government “inflicted immense suffering on thousands of ordinary citizens who did not join the rally” adding, “on-duty law enforcement officials including cops ensured the streets remained open exclusively for Jamaat supporters going to the rally, causing massive gridlock and bringing traffic to a standstill.”
Further the post said that “the cops did not ensure seamless passage for thousands of commuters who did not join the rally, an undue privilege for an outfit that publicly campaigned for imposition of Sariah law, opposed secular polity and women rights commission recommendation.”
It added, “Earlier, the regime cancelled the scheduled holidays of railway staffers and introduced special service allowing public trains exclusively to be used by Jamaat supporters to arrive at the venue, another special privilege for the outfit that has executed one of the worst crimes against humanity including genocide in 1971 to stop the birth of the country.”
