Jamaat ameer outlines vision for ‘new Bangladesh’ ahead of February 12 election

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman today set out his party’s vision for a “new and prosperous Bangladesh”, calling for democratic renewal, accountable governance and an economy centred on dignity, employment and social justice.

Speaking at a programme at a city hotel this morning, attended by diplomats, politicians, academics, industrialists, journalists and civil society members, the Jamaat ameer said Bangladesh was approaching a “historic crossroads” ahead of the national election scheduled for February 12.

“After a dark period of authoritarian rule, we now stand in a phase of democratic transition,” he said, adding that rebuilding institutions and restoring public trust remained major challenges.

Tracing the country’s political journey since 1947 and 1971, Shafiqur said the core promises of independence -- political freedom, economic justice and human dignity -- remained unfulfilled more than five decades on.

“Democratic institutions have weakened, accountability has eroded, and citizens have too often been denied their rightful voice,” he said, blaming governance failures and authoritarian practices over the past 17 years for shrinking democratic space.

Referring to the July 2024 uprising, he said young people had once again risen to reclaim their rights and their future.

Turning to the economy, the Jamaat chief said Bangladesh’s central challenge was “not survival, but stability”.

“Growth alone is no longer sufficient,” he said.

“Economic success must be measured by whether people can plan their lives with confidence, provide for their families with dignity, and participate meaningfully in society.”

He pointed to unemployment, inflation and the dominance of insecure informal work, saying many young graduates struggled to turn education into opportunity, while women continued to face structural barriers.

At the same time, he said Bangladesh had “enormous potential”, citing its young workforce, migrant workers, global diaspora and strategic geographic position.

He also underscored women’s role in nation-building, saying expanding women’s participation was “not only a matter of justice; it is an economic necessity”.

On governance, Shafiqur said good governance was essential for national transformation and pledged “zero tolerance against corruption”.

“We have proved it before,” he said, referring to Jamaat leaders’ past tenure in ministries.

“Their expertise and honesty translated into efficiency.”

He argued for a shift in economic thinking, calling for employment to be treated as a public priority, gradual formalisation of informal work, enforcement of labour rights and a welfare system viewed as social infrastructure rather than charity.