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22-07-2025
DHAKA: Hundreds of thousands of supporters of Bangladesh’s largest Islamist party took part in a rally in the capital, Dhaka, demanding an overhaul of the electoral system.
The South Asian nation is expected to head to the polls next year as it stands at a crossroads after the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
On Saturday, Jamaat-e-Islami placed a seven-point demand on the country’s interim government headed by Muhammad Yunus to ensure a free, fair and peaceful election, justice for all mass killings, essential reforms and the proclamation and implementation of a charter involving last year’s mass uprising.
The party also said it wants the introduction of a proportional representation system in the election.
Thousands of supporters of Jamaat-e-Islami spent the night on the Dhaka University campus before the rally.
On Saturday morning, braving the sweltering heat, they continued to stream towards Suhrawardy Udyan, a historical site where the Pakistani army surrendered to a joint force of India and Bangladesh on December 16, 1971, ending the nine-month war.
“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,” said Iqbal Hossain, 40.
“We will sacrifice our lives, if necessary, for this cause.”
On Saturday, Jamaat-e-Islami placed a seven-point demand on the country’s interim government headed by Muhammad Yunus to ensure a free, fair and peaceful election, justice for all mass killings, essential reforms and the proclamation and implementation of a charter involving last year’s mass uprising.
The party also said it wants the introduction of a proportional representation system in the election.
Thousands of supporters of Jamaat-e-Islami spent the night on the Dhaka University campus before the rally.
On Saturday morning, braving the sweltering heat, they continued to stream towards Suhrawardy Udyan, a historical site where the Pakistani army surrendered to a joint force of India and Bangladesh on December 16, 1971, ending the nine-month war.
“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,” said Iqbal Hossain, 40.
“We will sacrifice our lives, if necessary, for this cause.”
‘No discrimination’
Some demonstrators wore T-shirts bearing the party’s logo, others sported headbands inscribed with its name, while many displayed metallic badges shaped like a scale, the party’s electoral symbol.
Many young supporters in their 20s and 30s were also present.
“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,” said Mohidul Morsalin Sayem, a 20-year-old student.
“If all the Islamist parties join hands, soon, nobody will be able to take power from us.”
The party’s chief, Shafiqur Rahman, said the country’s struggle in 2024 was to eliminate “fascism”, but this time, there would be another fight against corruption and extortion.
“How will the future Bangladesh look like? There will be another fight … We will do whatever is necessary and win that fight,” Rahman said. (Int’l News Desk)
