Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islam Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman today addressed an election rally this afternoon in the capita. Photo: BSS

DHAKA, Jan 25, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islam Ameer Dr Shafiqur 
Rahman today said that the party will always be beside the young voters who 
participated in the July Mass Uprising with full support.

"No one should touch their votes. If anyone does, fire will burn. That slogan 
is over. Terrorists used to say, 'I will cast my vote and yours too.' That 
time is now over. You will cast your vote; I will cast mine. That is how it 
will be, Insha'Allah," he said.

Shafiqur Rahman was addressing an election rally this afternoon in the Kajlar 
Par area of Jatrabari in the capital, organised by the Jamaat election 
committees of Dhaka-4 and Dhaka-5 constituencies.

He said some quarters, out of fear of defeat in the national election, might 
attempt to move through "crooked and dark paths".
 
"We are not naming any party or any individual. But we hope they will step 
back from this path by understanding the spirit of July. If they do not, 
remember this - the July fighters are not asleep. They completed their first 
task; now they are ready for the second," he said.

Stating that Jamaat does not want to see the return of fascist rule in 
Bangladesh, he said the party does not want weapons purchased with people's 
money to be used against the people themselves.

"To dismantle all structures of fascism, people must say 'Yes' in the 
February 12 referendum. 'Yes' means freedom, 'No' means slavery," he added.

The Jamaat Ameer also said extortion has now become a "new profession" in the 
country and urged those involved to return to the right path, assuring that 
arrangements would be made for lawful livelihoods. "If they do not abandon 
this path, Jamaat will show them the red card," he continued.

Referring to the neglect of Qawmi madrasa education by previous governments, 
Dr Shafiqur Rahman said recognition of Qawmi madrasa certificates has been 
given only at higher levels, not at lower levels.

"Jamaat will sit with Qawmi madrasa authorities and, according to their 
wishes and advice, ensure that madrasas are placed in positions of dignity," 
he added.

He also said those killed in the Hefazat movement have not received due state 
recognition, stressing that such recognition must be given.
At the rally, the Jamaat Ameer formally handed over the party symbol 
'Daripalla' (The scales) to Dhaka-4 candidate Syed Zaynul Abedin and Dhaka-5 
candidate Kamal Hossain, and urged local residents to vote for them.

JnUCSU VP Riazul Islam, JACSU GS Mazharul Islam, and leaders of the National 
Citizen Party (NCP), Khelafat Majlis, Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon, AB Party, 
and Jamaat leaders from different wards of Dhaka-4 and Dhaka-5 constituencies 
were present at the election rally.

Chaired by Jamaat Dhaka Metropolitan South Nayeb-e-Ameer Abdus Sabur Fakir, 
it was also addressed, among others, by Jatrabari Thana Jamaat Ameer AK Azad 
Khan, Kadamtali Thana Ameer Md Mohiuddin, and Metropolitan South Majlish-e-
Shura member Mizanur Rahman Malek.