Leader of the Opposition in Parliament and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman spoke to journalists while participating in a street cleaning programme in the Monipur area this morning. Photo: BSS

DHAKA, Feb 18, 2026 (BSS) - Leader of the Opposition in Parliament and 
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman today said that 
sincerity in keeping one's own surroundings clean would eventually ensure a 
clean country, both physically and morally.

"I want Mirpur to grow into a model area from today. We will not wait for 
government funds to carry out this work. However, I will demand that the area 
is not deprived of its rightful entitlements," he told journalists while 
participating in a street cleaning programme with party leaders and activists 
in the Monipur area this morning.

During the programme, Dr. Rahman personally swept the streets and collected 
waste into a designated vehicle accompanying the team. He spent nearly 15 to 
20 minutes taking part in the cleaning activities.

Speaking to journalists, Jamaat Chief said, "Yesterday, we took two oaths as 
Members of Parliament and as members of the State Reform Council. We want to 
go to parliament and do something good for the country, InshaAllah." 

"Through reforms, we want to remove the impurities of society. Alongside 
cleaning the streets, we also want to cleanse people's minds. Today's 
campaign is part of that humanitarian correction," he added.

He said the initiative was aimed at delivering a message to the residents of 
Mirpur and the country that a clean environment contributes to a healthy 
mindset.

"When the environment is beautiful and clean, it has a positive impact on 
people's minds. People become better, more compassionate and more responsible 
towards society. That is the message we want to give," he added.

Emphasising personal responsibility, he said, "If we are sincere and keep our 
own yards clean, our beloved motherland will also become clean." He termed 
the day's programme as the beginning of a sustained effort rather than a 
symbolic event.

Dr. Rahman called upon each party unit to spend at least half an hour daily 
after Fajr prayers on cleanliness activities, saying that devoting an hour 
would be even better. 

He said activists would subsequently spread into broader social service 
initiatives along with their families.
He also expressed his desire to see Mirpur turned into a model area, adding 
that they would not wait for government funds to carry out such activities, 
though he hoped the area would not be deprived of its rightful entitlements.

Central executive council member and Ameer of Dhaka North city unit Md. Selim 
Uddin, Nayeb-e-Ameer Abdur Rahman Musa, Assistant Secretary Dr. Fakhruddin 
Manik and Barrister Saif Uddin Khaled also joined the programme.