State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam. File Photo

DHAKA, May 13, 2026(BSS) - Shama Obaed Islam, state minister for the ministry of foreign affairs, is a prominent politician and a senior leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).  

She was born in a distinguished political family in Faridpur district. She is the daughter of K M Obaidur Rahman, a heroic freedom fighter and former minister and former secretary general of BNP. 

From early age, she developed a strong orientation toward academic excellence and a deep sense of responsibility to serve the country. Her father instilled in her the belief that the most effective way to serve the people is through honesty, hard working and a strong moral commitment. She has endeavored to follow these principles throughout her political and social works.

In her academic life, she completed her higher secondary education from Viqarunnesa Noon School and College before pursuing higher studies in the United States. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science with highest honors from California State University and later completed her MBA from the University of Phoenix. 

She began her professional career as a Computer Scientist at First Union Bank in the United States, gaining valuable experience in the financial and technology sectors. After returning to Bangladesh, she became an entrepreneur while dedicating herself to serving the people of her constituency and engaging in various social welfare activities.  

In the 2026 National Parliamentary Election, she was elected as a first-time Member of Parliament (MP) from Faridpur-2 (Nagarkanda-Shaltha) constituency. Shama Obaed Islam is one of the seven women elected in the 13th Parliamentary Election. On February 17, 2026, she took oath as the State Minister for Foreign Affairs. Within her party, she serves as the Organizing Secretary (Greater Faridpur Division) of BNP’s National Executive Committee and is a member of the party’s Foreign Relations Committee. 

She previously contested parliamentary elections in 2008 and 2018 from the same constituency. Since the election in 2008, she has consistently stood beside the people of her constituency despite facing repression, violence and politically motivated false cases under the fascist rule of the Awami League. 

Shama Obaed Islam is also the President of ‘Jatiyotabadi Muktijuddher Projonmo’, an organization formed in 1997 by the descendants of Freedom Fighters. She has strengthened the organization’s national presence, expanding its committees to 35 districts including Dhaka City. Under her leadership, the organization has spoken out on key national issues such as border killings (including the Felani case), stock market collapse, corruption, violence against women, democracy and human rights.

When freedom of expression was severely restricted in the country, she organized multiple high-profile seminars and round-table discussions under an independent platform titled ‘Youth Movement for Democracy’. These programmes included participation from prominent civil society members, journalists and credible political leaders and played an important role in raising public awareness. Notable programmes addressed themes such as credible elections and necessary reforms; extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances; human rights and democratic governance and youth’s perspectives on the Liberation War. 

Her international engagements reflect her commitment to diplomacy and policy discourse. She visited China in 2013 and 2014 as part of BNP delegations at the invitation of the Chinese government and attended the Asian Political Parties Special Conference on the Silk Route in Beijing in 2015, where she presented a paper at the closing ceremony. In 2019, she participated in a youth leadership delegation to India and later traveled to Australia as an election observer. 

She has also played a leading role in policy discussions on electoral reforms, particularly regarding the introduction of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in Bangladesh, organizing a high-profile international seminar attended by experts from the United States and India to examine associated risks and safeguards.

Alongside her successful political career, she is actively involved in social development initiatives, including Save the Children projects aligned with UN Development Goals and works with NGOs supporting children and persons with disabilities. She serves as Executive Director of the Institute for Global Cooperation Foundation (IGC Foundation), a youth-led, youth-driven think tank.