Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Tuesday said his party envisions a future Bangladesh that is free from discrimination, transparent and humane, where politics will be driven by hope, healing and unity rather than division.
He made the remarks while addressing the Jamaat-e-Islami Policy Summit–2026 as chief guest at a city hotel in Dhaka.
The summit, which began at 9:00am with recitation from the Holy Quran, was attended by prominent thinkers, policymakers, diplomatic representatives, political leaders, businesspersons, professionals and senior media figures.
Dr Shafiqur said Jamaat-e-Islami believes in building a state where a modern market economy functions alongside a transparent and accountable administrative system, ensuring equal opportunities for all citizens regardless of religion, ethnicity or gender. “Development becomes sustainable only when it is rooted in justice, transparency and ethical values,” he said.
Highlighting women’s participation in politics, he claimed Jamaat-e-Islami ranks among the top political parties in South Asia in terms of female participation, with women making up around 43 percent of its total membership. “This is a notable example in the country’s political culture,” he added.
He said equal access to education for women—from primary to university level—would be ensured so they can realise their full potential as equal citizens. “No form of discrimination against women in social, economic or political participation will be tolerated,” he said.
Calling on those who believe in equality, justice and a humane state system, Dr Shafiqur said Jamaat-e-Islami is ready to work with all like-minded forces.
Describing young people as the main “engine” of national growth, he said youth employment would be given the highest priority in the governance framework of a “new Bangladesh”. “An unemployed youth population poses a major risk, while an empowered and productive youth can drive a nation forward,” he said.
The Jamaat chief also pledged to build a modern welfare state, combining a transparent market economy with strong social security. Addressing international investors, he said an open and transparent economic environment would be ensured to build investor confidence, with special emphasis on small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and foreign direct investment (FDI).
He further said Jamaat-e-Islami would take a firm stance to prevent any future government from using state resources or the economic system for personal or partisan interests. “Corruption, plunder and nepotism weaken the state from within. Without transparency in line with international standards, real development is not possible,” he said.
Dr Shafiqur also pledged to modernise agriculture, boost productivity and ensure food security, saying sustainable development cannot be achieved by neglecting the sector.
He described the protection of minorities’ rights and security not only as a political responsibility but as a “sacred religious duty”, claiming that around 500,000 members of Jamaat-e-Islami belong to Hindu, Buddhist, Christian and other minority communities.
Concluding his speech, he expressed his party’s resolve to establish Bangladesh as a reliable and trustworthy partner at regional and global levels. Thanking the intellectuals and experts present at the summit, he said the time calls not for division, but for unity to build a better future.
“Only through unity can a prosperous, humane and justice-based Bangladesh be built,” he said.
