Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman has urged celebration supporters to not lose coronary heart over the election final result, saying the celebration’s 77 seats mark a “basis” fairly than a setback, whereas additionally condemning alleged post-poll violence concentrating on political activists.
He additionally expressed gratitude to activists, volunteers and supporters for his or her efforts over the previous months and referred to as for endurance following the election outcomes.
“I do know lots of you feel damage and deeply disillusioned… However your efforts weren’t in useless,” he stated in an announcement posted on his verified Fb web page late final night time.
The celebration has almost quadrupled its parliamentary presence and emerged as one of many strongest opposition blocs in trendy Bangladeshi politics, he famous.
He stated many had devoted their time, vitality and conviction to the trigger, whereas some confronted “intimidation and harassment” merely for exercising their democratic rights. Their braveness, he added, had strengthened the nation’s democracy.
Acknowledging the frustration amongst supporters, the Jamaat ameer stated such feelings had been pure when folks make investments their hearts in a political trigger. Nonetheless, he confused that the end result shouldn’t be seen as a defeat.
“With 77 seats, we now have almost quadrupled our parliamentary presence and turn out to be one of many strongest opposition blocs in trendy Bangladeshi politics. That’s not a setback. That may be a basis,” he wrote.
Referring to the shifting nature of political fortunes, Shafiqur cited the instance of the Bangladesh Nationalist Social gathering, which was diminished to 30 seats in 2008 earlier than returning to energy in 2026 after an 18-year journey. Democratic politics, he stated, is a protracted street that requires endurance and perseverance.
“Our path is obvious: earn belief, maintain energy to account, and put together responsibly for the longer term,” he wrote.
The ameer stated the true check of management in a democratic system lies not solely in campaigning, but in addition in responding to the folks’s verdict. From the outset, he stated, the celebration had dedicated itself to a secure and practical democratic order — a dedication that is still unchanged.
“We recognise the general final result, and we respect the rule of legislation,” he stated.
He additionally emphasised that the celebration’s motion was by no means a few single election. Somewhat, he stated, it goals to strengthen democratic tradition, shield residents’ rights and construct a simply and accountable state.
In a separate submit, Shafiqur condemned incidents of violence allegedly concentrating on Jamaat supporters and different political activists after the polls, warning the incoming authorities that the folks’s mandate is “not a licence” however a conditional belief.
“Folks’s mandate is just not a licence; it’s a conditional belief,” he wrote. “The core situations of that belief are sustaining legislation and order, making certain equal safety for all, and guaranteeing the protection of each citizen no matter political identification.”
Within the submit, the Jamaat chief alleged that harmless residents and voters — together with supporters of Jamaat-led 11-party alliance, unbiased candidates and even these holding totally different political opinions from the Bangladesh Nationalist Social gathering — had been subjected to violence following the polls.
He strongly condemned the incidents and expressed solidarity with what he described as harmless victims.
“A nation that has simply exercised its democratic rights has no place for violence, intimidation or politics of vengeance,” he wrote, including that the “July revolution remains to be alive” and that folks wouldn’t return to what he termed the darkness of concern and repression.
Shafiqur referred to as on legislation enforcement companies to right away conduct neutral investigations into the reported incidents and produce these accountable to justice.
“Swift and visual enforcement of the legislation can forestall additional deterioration of the state of affairs and be sure that no citizen feels compelled to hunt safety via various means,” he stated, urging that every incident be correctly documented and recorded.
He additionally requested the celebration’s elected MPs, candidates and native leaders to go to households affected polls-related points directly, stand beside them and acquire proof, together with photographs and movies, to be formally submitted to legislation enforcement companies and shared with the media if needed.
Addressing the incoming authorities, the Jamaat ameer stated good governance begins with establishing self-discipline inside one’s personal celebration and activists.
“We’re dedicated to peaceable and accountable politics. However our dedication shouldn’t be mistaken for weak spot,” he wrote, reiterating that violence, repression and politics of terror should not return to the nation “from any aspect”.
He concluded the submit by praying for the safety of the nation.
