News Flash
DHAKA, Nov 4, 2025 (BSS) - Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman returned to Dhaka today after performing Umrah in Saudi Arabia and completing his visit to the United States, the United Kingdom, and Turkey.
He arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at around 5:30 am and was greeted with flowers by a large number of party leaders and activists at the airport's VIP lounge, said a press release.
Dr Rahman told reporters that during his eight-day stay in the United States, he held meetings in New York, Buffalo, Michigan, and Washington D.C. with both government and non-government representatives, as well as with members of the Bangladeshi diaspora.
He said he had conveyed two key messages to expatriates: that "Bangladesh belongs to all of us" and that expatriates' contributions during the long struggle against repression and autocracy were invaluable.
The Jamaat Ameer emphasized the importance of granting voting rights to expatriates, which Jamaat had long advocated for, and called on the Election Commission to extend the voter registration deadline by at least 15 days to address software-related and procedural issues that had prevented many from enrolling.
Dr Rahman further urged that proof of citizenship through a National ID card and valid passport should be sufficient for expatriates to register as voters, saying, "They should not be burdened with conditions like utility bills or holding tax receipts, which are unreasonable for those living abroad for many years," he said.
On his return from Turkey, the Jamaat Ameer said he had also held meetings with government and private representatives and Bangladeshi expatriates there. "Wherever I went, I tried to speak for the people and the country, and to promote respectful and equitable relations with all nations," he added.
Jamaat's Nayeeb-e-Ameer Professor Mujibur Rahman and Maulana ANM Shamsul Islam, Secretary General Professor Mia Golam Parwar, Assistant Secretary Generals Maulana ATM Masum, Maulana Rafiqul Islam Khan, Dr. Hamidur Rahman Azad, Maulana Abdul Halim and Advocate Moyazzem Hossain Helal were present on the occasion.
Several central executive committee members including Saiful Alam Khan Milon, Advocate Matiur Rahman Akand, Principal Md. Shahabuddin, Mobarak Hossain, Nurul Islam Bulbul, and Md. Selim Uddin were also present.
Dr. Rahman thanked journalists for their early morning presence, describing them as "the conscience and mirror of the nation." He urged them to continue playing a leading role in building a just and humane Bangladesh free from inequality, saying, "When journalists act for the welfare of the nation, the nation finds its path to progress."
In response to reporters' questions on being Ameer, Dr. Rahman said that his colleagues had entrusted him with the leadership responsibility as Ameer and sought their prayers for its fulfillment. He added that Jamaat would announce its final list of election candidates on time, considering national interests and coordination with other political forces.
Regarding political dialogue, he said Jamaat welcomed the government's call for parties to reach a consensus within a week, adding that his party had already urged all sides to engage in open discussions for the sake of the country.
Asked about the timing of the next polls, Dr. Rahman said, "We, along with the people of the country, want to see the election held in February, Inshaallah."
