Bangladesh’s outlook will change in 5 years if Jamaat comes to power: Shafiqur

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman today (7 February) said if his party comes to power, the country's whole outlook will change within the next five years.

"The new Bangladesh envisioned by the younger generation and mothers and sisters would become visible within that period," he said while speaking as the chief guest at an election rally organised by district and metropolitan Jamaat at the Alia Madrasah ground in Sylhet.

He alleged that Bangladesh has experienced 54 years of oppressive politics and claimed that Jamaat-e-Islami has been one of its biggest victims.

However, he said that after 5 August, 2024, the party declared it would not take revenge against any oppressor.

"We have forgiven them. Our leaders and activists have kept their word. As a party, we did not seek revenge. We did not engage in case trade. But many others have," he added.

Highlighting Sylhet's mineral wealth, he said locals are not receiving their fair share.

"Gas has not reached all areas, electricity has not reached everywhere. Rivers have been destroyed. Sylhet is flooded with liquor and drugs.

"If brought to power, we will stop these. Not only will we dredge rivers, Bangladesh will become river-friendly," he said.

Referring to corruption, Shafiqur alleged that the country's wealth has been looted over the past 54 years.

"No one was an angel. Everyone stole; some less, some more. If we are given responsibility, we will not spare those who stole people's money," he said, adding that they would extract the money from looters.

Describing Sylhet as a remittance-dependent region, he mentioned the Osmani International Airport in Sylhet.

"There is an international airport here. It is international only in name; no international flights land here. We will turn it into a full-fledged international airport in practice, not just in name," he said.

Expressing his aspiration to empower youth, the Jamaat ameer said, "We want to hand over the steering of this country to the youth, who will take Bangladesh forward."

He also expressed gratitude to the freedom fighters who fought for the country's independence, emphasizing the need for unity across all communities, regions, and ethnicities.

"Jamaat aims to build a peaceful and prosperous country where no citizen is left behind," Shafiqur said.

He also pledged to provide farmers with equipment, ensure markets for agricultural produce, supply nets to fishermen, and said, "Those who own the nets will own the waters."

He added that the state would take responsibility for the children of tea garden workers.

Addressing controversy over a post from his X account, the Jamaat ameer alleged that his account had been hacked and an offensive post targeting women had been published.

He said he had protested disrespect towards women and claimed his critics had attacked him politically.

"The thief has been caught, yet they are still defending the thief," he said, adding that he had forgiven them and would not speak further on the matter.

Concluding his speech, he said he stood there not just as Jamaat's ameer but as a son of Sylhet. "Give us a chance. We will not become owners of the country; we will be your guardians," he said.