Jamaat Ameer Shafiqur collapses on stage mid-speech at Suhrawardy rally
The Jamaat chief collapsed twice on stage within minutes, but managed to finish his speech after receiving first aid.
Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman collapsed on stage mid-speech during the party's national rally at Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital this afternoon (19 July).
The 67-year-old was addressing the rally when he fell on the stage for the first time at around 5:20pm, shocking tens of thousands of Jamaat supporters in the venue and thousands who were watching the live broadcast of the event on social media platforms and TV.
Other party leaders rushed to his aid within moments and helped him stand up. With others assisting, the Jamaat chief then proceeded to continue his speech, assuring everyone that he was alright.
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However, within a minute, he collapsed again while speaking to a sea of worried leaders and activists of the party.
Doctors and volunteer medics rushed to check his condition while his attendants helped Shafiqur stand up again. Then, after receiving some first aid, the Jamaat chief continued his speech while sitting down on the stage.
At the time, he was heard rebuking the doctors who urged him not to carry on with the speech.
Soon after, he finished the speech and then other senior leaders of the party helped him get off the stage as he bade farewell to the Jamaat supporters at the rally.
He was likely taken to a hospital afterwards. Details regarding his current physical condition are unavailable at the moment.
Today's rally was Jamaat's largest solo political gathering in its history, estimating over one million attendees after nearly a month of preparations, the party said.
While Jamaat had previously participated in joint rallies at Suhrawardy Udyan alongside the BNP, this marks its first major solo political demonstration at the historic venue.
Through this rally, the party aimed to demonstrate its organisational strength and supporter base, and to press a seven-point demand that includes holding the next general election under a proportional representation system.
