Jamaat chief Shafiqur reaffirms support for women's leadership after 'hacked' X post controversy

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman has reiterated his party's position on women, saying false and misleading content circulated on social media had distorted its long-stated policies, after the party claimed that some of its leaders' social media accounts – including Shafiqur's - were targeted by hackers.

In a post on his verified Facebook page today (1 February), Shafiqur said, "There has been false and misleading content circulating on social media, aimed at misrepresenting our position. I am sharing this to clarify our values and to refocus the conversation on our policies.

"Our manifesto has been clear from day one. We want women active and respected in education, healthcare, administration, entrepreneurship, and public service. We commit to uninterrupted education for girls, safe campuses, zero tolerance for harassment, women-centred healthcare in every district, equal pay, safe workplaces, childcare support, and skills training for dignified employment."

"We support women's leadership in politics and local government, economic empowerment of rural women, strong legal protection, and social respect," he added.

The Jamaat chief said these positions were "not reactions to rumours or online noise," but part of a long-standing vision that he had outlined months earlier and reaffirmed at his Policy Summit on 20 January.

"Judge me by my record, my policies, and my manifesto, not by false narratives," he wrote, adding that the manifesto would be formally launched day after tomorrow (3 February).

"Our commitment is practical and measurable, safe education for girls, equal opportunity at work, women-centred healthcare, strong legal protection, economic dignity, and real leadership for women.

"A Bangladesh that respects women is a Bangladesh that moves forward, and that is the future we are building," he said in the post.

The clarification came after the screenshot of a post from Shafiqur's official account on X, formerly Twitter, began circulating on social media last night.

The post, which has since been deleted as Jamaat claimed the account was hacked, read, "On the question of women, Jamaat's position is neither confused nor apologetic-it is principled. We do not think, women should come in the leadership. In Jamaat, it is impossible. Allah did not permit this."

It further read, "We believe that when women are pushed out of the home in the name of modernity, they are exposed to exploitation, moral decay, and insecurity. It's nothing but another form of prostitution. Social media vulgarity, workplace harassment, and commodification of women are not signs of progress-they are symptoms of moral collapse.

"We refuse to compromise with immorality, no matter how fashionable it becomes."

The screenshot of the now-deleted post immediately drew widespread criticism from various quarters and political parties. Jatiotabadi Chhatra Dal, the student wing of BNP, today brought out a protest march at Dhaka University, condemning the remarks.

'Cyberattack'

Earlier today, Jamaat's central campaign team said a recent cyberattack targeted Shafiqur's verified X account, along with the social media accounts of several other senior leaders.

In a statement, the team said, "Using a highly sophisticated and coordinated method, the attackers were able to temporarily take control of one social media account."

"However, through swift action and the use of existing security protocols, our cyber team successfully regained control. As a result, no other accounts were compromised, and the security of all remaining platforms has been effectively ensured," the statement said.

During the brief incident, the party said an unauthorised post was published in which "a statement was falsely attributed to the Ameer-e-Jamaat."

"We categorically state that the content in question does not reflect the Ameer-e-Jamaat's views, position, or statements, and is entirely false and misleading," it added.

"We urge the general public, journalists and social media users to remain highly vigilant against fake news, fabricated quotations and misinformation," said the statement, issued by Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair, the party's assistant secretary general.

'Tarnish our campaign'

In another post on Facebook, shared after the X post was deleted, Shafiqur alleged attempts to tarnish the party's campaign through false news and hacking of social media accounts.

"They are trying to tarnish our campaign through false news and by hacking social media, and let us be clear about who they are. The very party attempting to smear us today is the same party whose activists attacked the hijab, violated the honour of our mothers and sisters, and physically beat and threatened women in public," he wrote.

"We will not take lessons in morality or democracy from those who have built their politics on fear, propaganda, and humiliation. The people of Bangladesh who stood up during the July Revolution know how lies are manufactured and how truth is verified, and they cannot be deceived again," said the Jamaat chief.

"That is why we will not be distracted. Our campaign will remain positive, principled, and focused on justice, dignity, and a hopeful future for the nation," he added.

He continued, "Let me also say this clearly. Forty-three percent of our party membership are women. This is not a slogan, it is our reality. We have a long history of respecting women, honouring their dignity and standing beside them as equal partners in society."

"Our policies are built to protect women, to ensure their safety, and to recognise their central role in building Bangladesh. A nation that disrespects its women cannot move forward. We are committed to building a new Bangladesh that respects its people, honours its women and governs with justice and accountability," he said.