Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has strongly condemned the arrest of Bibi Sawda, a female activist of the Bhola Municipality Women’s Jamaat-e-Islami. In a Facebook post on Tuesday morning, he described the treatment of Sawda as a message of neo-fascism, accusing those in power of silencing dissenting voices to hide their failures.

Earlier, Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Advocate Moyazzem Hossain Helal issued a statement on Monday night expressing deep concern and protest over the arrest, which took place at Sawda’s home around 11 p.m. on April 5. He said law enforcement officials cited “higher orders” as the reason for the arrest, calling it inhumane and undemocratic. Helal noted that Sawda has a three-year-old speech-impaired child who depends on her care.

Helal demanded Sawda’s unconditional release and urged authorities to ensure a humane and democratic environment in the country, stating that such actions contradict the public’s expectations following the 2026 election.