Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, a 67-year-old physician and current chief of Jamaat-e-Islami, has unexpectedly become a major contender for Bangladesh’s prime ministership ahead of the February 12, 2026 national election. Once a marginal political figure, his bearded image now dominates Dhaka’s billboards as Jamaat, once banned, competes fiercely against the BNP, its former ally. The election follows the 2024 Gen-Z-led uprising that ousted former ruler Sheikh Hasina.

Public polls suggest Jamaat may achieve its best-ever result, worrying liberals and minorities. After Hasina’s fall, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus’s interim government eased restrictions, and a 2025 court ruling lifted the party’s ban. Jamaat quickly reemerged through charity and flood relief work, helping Rahman gain visibility. Analysts say he filled a leadership vacuum after the uprising, traveling nationwide and positioning Jamaat as a moral, Islamic-values-based alternative.

Rahman’s moderate image and alliance with the youth-led National Citizen Party have broadened his appeal, though his remarks limiting women’s work hours have drawn criticism. He emphasizes governance reform, anti-corruption, and equal treatment for all faiths.