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.
আমার দেশ অনলাইন প্রকাশ : ১১ ফেব্রুয়ারি ২০২৬, ১১: ৫৩আপডেট : ১১ ফেব্রুয়ারি ২০২৬, ১৪: ৫৭ আমার দেশ অনলাইন বাংলাদেশের রাজনীতিতে দীর্ঘদিন ধরেই অনেকটা প্রান্তিক পর্যায়ে ছিলেন ডা. শফিকুর রহমান। এখন রাজধানী ঢাকার দেয়াল আর বিলবোর্ডগুলোতে শোভা পাচ্ছে তার শ্ম
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