United States Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T. Christensen held a courtesy meeting with Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman on Thursday morning at the party’s office in Bashundhara, Dhaka. The meeting was confirmed through a verified post on Jamaat-e-Islami’s official Facebook page, which described the discussion as cordial and friendly.

According to the post, the two sides exchanged views on Bangladesh’s current political and economic situation, trade and industry, the upcoming national election, state reforms, and the Rohingya issue. Ambassador Christensen reportedly praised Jamaat-e-Islami’s positive role in the country’s economic development and democratic progress. Both parties expressed optimism about strengthening future bilateral relations between Bangladesh and the United States.

The meeting was attended by officials from the US Embassy, including Political and Economic Counselor Eric Gillman, Public Officer Monica L. Sai, Political Officer James Stewart, and Political Specialist Firoz Ahmed. Jamaat representatives included Assistant Secretary General Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair, Executive Council Member Md. Mobarak Hossain, and Foreign Affairs Adviser Professor Dr. Mahmudul Hasan.

Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Principal Maulana Nur Ahmad Anwari for Cox’s Bazar-4 (Ukhiya–Teknaf) constituency called on voters to reject extortion, land grabbing, terrorism, and legal exploitation by showing a 'red card' to such practices. Speaking as the chief guest at an election rally held on Wednesday evening at Inani Government Primary School field in Jaliapalong Union, he urged citizens to vote for the 'scale' symbol to build a jobless, exploitation-free, and oppression-free Bangladesh.

Anwari criticized those who governed the country over the past 54 years, saying they failed to meet the people's aspirations and basic needs. He said establishing a people's government would require bringing the 11-party alliance led by Jamaat to power in the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. He described the election as a red card against dominance, tyranny, terrorism, and the trade of legal cases.

The rally was chaired by Maulana Muhammad Shah Alam and attended by local leaders from Jamaat and allied parties, including district and upazila representatives of the 11-party coalition.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has responded to BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman’s recent question about why former Jamaat leaders Matiur Rahman Nizami and Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujahid did not resign when they served as ministers in the BNP-led four-party alliance government. Speaking at a rally in Dhaka’s Karwan Bazar on Thursday in support of 11-party alliance candidate Saiful Alam Milon for the Dhaka-12 constituency, Dr. Rahman said that during their tenure in three ministries, even their strongest critics could not accuse them of dishonesty, corruption, or nepotism.

He further alleged that attacks on Jamaat activists across the country were destroying the “level playing field” for elections, claiming that women were being assaulted and the electoral environment was being disrupted through violence. Dr. Rahman warned that if the election process was hindered, the interim government and the Election Commission would have to bear responsibility.

He added that since August 5, Jamaat had not filed unjust cases or harassed anyone and pledged to congratulate whichever party forms the next government through a fair and acceptable election.

Turkey has stated that Iran’s stability is essential for regional security, according to a statement made during a National Security Council meeting chaired by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The meeting, held in Ankara, also reviewed developments in Gaza, Syria, and Ukraine, as reported by TRT World.

The council discussed recent events in Iran in detail and reaffirmed Turkey’s readiness to help rebuild Gaza and establish lasting peace in cooperation with its partners. Ankara reiterated its commitment to continue providing extensive humanitarian assistance to Gaza. The council also reaffirmed strong support for Syria’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political unity, pledging to continue efforts for the safety, stability, and prosperity of the Syrian people.

Support for Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity was also expressed. On Ukraine, Turkey said it would maintain efforts to end the war and achieve lasting peace as soon as possible.

Most rural voters across several upazilas remain unaware of the upcoming constitutional referendum scheduled for February 12, to be held alongside the 13th National Parliamentary Election. Despite government publicity efforts, many villagers do not understand what the ‘yes’ or ‘no’ vote means or why it is being held. Reports from Sunamganj and Dinajpur show that while voters are familiar with the parliamentary election, they are largely uninformed about the additional referendum ballot.

Local officials claim that awareness activities are underway, including banners, festoons, loudspeaker announcements, and leaflet distribution. However, residents say these campaigns are mostly limited to upazila centers and marketplaces, leaving remote villages uninformed. Some voters expressed confusion, saying they had only heard about the MP election, not the referendum.

District and upazila administrators have emphasized that the referendum vote is voluntary and that the government’s goal is to ensure voters understand the process before election day. Concerns remain that lack of awareness could cause confusion at polling centers.

In Rajshahi-5 (Puthia-Durgapur), election politics has intensified after two influential BNP leaders decided to contest as independent candidates despite being expelled for violating party discipline. The official BNP nominee, former Puthia Upazila chairman Professor Nazrul Islam, faces challenges from Barrister Rezaul Karim and industrialist Isfa Khairul Haque Shimul, both long-time local BNP figures. Their refusal to withdraw has deepened divisions within the party and created new calculations among grassroots activists.

Meanwhile, Jamaat-e-Islami, fielding its Puthia Upazila chief Munzur Rahman as a single candidate, is campaigning vigorously to exploit BNP’s internal conflict. Political analysts suggest Jamaat is determined to strengthen its position amid BNP’s disunity. Other contenders include candidates from the Bangladesh Supreme Party, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, and another independent.

Local voters have expressed mixed reactions, emphasizing performance over promises. With 349,138 registered voters in the constituency, observers note that the final outcome may hinge on how the rebel candidates influence BNP’s traditional vote base.

In Rangpur-3 constituency, comprising the city corporation and sadar upazila, BNP’s official candidate Shamsuzzaman Samu faces internal conflict as rebel candidate Rita Rahman enters the race. Both are accusing each other of wrongdoing to win voter support, creating an opening for other contenders including Jamaat’s Professor Mahbubur Rahman Belal, Jatiya Party chairman GM Quader, Islami Andolon’s Amiruzzaman Pial, BSD’s Abdul Kuddus, and independent candidate Anowara Islam Rani. Observers say these parties are working intensively to exploit BNP’s division.

The dispute began after BNP’s high command nominated Samu, prompting Rita Rahman to announce her independent candidacy, alleging corruption and demanding Samu’s nomination be revoked. Samu’s supporters claim Rahman lives abroad and lacks local commitment, while Rahman’s camp accuses Samu of extortion and being an outsider. District BNP leader and former MP Professor Paritosh Chakraborty warned that rebel candidates weaken the party and urged unity behind the official nominee.

Local analysts suggest the internal rift could shift votes toward Jamaat and other smaller parties, potentially altering the constituency’s electoral outcome.

The army arrested Sohel Jahan Chowdhury, a member of the Eidgaon Upazila unit of the Awami League in Cox’s Bazar, early Thursday morning from his home. The operation was led by Major Intisar Salim, in charge of the Islamabadh army camp, and Chowdhury was handed over to Cox’s Bazar Sadar Model Police Station. The local officer-in-charge confirmed the arrest, noting that Chowdhury had previously faced several serious cases, including murder and the July Revolution case, but had continued serving as a union chairman after the fall of the previous government.

Earlier, Chowdhury had been removed from his chairman post for absenteeism but recently reappeared in public, openly seeking votes for BNP candidate Lutfur Rahman Kajol in Cox’s Bazar-3 constituency. His sudden shift in political allegiance and campaign activities stirred widespread discussion and anger among Awami League supporters and anti-fascist student groups.

Local observers believe Chowdhury’s move to support the BNP was an attempt to avoid arrest and reestablish his political standing, though it reportedly caused unease within sections of the BNP itself.

At an election rally in Comilla’s Debidwar New Market area on Wednesday, NCP spokesperson Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan urged voters to support the 11-party alliance in the upcoming February 12 polls. He pledged that if the alliance comes to power, Comilla would be declared a division and those responsible for the killing of Hadi would be arrested within a month. Bhuiyan said voters should demand justice for Hadi’s murder from anyone seeking their votes.

Bhuiyan, who also chairs the NCP election steering committee, said Bangladesh stands at a historical crossroads and called on citizens to end 17 years of oppression by electing the alliance. He emphasized empowering youth through dignified employment and criticized nominations of “bank looters and foreign citizens.” He accused BNP leaders of attacking alliance candidates and women and of running conflicting campaigns regarding the referendum.

Other speakers, including NCP member-secretary Monira Sharmin and Jamaat-e-Islami leaders, echoed calls to vote for the alliance’s candidates and resist vote center takeovers. They urged voters to reject extortionists, loan defaulters, and foreign nationals in the election.

An opinion essay by Shahid Kamrul, published on January 29, 2026, examines Bangladesh’s political direction ahead of the next election. It questions whether the country will move toward restoring democratic values or continue under authoritarian control. The author criticizes the ruling Awami League for corruption, dynastic politics, and suppression of opposition, while noting that the BNP has weakened due to internal divisions and leadership crises. Jamaat-e-Islami is described as disciplined but still controversial. The essay argues that voters now seek a principled, transparent, and inclusive political alternative.

Kamrul outlines the characteristics of an ideal political party for Bangladesh—one that is ethical, policy-driven, and institutionally democratic rather than leader-centric. He emphasizes internal democracy, rule of law, social justice, education reform, equitable healthcare, environmental protection, and technological self-reliance. The essay draws on philosophical ideas from Locke, Habermas, and others to argue that true democracy requires pluralism and citizen participation.

The author concludes that building such a party is difficult within Bangladesh’s entrenched power structures and corruption, but essential for creating a just, self-reliant, and prosperous nation.

The central executive committee of Jubo Dal has withdrawn the expulsion order of M. Shahid, the Forest and Environment Affairs Assistant Secretary of Sunamganj District Jubo Dal. The decision was announced on Wednesday evening, January 28, 2026, through a press release issued on the party’s official letterhead. The release stated that the withdrawal came under the direction of Jubo Dal President Abdul Monayem Munna and General Secretary Mohammad Nurul Islam Nayon, with the notice circulated by Assistant Office Secretary Minhajul Islam Bhuiyan.

According to the statement, M. Shahid had earlier been expelled from all party positions, including primary membership, for alleged activities contrary to party principles and discipline. Following his appeal, the central leadership reviewed the matter and decided to revoke the expulsion. After the announcement, the official letter spread on social media, and party members and supporters congratulated him.

M. Shahid expressed gratitude to central leaders and local supporters, saying he had been a victim of conspiracy but continued receiving public support during his expulsion.

Dhaka South unit of Jamaat-e-Islami organized a protest rally and procession in the capital on Thursday following the killing of Rezau l Karim, secretary of Sherpur’s Sreebardi upazila Jamaat, in what the group described as a brutal attack by BNP activists. The rally took place after the noon prayer at the north gate of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, with senior Jamaat leaders and allied political candidates addressing the gathering.

Speakers including Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Maulana Abdul Halim, Advocate Moyazzem Hossain Helal, and NCP leader Nasiruddin Patwari condemned the killing and called for justice. They accused BNP of orchestrating violence against opposition candidates and vowed to respond through the ballot on February 12. Dhaka Jamaat’s Nayeb-e-Ameer Dr. Helal Uddin, who presided over the event, criticized the administration for failing to prevent the Sherpur incident and demanded the removal of partisan officials.

After the speeches, participants marched through several streets of the capital, reiterating their call for accountability and peaceful political competition.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman declared that he would sacrifice his life if necessary to protect people's rights, warning that any attempt to manipulate election results by force would be resisted by the youth. He made the remarks on Thursday afternoon at a rally in Dhaka’s Karwan Bazar in support of the 11-party alliance candidate Saiful Alam Milon for the Dhaka-12 constituency.

Dr. Rahman alleged that attacks on Jamaat activists across the country were destroying the level playing field and that violence against women and intimidation were undermining fair elections. He said the interim government and Election Commission would bear responsibility if the election process failed. He added that Jamaat had not filed unjust cases since August 5 and would congratulate whichever party formed the next government through a fair vote.

The Jamaat leader expressed optimism about victory, pledging to curb extortion, corruption, and terrorism if elected. He said 90 percent of extortion would end immediately under their rule and that the youth would be empowered as skilled nation-builders rather than dependents on allowances.

A views-exchange meeting was held in Dhamrai, Dhaka, where Mufti Ashraf Ali was nominated as the Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish candidate for the Dhaka-20 constituency under the ten-party alliance ahead of the upcoming parliamentary election. The event took place on Thursday at the Munno Community Center near the Dhaka-Aricha highway and was presided over by Mufti Ashraf Ali, president of the Dhaka district Khelafat Majlish.

Senior leaders including Professor Abdul Jalil, Maulana Nurul Haque, Amir Ali, Maulana Firoz Ahmed, Professor Saifuddin, and Rayhan Ali attended the meeting. Speakers expressed grief over the killing of Jamaat secretary Rezaul Karim in Jhenaigati, Sherpur, and called for an Islamic governance system to end injustice and oppression across Bangladesh.

During the meeting, Mufti Ashraf Ali vowed that if elected to parliament, he would end abduction, murder, and injustice in Dhamrai and work to make the area free from extortion, terrorism, and drugs.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman arrived in Rajshahi on Thursday to attend an election rally at the city’s historic Madrasa Maidan. From early morning, BNP leaders and activists from various upazilas and nearby districts gathered at the venue to see him and hear his speech. He reached Rajshahi by air from Dhaka around 12:30 p.m. and first visited the shrine of Hazrat Shah Makhdum (R.) before joining the rally.

According to party sources, Tarique Rahman is expected to seek votes for the BNP’s electoral symbol, the paddy sheaf, and present the party’s plans for public welfare and governance. After completing his Rajshahi program, he will travel by road to Bogura, addressing another rally at ATM Field in Naogaon on the way, and later attend a public meeting at Altafunnesa Field in Bogura at night.

Party leaders expressed hope that Tarique Rahman’s visit will energize BNP’s election campaign in northern Bangladesh and boost enthusiasm among grassroots activists.