The Ministry of Religious Affairs has announced that intending pilgrims for Hajj 2026 must complete their primary registration by October 12, 2025. The ministry emphasized that the deadline, set in line with Saudi Arabia’s requirements, will not be extended.
In 2026, a total of 127,198 Bangladeshi pilgrims will be able to perform Hajj under both government and private management. Subject to the sighting of the moon, the holy pilgrimage is expected to be held in the last week of May 2026 in Saudi Arabia.

The Election Commission (EC) is set to hold a key meeting on Thursday to finalize the registration of new political parties, following field-level investigations and verification.

According to an EC circular, the 13th meeting of the commission’s committee on “delimitation, party registration, election preparations, polling centers, officials’ panels, and stakeholder consultations” will be chaired by Election Commissioner Md. Anwarul Islam Sarkar on September 11 at 11:30 a.m.

The agenda includes finalizing decisions on party registration applications. As per the EC’s roadmap, a public notice on eligible parties will be issued by September 14. Any objections or appeals will be heard between September 15 and 22. Final approval, gazette notification, and distribution of registration certificates are scheduled between September 23 and 30.

“We have sought district-wise investigation reports on 22 parties. Some reports are in progress while others are arriving,” said Commissioner Anwarul Islam.

The Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Brahmanbaria Sadar Model Police Station, Mozzafar Hossain, has been withdrawn and attached to the district police lines following a social media controversy.

Earlier, a post from his personal Facebook account appeared to endorse candidates backed by the Bangladesh Chhatra Dal (student wing of BNP) in the upcoming DUCSU election. The post read: “Best wishes for the talented ones. 21, 17, 08”—numbers corresponding to the ballot positions of the Chhatra Dal’s VP, GS, and AGS nominees.

Although the post was deleted within hours, it stirred widespread criticism since government officials are legally prohibited from political involvement or partisan expression.

Hossain later claimed that his Facebook account had been hacked and that he had already lodged a general diary with authorities. He assured that legal steps would be taken against the alleged hacker.

Islamic scholar Mamunul Haque has described the five-point ideological agreement signed between his party and the Awami League in 2006 as a “major milestone” in the history of Islamic politics in Bangladesh.

Speaking about the deal, Haque said it included demands such as enacting blasphemy laws, declaring Ahmadis (Qadianis) as non-Muslims, and granting state recognition to fatwas. “It was a remarkable achievement that even a historically anti-Islamist party like the Awami League accepted those terms,” he said.

Haque added that the agreement had sparked outrage among leftists and secularists but marked a turning point in Islamist politics. He also noted that past alliances—such as the four-party coalition and understandings with the Jatiya Party—were shaped by the common goal of protecting Islam, independence, and national interests. “Diplomatic compromises are part of political history,” he said.

British High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Sarah Cook, paid a courtesy call on Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman at his office on Wednesday. She was accompanied by Kate Ward, Second Secretary at the High Commission.

During the meeting, Cook inquired about Rahman’s health and wished him a full recovery. According to Jamaat sources, the discussion touched on Bangladesh’s prevailing political situation, democracy, the upcoming elections, human rights, minority rights, and the Rohingya crisis. They also discussed strengthening the longstanding ties between Bangladesh and the United Kingdom.

Brahmanbaria Sadar Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mozzafar Hossain has been withdrawn and attached to the district police lines after controversy over a Facebook post from his account.

The post, published Tuesday, wished success to Chhatra Dal’s DUCSU panel, referencing their ballot numbers: “Best wishes for the talented ones—21, 17, 08.”

Government officials noted that political endorsement by civil servants is prohibited. Although the post was deleted within hours, it sparked widespread debate.

Mozzafar later claimed his account had been hacked and that he was not responsible for the post. He said he had filed a general diary and informed higher authorities, promising legal action.

BNP leader Salauddin Ahmed has congratulated the winners of the DUCSU elections, acknowledging it as part of democratic tradition.
“Since elections were held after a long time, some irregularities did occur,” he noted.

On the impact of student politics on national elections, Ahmed said: “Many DUCSU leaders elected under major party banners later reached parliament. However, independent winners have not yet made it to the national stage.”

He also criticized media outlets for labeling candidates under the Sadiq Kayem–SM Farhad panel as “Shibir’s panel,” calling the reports misleading.

BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami have instructed their student fronts—Chhatra Dal and Chhatra Shibir—not to engage in clashes over the results of the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) election.

The directive came after government officials reached out to both parties’ leadership, warning that any unrest would be met with strict action by law enforcement agencies.

BNP leader Salauddin Ahmed confirmed, “We assured the government that Chhatra Dal will not engage in violence or disorder. We have informed our leaders accordingly.”
A Jamaat leader similarly stated that no outsiders would enter the university premises and instructed members to remain vigilant.

Sources revealed that three government advisors, the chief advisor’s special assistant, and the Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner also spoke with BNP and Jamaat leaders to ease tensions.

BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman has expressed firm support for Qatar following Israeli airstrikes in Doha.
“We stand in strong solidarity with the people of Qatar and its Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani,” Rahman said in a statement.

He urged international stakeholders to take urgent measures against Israel’s military aggression and ensure accountability for violating international laws and norms. Rahman also emphasized the need for an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages, and a united stance to protect humanity.

In Bagerhat, an all-party coalition committee has launched a 48-hour strike, demanding the restoration of the district’s four parliamentary seats.

From Wednesday morning, protesters set up blockades, burning tires at multiple points, effectively halting long-route bus services on 16 major routes, cutting off road connections to 21 districts.

The committee argues that the EC’s decision to cut one seat ignores Bagerhat’s geographic, demographic, and economic importance, which includes the Mongla Port, EPZ-industrial zone, and two UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Newly elected VP Sadiq Kayem dedicated his victory to the students of Dhaka University, saying:
“There is no winner or loser here—only the July generation and DU students have triumphed. I will safeguard this mandate with full responsibility, not as VP but as a brother.”

Kayem promised to:

Build DU into a complete academic institution

Ensure a safe campus for women

Unite students of all ideologies for progress

He called on all candidates to act as advisors, stressing that the fight for democracy that began with the July Movement would continue from Dhaka University.

Political commentator Hasnat Abdullah expressed concern over the excessive influence of political parties in the DUCSU election.

He wrote:
“DUCSU has become less about student mandates and more about a game of national party extensions. This sets a negative precedent.”

Hasnat warned that such practices could erode democracy and called on all parties to respect voters’ decisions. He emphasized building a culture where defeat is accepted as part of democratic growth and urged political actors to prioritize people’s aspirations over party interests.

The Election Commission has officially announced the DUCSU election results, confirming Sadiq Kayem as VP, S.M. Farhad as GS, and Mohiuddin Khan as AGS.

The final tally reflected earlier hall-level results, cementing decisive victories for the Shibir-backed panel in key positions.

Independent candidate Umama Fatema rejected the election results, declaring:
“Boycott! Boycott! I am rejecting this DUCSU election. It was a shamelessly rigged process. After August 5, the Dhaka University administration has delivered yet another disgrace to the nation under Shibir’s influence.”

In a separate social media post, she compared the election to “a circus.”

BNP-backed VP candidate Abidul Islam Abid and GS candidate Hamim also rejected the results, citing fraud, manipulation, and machine errors.

BNP-backed GS candidate Sheikh Tanvir Bari Hamim alleged widespread irregularities, vote rigging, and machine malfunctions during the counting process.

In a statement, Hamim said:
“If the students of Dhaka University believe this is their verdict, I accept it with respect. But the process was marred by fraud and technical flaws. I now await the students’ response.”

Despite a festive atmosphere throughout Tuesday’s polling, complaints of irregularities were reported from several centers, particularly during the counting stage.