Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has postponed its previously announced mass rally scheduled for January 3, 2025. The decision was announced through a statement by Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar on the party’s verified Facebook page at 7:28 p.m. Sunday. The statement said the rally was deferred considering the interests of students who will sit for undergraduate admission tests at nine agricultural and agriculture-focused universities on the same day.

Earlier, Jamaat-e-Islami had declared that the rally would be held in the capital to demand the arrest and trial of those responsible for the killing of Inqilab Moncho convener Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, as well as the recovery of illegal weapons and the arrest of terrorists.

The party has not yet announced a new date for the rally, and the statement did not specify when it might be rescheduled.

Monira Sharmin, joint convener of the National Citizens Party (NCP), announced her withdrawal from the upcoming national election despite not resigning from the party. In a verified Facebook post on Sunday evening, she stated that she had been nominated to contest from Naogaon-5 but was unaware that the party would later reach a 30-seat agreement with Jamaat. She said she had expected the NCP to contest independently in all 300 constituencies.

Sharmin explained that the party’s changed position prompted her to step back from the election, emphasizing her belief in the NCP’s independent political strength. She said her commitment to the people and the spirit of the mass uprising outweighed her commitment to the party at this moment. She also announced plans to return all donations collected through crowdfunding for her campaign, noting that supporters had contributed based on the NCP’s independent stance.

Sharmin clarified that she has not decided to resign from the NCP, asserting that the party does not belong to any single individual. She added that she would not compromise her ethics for political power and would continue to speak for the people and new politics.

The Ministry of Education has released the 2026 academic year holiday schedule, reducing the total number of holidays by 12 days. Several holidays, including Shab-e-Meraj, Janmashtami, and Ashura, have been canceled. According to the published list, schools will remain open for much of the holy month of Ramadan, with the Ramadan and Eid-ul-Fitr holidays beginning on March 8, 2026. As Ramadan is expected to start on February 17, depending on the moon sighting, schools will remain open until the 21st day of Ramadan.

In 2025, there were 28 days of holidays for Ramadan, Doljatra, Independence Day, Jummatul Wida, Shab-e-Qadr, and Eid-ul-Fitr combined. For 2026, these holidays have been reduced to 19 days. The Eid-ul-Azha and summer vacation period has also been shortened from 15 to 12 days, and the winter vacation has been reduced by one day.

The revised schedule reflects the ministry’s effort to adjust the academic calendar and maintain more instructional days within the school year.

National Citizen Party (NCP) senior joint convener Samanta Sharmin stated on Sunday that she sees no justification for resigning from the party. In a Facebook post, she said she learned from Jamaat-e-Islami’s press conference that NCP had formally allied with Jamaat, which contradicts earlier statements made during the launch of the Democratic Reform Alliance. She noted that one of the three member parties, Rashtra Sangskar Andolon, had already accused NCP of breaching agreements and moving toward seat-sharing without formal notice.

Sharmin argued that such actions undermine the initiative to build a third political force and harm NCP’s core principles. She reaffirmed her support for the party’s official positions and said that while some individuals had deviated from NCP’s founding ideals in exchange for parliamentary seats, the party as a whole remained on the right path.

She reiterated that she subscribes to all official NCP statements and therefore finds no logical reason to step down from her position.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has announced the postponement of its previously scheduled mass rally on January 3. The decision was confirmed through a statement by Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar, posted on the party’s verified Facebook page at 7:28 p.m. on Sunday. The statement cited the upcoming undergraduate admission tests for the 2025–26 academic year at nine agricultural and agriculture-focused universities across the country as the reason for the postponement.

Earlier, Jamaat-e-Islami had declared plans to hold the rally in the capital to demand the arrest and trial of those responsible for the killing of Inqilab Mancha convener Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, as well as the recovery of illegal weapons and the arrest of alleged terrorists.

The party has not yet announced a new date for the rally, and no further details were provided in the statement regarding future plans.

Omar Hadi, elder brother of Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi, founder and spokesperson of Inquilab Moncho, confirmed on Sunday evening that no member of their family will participate in the national election. He made the statement to the newspaper Amar Desh, ending speculation about possible family involvement in the polls.

Following Osman Hadi’s death, there had been widespread speculation over who might contest from his constituency, with his elder sister’s name being mentioned in discussions. Osman Hadi was shot on December 12 in the Paltan area after Friday prayers. He was first treated in Bangladesh and later transferred to Singapore, where he died on December 18. His body was brought back to Dhaka on December 19 and buried on December 20 beside the grave of national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam at Dhaka University.

The family’s decision not to contest the election appears to close speculation surrounding succession in Osman Hadi’s constituency.

The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) suspended all passenger vessel operations across the country on Sunday evening, citing dense fog as the reason. The suspension began after sunset from Dhaka’s Sadarghat terminal, halting launches bound for Chandpur and the southern regions. A special navigation notice confirmed the shutdown and instructed vessels already en route to follow the Inland Water Transport Ordinance of 1976.

According to BIWTA officials stationed at Sadarghat, launches to Barishal and other southern destinations usually depart after evening, but they had not received prior warnings from the Meteorological Department about the heavy fog. The sudden suspension left many passengers stranded and facing difficulties at the terminal.

The BIWTA also extended the suspension directive to other regions, indicating that all passenger launches nationwide would remain halted until visibility improves.

National Citizen Party (NCP) member secretary Akhtar Hossain said that resignations by party leaders are a normal part of political development and will not significantly affect the party. He made the remarks on Sunday afternoon while speaking to journalists at the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) Court in Dhaka, where he appeared to seek bail in two separate cases.

Akhtar explained that since the formation of the NCP, many people have joined and some have resigned, which he described as a natural flow in politics. He emphasized that the party respects individual decisions and recalled that similar resignations in the past did not harm the organization despite earlier concerns.

Earlier that day, Akhtar Hossain surrendered before the court in two cases filed at Shahbagh Police Station on charges of attempted murder and obstructing government work. After the hearings, two separate courts of Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrates Awlad Hossain Mohammad Junaid and Joshita Islam granted him bail.

Nagorik Oikya president Mahmudur Rahman Manna has filed an application with the Appellate Division’s chamber judge after the High Court rejected his writ seeking removal of his name from the loan defaulter list. The chamber judge, Justice Md Rezaul Haque, has kept the hearing on the petition seeking a stay on the High Court order as stand over or postponed.

On December 24, the High Court dismissed Manna’s writ, creating uncertainty about his eligibility to contest in the upcoming election. Deputy Attorney General Muhammad Shafiqul Rahman told reporters that Manna had repaid part of his loan before filing the writ, requesting the removal of his name from the Credit Information Bureau (CIB) list, which would have allowed him to participate in the election. However, the court was not satisfied with the explanations provided by his lawyers and dismissed the petition.

According to Bangladesh Bank regulations, a borrower must deposit at least two percent of the loan amount. Manna’s lawyers stated that he had paid more than that, but the High Court ruled that it would not direct Bangladesh Bank to remove his name from the CIB list. The court also noted that the concerned Islami Bank branch would inform the central bank about the repayment details.

Bangladeshi expatriates in France have announced continued protests demanding justice for the killing of Shahid Sharif Osman Hadi, a spokesperson of Inquilab Moncho and a frontline participant in the July uprising. At a discussion and prayer meeting held last Friday evening in the Ponta area near Paris, they warned of launching a global 'remittance shutdown' campaign if fair trial proceedings are not ensured.

The event was organized by the Shahid Osman Hadi Supporters Forum and chaired by senior journalist Abdul Mannan Azad. It was conducted by forum convener and expatriate journalist Mohammad Kamaruzzaman, with several community leaders and activists addressing the gathering. Speakers highlighted Hadi’s role as a unifying figure beyond political divisions and pledged to continue their movement until justice is achieved and an equitable Bangladesh is established.

The meeting concluded with a prayer session led by Maulana Badrul Bin Harun of MC Institute France, attended by numerous expatriate activists and journalists.

Tasnim Jara, the senior joint member secretary of the National Citizens Party (NCP), has resigned from her position and dismissed speculation that she might join the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). She confirmed on Sunday, December 28, that there is no possibility of her joining the BNP. The announcement followed her earlier statement on Saturday through her verified Facebook page, where she declared her intention to contest the upcoming election as an independent candidate.

To qualify as an independent candidate, Jara has begun collecting signatures from one percent of voters in her constituency, Dhaka-9, which includes Khilgaon, Sabujbagh, Mugda, and Manda areas. The constituency has a total of 469,300 registered voters, requiring her to gather 4,693 signatures. The signature collection drive began on Sunday morning and reportedly received a strong response.

According to the Representation of the People Order, independent candidates must submit a list of supporting voters’ signatures along with their nomination papers. The deadline for submitting nomination papers for the 13th National Parliamentary Election is Monday, leaving Jara limited time to complete the process.

Education adviser Professor Dr. Chowdhury Rafiqul Abrar stated that the government made its utmost effort to ensure high-quality and error-free textbooks for students. He made the remarks on Sunday during the inauguration of the ‘2026 academic year textbook softcopy upload’ program. Despite various obstacles and pressures, he said no shortcomings were allowed in fulfilling this responsibility.

Abrar explained that the Ministry of Education and the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) held multiple meetings to ensure textbook accuracy. Around 250 skilled teachers from Dhaka schools worked for weeks editing hard copies, while about 6,000 teachers nationwide provided feedback online. Their verified suggestions were incorporated through an expert committee. Printing challenges such as unpaid bills, bank loans, electricity supply, and book transport were addressed through continuous supervision by ministry officials.

He added that 26 printing institutions have completed full delivery of textbooks, with six more expected to finish by tomorrow. The government chose to rely on domestic printers instead of foreign printing or direct purchase proposals, emphasizing trust in local capacity.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman announced that the party’s seat-sharing agreement within its political alliance is nearly complete. Speaking at a press conference at the National Press Club in Dhaka on Sunday at 5 p.m., he said the coalition aims to ensure a fair election. He emphasized that the alliance is not limited to electoral cooperation but also focuses on political movements and national development.

Dr. Rahman stated that although more parties had shown interest, they could not all be included. The alliance, originally comprising eight like-minded parties, has now expanded with the inclusion of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). He added that final seat allocations will be determined after nomination papers are submitted, based on fairness.

The press conference was conducted by Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish Ameer Mamunul Haque and attended by senior leaders from the allied parties, including retired Colonel Oli Ahmed and representatives from Islami Andolon Bangladesh and other member organizations.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami chief Dr. Shafiqur Rahman announced the formation of a ten-party electoral alliance led by Jamaat, incorporating the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). He made the statement at a press conference held at the National Press Club in Dhaka on Sunday afternoon. Rahman said discussions on seat distribution among alliance members were nearly complete, with only minor issues remaining due to the late inclusion of two parties. He assured that the final seat allocation would be announced soon.

The alliance now includes ten parties: Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Bangladesh Khelafat Andolan, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish, Khelafat Majlish, Nezame Islam Party, Jatiya Ganatantrik Party, Bangladesh Development Party, LDP, and NCP. Rahman noted that although several other parties had shown interest, they could not be included in the coalition. He emphasized that seat distribution would be finalized after nomination submissions and would be based on fairness.

The press conference was moderated by Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish chief Mamunul Haque and attended by senior leaders from eight allied parties.

The National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) has released online versions of all 2026 academic year textbooks as concerns grew that not all students would receive printed copies on time. Starting Sunday, students from primary, ibtedayi, secondary, and dakhil levels can read and download free PDF versions of their textbooks from the NCTB website. The launch event was inaugurated by Education Adviser Professor Dr. Chowdhury Rafiqul Abrar and Mass Education Adviser Professor Dr. Bidhan Ranjan Roy Poddar.

According to NCTB, a total of 647 textbooks covering pre-primary, primary (Bangla and English versions), ibtedayi, five indigenous languages, secondary (Bangla and English versions), dakhil, dakhil (vocational), and technical levels are now available online. The board reported that 100 percent of pre-primary and primary textbooks—totaling 117,046,461 copies—were printed and distributed nationwide by December 16. Printing and distribution for other levels are nearing completion, with 78.72 percent of ibtedayi and secondary books printed and 58.68 percent delivered.

NCTB expects that at least 80 percent of secondary students will receive their printed books on the first day of the new year, with the remainder distributed within days.