Jamaat-e-Islami pledges ‘safe Bangladesh’ in 26-point election manifesto

Jamaat-e-Islami has unveiled its election manifesto before the national election, pledging to build a “safe and humane Bangladesh” by prioritising 26 key areas of governance.

The manifesto was announced on Wednesday evening at a programme at Hotel Sheraton in Banani, where party chief Shafiqur Rahman formally presented the document.

Jamaat will contest in the election as part of an 11-party alliance.

Titled “Manifesto for a Safe and Humane Bangladesh”, the document outlines 26 priority issues grouped under 10 broad commitments, detailing the party’s plans for running the state if voted to power.

Ahead of and following the formal announcement, the party screened two video presentations highlighting its vision, goals and policy commitments for the future.

Addressing controversy over a social media post from his X account that drew criticism as “misogynistic”, Shafiqur said he had forgiven those who attacked him and rejected what he termed “politics of revenge”.

 “I am like a wounded bird now,” he said, adding that he did not believe in retaliation.

 “If I cannot forgive others, how will I ask forgiveness for my own mistakes?”

He said there was little peace both at home and abroad before the election, describing a sense of widespread distress, and criticised corruption, looting and money laundering during the previous government’s tenure.

Jamaat, he said, was committed to building a corruption-free country based on justice and fairness for all.

In a lengthy speech, Shafiqur outlined the changes his party aims to bring if elected, saying, “I do not seek Jamaat’s victory; I seek the victory of 180 million people.”

He said millions of people from grassroots to national level had contributed opinions to the drafting of the manifesto, which he described as people-friendly, business-friendly, peace-oriented and discipline-focused.

Among the pledges, he promised arrangements to repatriate the bodies of expatriate Bangladeshis at state expense, employment opportunities instead of unemployment allowances, improved working hours for women, and pensions and healthcare for retired citizens.

 “We want to build a country where even a youth from a tea garden can become prime minister,” he said.

Calling the manifesto a “living document” rather than a mere party programme, Shafiqur urged citizens to see it as a national commitment reflecting political accountability to society.

The manifesto launch was attended by leaders of political parties, business figures, diplomats and Jamaat’s professional supporters, including teachers, lawyers and doctors.