Jamaat ameer urges party to work 24/7 for city polls

Dr Shafiqur Rahman, ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, has urged party leaders and activists to work-round-the-clock to ensure success in upcoming city corporation elections, stressing the need to learn from past weaknesses and avoid repeating mistakes.

“We must put in our maximum effort and work day and night for the upcoming city elections,” he said.

The leader of the opposition made these comments while speaking as the chief guest at discussion, styled “Rukon (member) Conference”.

The event was held for members of Jamaat’s Dhaka north unit at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in Dhaka’s Agargaon on Friday. Ameer of Jamaat’s Dhaka north unit Mohammad Selim Uddin chaired the discussion, while its Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar spoke as a special guest.

Jamaat’s members’ conference for its Dhaka south unit was also held at the same venue. The conferences took place to elect separate chiefs for the two units for the next two years through direct votes.

The party’s organisational influence in Dhaka has grown in recent years. Jamaat won seven parliamentary seats in Dhaka in the last national election, while its candidates narrowly lost in five other constituencies. 

The leadership elections are expected to shape the party’s organisational direction in the capital over the next two years, as it prepares for upcoming political contests. 

Addressing the conference of the Dhaka north unit, Shafique reiterated that the ultimate determination of who governs the country rests solely with its people. He called for building a united public resistance against corruption and misrule. 

As part of the party’s civic outreach, the Jamaat Ameer formally launched a citizen service mobile application, called “Nagorik Sheba”, developed by the Dhaka north unit. 

According to party men, the app will offer over 50 different public service facilities to city residents.

Referring to the national election, Shafique claimed that people had voted for Jamaat-e-Islami but their votes were taken away. 

He emphasised the importance of grassroots organisations and recalled that both the Dhaka north and south units had once been organisationally weak.  “The sacrifices of party members had helped bring the organisation to its present position,” he said.

The Jamaat chief also emphasised integrity, sacrifice and accountability. He said the party’s ultimate goal is to attain paradise and acknowledged the contribution of low-income people, particularly those who earn their living on a daily basis.  Claiming that 70% of the people who took part in the 2024 mass uprising were daily wage earners, he said their contributions are also significant.

The Jamaat ameer further called for building a society governed on the basis of the Quran, expressing hope that the party would receive divine guidance and support in its efforts.

In his speech, Golam urged the party’s members to uphold ethical values and strengthen their spiritual and organisational discipline.

He said the party’s members would have to demonstrate their dedication through sustained efforts in the upcoming mayoral elections to achieve their objectives in both mayoral and councillor contests.