Bangladesh Islamist Leader Seeks Victory After 2024 Coup

World

Bangladesh Voters Face Election After Islamist Leader’s Rise

Voters in the Muslim-majority nation of Bangladesh will cast their ballots for the first time since a 2024 uprising that toppled Sheikh Hasina. She served as prime minister for nearly a decade, cracking down on Islamist movements.

Now, voters face another round of elections, with prominent candidates seeking to seize power. Shafiqur Rahman, leader of Bangladesh’s largest Islamist party and Jamaat-e-Islami, is running in the upcoming polls. At 67, he was previously imprisoned as a former political prisoner but has emerged from jail to campaign for leadership.

Rahman, who served in parliament three times (in 1996, 2001, and 2018), promises “good governance” and pledges rule-based, corruption-free leadership. His party, which also includes other Islamist groups largely ideologically aligned with the Muslim Brotherhood, has put forward only male candidates for this election.

As part of his campaign, Rahman emphasized moral renewal in society. However, his victory could threaten the rights of minorities. Some women have expressed concern about Rahman’s stance on gender issues and his statements suggesting women should not be “pushed out” of their homes, a position seen as contradictory to his party’s inclusivity claims.

Despite concerns from some quarters, Rahman’s supporters argue that protecting minority rights is part of his inclusive agenda. He has put one Hindu candidate on the party slate and promised a balanced foreign policy with India, which includes conciliatory tones but also demands restrictions on cultural activities deemed “anti-Islamic.”

This election is particularly significant as Bangladesh has historically been led by powerful women in its leadership, including former Prime Ministers Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia. Rahman’s rise poses an opportunity for the first Islamist-led government in a constitutionally secular country.

The prospect of Rahman becoming prime minister has already sparked controversy among some voters, leading to symbolic marches and criticisms. The election will determine whether Bangladesh can move forward with its next chapter under new leadership.