Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman has said that many people now see the party as a contender for state power — a perception he noted was absent in the past.
He made the remarks on Friday while addressing a conference of district, upazila and thana ameer-level leaders from the Rangpur–Dinajpur region at the auditorium of Rangpur Model College.
Shafiqur urged party leaders and activists to remain cautious in their financial dealings and personal conduct, saying they were now under increased public scrutiny.
“The spotlight is now fixed on you from two directions,” he said. “One is from Allah Almighty, the other from the people. Both must be respected and honored. Those who wear white clothes remain very careful not to stain them. But even the smallest stain becomes highly visible. You are wearing white clothes — if a stain appears, there will be consequences.”
He added that public trust would be decisive in determining the party’s political future.
“The day people become convinced that the country, the nation and religion are safe in our hands, then by the grace of Allah all streams will converge at one point and form an ocean,” he said. “We must work towards that goal. Our conduct and transactions must be more careful than before.”
Reiterating the changing political perception, he said Jamaat was previously not seen as a contender for power.
“Previously, no one thought Jamaat would become a contender for power. People only believed the party would survive as an effective political force. Now many think you could emerge as a challenger for power. That is why every one of you will be under intense scrutiny. Not even a single hair on your body will remain outside the spotlight,” he said.
The event was chaired by the party’s assistant secretary general and regional director Maulana Abdul Halim. Central leaders including assistant regional director Maulana Momtaz Uddin and regional committee member Mahbubur Rahman Belal MP also spoke.
Earlier in the morning, Dr Shafiqur arrived in Rangpur on a day-long visit and was accorded a guard of honour by metropolitan police at the Circuit House. He later attended the ameer conference at the Model College auditorium. After Friday prayers, he is scheduled to inaugurate a mosque and later address a civic gathering at the District Shilpakala Academy auditorium.
