Newly elected Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Dr, Shafiqur Rahman took oath as the Ameer of the organization for the session 2020-2022. Jamaat’s chief election commissioner Maulana ATM Masum conducted the oath taking event in an auditorium of capital this morning. Among others, Jamaat’s outgoing Ameer Maqbul Ahmad, Party’s Nayeb-e-Ameer and former MP Professor Mujibur Rahman, Nayeb-e-Ameer and former MP Professor Mia Gulam Parwar, party’s Assistant Secretary General Maulana Rafiqul Islam Khan, Assistant Secretary General and former MP Hamidur Rahman Azad and other executive committee members were present on the occasion. Following the formalities, the newly elected Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman delivered the following address.
At the onset, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said, “all praises to Almighty Allah who has sanctioned Islam as the only code of life. Allah has continued to bestow His blessing upon us during all adversities. You all have informed that, the members of Jamaat-e-Islami have elected Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami. In this crucial moment, I am seeking your kind assistances, support and mostly the blessing of Allah in discharging the duties of ideological, systematic, democratic and people’s desired progressive party like Jamaat-e-Islami. expressed his deep gratitude to Almighty Allah. He sought the assistances and prayer from the countrymen so that he can discharge the duty properly. He also wholeheartedly thanked the outgoing Ameer Maqbul Ahmad for his tremendous contribution for Jamaat-e-Islami.
I would like to show my respect to Mr. Maqbul Ahmad who has served this organization as Ameer-e-Jamaat in a very crucial period of time. He will remain as our guardian always. May Allah bless him with long life. May Allah accept all his efforts and contributions.
I am recalling those heroes, who had sacrificed their lives to build Islamic society, to facilitate the freedom of humanity and the rights of the people. In this month of victory, I would like to recall our martyrs and valiant freedom fighters. We have received the glorious independence in exchange of their highest sacrifices. I am remembering the architect of Bangladesh later Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, martyr President Ziaur Rahman, Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani and General Ataul Gani Osmani.
I would like to remember former Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, language movement hero and Ex-GS of DUCSU Professor Ghulam Azam, former Ameer-e-Jamaat and Ex-minister Shaheed Maulana Matiur Rahman Nizami, former Secretary General of Jamaat-e-Islami and former minister Shaheed Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujahid, former Assistant Secretary General Shaheed Muhammad Kamaruzzaman, Shaheed Abdul Quader Molla and former central executive committee member Shaheed Mir Quasem Ali who had worked hard throughout their lives to make Bangladesh a welfare state as per the light of the Islamic ideology.
The government had executed all of them in order to attain their political interest. May Allah accept their martyrdoms. In addition, I would like to recall former senior Nayeb-e-Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami Maulana AKM Yousuf, who had died inside the prison in the wake of government’s repression and torture. I am also remembering former Nayeb-e-Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami Professor AKM Nazir Ahmad, who also died because of government’s oppression. I am also recalling those brothers and sisters of Jamaat-e-Islami, Chhatrashibir and Chhatrishangstha who have sacrificed their lives in the struggle for establishing Islam.
I am further recalling the Nayeb-e-Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and former MP Maulana Abdus Subhan and world-renowned religious scholar and preacher of Quran Allama Delwar Hossain Sayedee and the detained Assistant Secretary General of Jamaat-e-Islami ATM Azharul Islam. They all have been remaining behind the bar for years as they became the victim of government’s political vengeance. Even the government has deprived all of them to receive due medical care and treatment.
Dr. Shafiqur Rahman vehemently criticizes the administration for their strategy of extra-judicial killings and abduction. He also urged the authorities concerned to withdraw all the false and concocted cases, filed against the leaders and activists of Jamaat-e-Islami, Chhatrashibir and Chhatrishangstha and simultaneously demanded immediate release of the detained party workers. He also called upon the government to take adequate measures to ensure due medical treatment of the ailed political prisoners.
There is no existence of democratic practices in the country, claimed Dr. Shafiqur Rahman. This government is not elected by people, he added. He accused the Awami League administration of holding an election of forgery, rigging and irregularities. He pointed out the absence of an elected government for a long time behind the ongoing crisis and deteriorated law and order situation.
Referring the comment of former Chief Justice S K Sinha, Jamaat Ameer expressed his frustration over the executive interference upon the judiciary. For the social anarchy, he blamed fragile educational system and the aggression of the foreign culture.
Dr. Shafiqur Rahman blamed the foreign policy of the government for the existing Rohingya crisis, civilian citizen’s killing at the frontier and recent incidents of push-in by neighboring India. He protested and condemned ongoing oppression and crackdown against the Muslims all over the world. He also drew the attention of the UN, OIC and other international platforms to stop such repression.
He hailed the constructive programs of Jamaat-e-Islami since its establishment. Jamaat-e-Islami will continue to play role to spread education, to improve health care and to eradicate unemployment crisis, he assured.
Jamaat’s new Ameer urged the civil society members, intellectuals and the religious scholars to evaluate Jamaat-e-Islami positively and constructively. He urged the party activists to maintain patience and wisdom in upholding the true spirit of the Islamic movement.
He urged the Jamaat leaders to stand by the victims of the oppression. He also put emphasis on Dawah activities and told that, family members, relatives and the neighbors deserve to receive such dawah (preaching of Islam) first.
Jamaat Ameer motivated the party leaders and activists to focus more in the success in the hereafter rather than the worldly success. He also recommended to gain excellence in character, morality, nobility and behavioral perspective.
The newly elected Jamaat Ameer called for broad base unity among all political and professional platforms. He announced to continue the struggle to build this country.
A short Profile of Dr. Shafiqur Rahman
The newly elected Jamaat Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman was born in an eminent Muslim family at Kulaura Upazila, in Moulivibazar District in 31 October, 1958. His father was late Abru Mia and his mother was late Khatibun Nesa. His current address is located in the Sabujbagh area under Shah Poran thana of the Sylhet city. He obtained his MBBS degree in 1983 from Sylhet Medical College. In his student life, he served as the Sylhet city President of Bangladesh Islami Chhatrashibir.
He became the member of Jamaat’s central Majlish-e-Shura in 1985. From 1986 to 1988, he became the secretary of Sylhet district Jamaat-e-Islami. From 1989 to 1991, he became the Nayeb-e-Ameer of Sylhet district and from 1991 to 1998, he discharged his duty as the Sylhet district Jamaat Ameer. He became the Ameer of Sylhet city Jamaat Ameer in 1998 and served the organization over there till 2007. He became the central working committee member of Jamaat-e-Islami in 1998. He became the Assistant Secretary General of Jamaat-e-Islami in 2010. Dr. Shafiq became the member of the central executive committee in 2011. He served the organization as the acting secretary general since September 2011. From 2017 till now, he is discharging duty as the Secretary General of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami.
The incumbent government imprisoned him for twice in connection with some false and concocted cases. He played significant role to secure people’s voting rights and also in different democratic movement of the country.
He is the chairman of a non-government medical college and hospital. He is serving a High School & College and simultaneously as the chairman of the management committee of another high school. He has founded several orphanages, mosques, charity organizations and voluntary clubs. Besides, he performed duty as the Management committee chairman of Kamil Madrasa.
He visited Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Spain, Greece, Belgium, Turkey, Malaysia, United Arab Emirates, Philippines, and Brunei.
In last 11th parliamentary election Dr. Shafiqur Rahman contested from Dhaka-15 constituency. Amid severe irregularities and rigging, his all polling agents were forcefully expelled from the centers. However, he bagged more than 39 thousand votes, which is highest in number among all the opposition backed candidates in the capital.
He is blessed with two sons and a daughter. His wife, Dr. Amina Shafique was member of the 8th national parliament. His two daughters have completed their higher studies. His elder daughter studied FCPS in Cardiology as well as working as Registrar of a medical college. Another daughter is also an MBBS doctor. His only one son is a student of MBBS final year.
