Jamaat chief Shafiqur vows to launch women-only evening bus service if elected

“Who am I to prevent my mother from serving society?” says Shafiqur Rahman

Jamaat-e-Islami chief Shafiqur Rahman has said his party will introduce evening bus services exclusively for women if it comes to power, aiming to ensure safe and hassle-free travel for working women.

Addressing a rally in Dhaka’s Jatrabari on Sunday, Shafiqur said women currently face serious challenges related to safety and dignity.

“Women today lack two basic things -- one is security and the other is their dignity. We promise that at home, on the streets or at the workplace, we will ensure your security with the utmost priority and restore your dignity.”

“No oppressor will dare to harass you anymore. You will not be subjected to humiliation at the workplace under any circumstances. You will work with dignity and security. While commuting, especially during peak hours in major cities including the capital, we will introduce evening bus services exclusively for women.”

He also suggested reserving the lower decks of government-run double-decker buses for women, citing easier access and comfort.

“Arrangements will be made for them to travel with dignity. In government double-decker buses, the upper deck can be difficult for mothers to access and may cause different problems. The lower deck will be reserved for them.”

The Jamaat chief added, “We, the men, will take the trouble of sitting on the upper deck. If we don’t get seats, we will walk, take rickshaws or ride bikes, but we must show respect to our mothers.

“Because we believe that our mothers’ honour is more important than our lives."

Stressing the equal role of men and women in building society, he said: “Just as a family is formed by men and women together, a country and society are also built through their combined contributions. Ignoring one part and trying to develop the other is impossible.”

“Now, you may ask whether our mothers will work outside the home. Yes, of course they will. You may ask why, when it is said that the home is their primary place?”.

“Didn’t the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) involve our mothers as participants in every risky battle? Who am I to prevent my mother from serving society? There is no work more difficult under the sky and on the earth than war.”

He also outlined plans focused on youth employment, saying his party would prioritise skills development over welfare payments.

“We don't want to provide unemployment allowances to our youth. We want to turn the hands of our young men and women into the hands of the craftsmen of Bangladesh.”

“A skilled hand doesn't look for charity. A skilled hand creates and contributes to the country. We want to take our youth—both young men and women—to that place of honour and dignity. We will not make people unemployed by giving allowances; rather, we will try to make the unemployed eligible for employment.”