Jamaat confirms party logo change after controversy

Mia Golam Porwar says new designs are being considered after a redesigned emblem seen during a meeting with a European delegation sparked backlash

Jamaat-e-Islami has confirmed it is in the process of changing its party logo after a redesigned emblem that dropped Quranic text and introduced flag-like imagery sparked criticism within the party and beyond.

On Tuesday, the party's Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar said that new designs were being considered and a final version would be approved by the Jamaat's apex policy-making forum.

“Yes, we have decided to change our logo. A new logo is being prepared. We have already discussed three or four designs,” he said at a media briefing in Dhaka's Moghbazar.

“Some of these are being edited, and the final version will be approved unanimously by our decision-making forum. Once finalised, we will inform you.”

The controversy began on Sept 28, when a redesigned emblem appeared on the wall of Jamaat chief Shafiqur Rahman’s office during a meeting with Spanish Ambassador Gabriel Cistiaga Ochoa de Chinchetru and a European Union delegation.

The design featured a rising sun above an open book placed against a green backdrop, with a pen forming the crossbar of the party’s familiar electoral symbol, the scales. On either side of the book, short parallel lines were drawn. Conspicuous in their absence were the Islamic elements that had marked Jamaat’s previous emblem -- the Arabic word for Allah, the scales in their original form, and the Quranic phrase “Aqimud Deen”.

The omission prompted heated debate on social media and unrest among sections of the party’s base.

'NOT THE FINAL LOGO'

Porwar moved to clarify that the emblem seen during the diplomatic meeting was only "experimental".

“What appeared that day was prepared in an experimental way and used as decoration during the foreign guests’ visit. Many assumed it was our official logo. I don’t blame them for thinking so, but it's not the final logo,” he said.

He added that the final decision had not yet been made.

“An organisation can change its logo. Our logo is still under revision and editing. What you saw is not the final version. Once it is officially finalised, we will explain it to the media.”