Published : 05 Oct 2025, 12:57 AM
Updated : 21 Aug 2026, 01:53 PM
Jamaat-e-Islami chief Shafiqur Rahman has expressed hope that the country’s Islamic scholars, known as Ulama, will provide leadership not only in mosques but also in national affairs.
On Saturday, he said involvement of ulama in societal governance could “eliminate” all forms of malpractices from the country.
Rejecting division of the nation along religious lines, he said: “According to the latest census, 90.8 percent of the population are Muslims, while the rest are Hindus, Buddhists, and Christians.
“Yet, we oppose dividing the nation on religious grounds. We envision a united Bangladesh.”
He highlighted the country’s long-standing communal harmony during an address at an Islamic gathering in Dhaka’s Moghbazar.
“Bangladesh has been home to Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, and Christians living together for decades. Globally, few nations can claim such interfaith harmony, and Bangladesh holds a special place among them,” he said.
Shafiqur emphasised that individuals have the freedom to choose religion through conscience, adding: “Allah has endowed humans with reasoning and insight. People will accept faith through reflection and understanding.”
Addressing the nation’s challenges, he said: “In times of crisis, the Ulama and educated leaders must show the way. Even decades after independence, Bangladesh has yet to establish a humane and responsible society. The nation relies on ulama to guide it through difficulties.”
He urged all citizens to stay united, avoiding internal conflicts.
“Their [Ulama] active role in societal management will eradicate wrongdoing. An educated few may harm the nation, but not millions of ordinary people; here, the Ulama have a special responsibility to awaken and alert the nation,” he said.
