Speaking at a large campaign rally in Sylhet, Shafiqur Rahman told supporters that Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami seeks a mandate to “be the nation’s guardians, not its owners,” vowing dignity and equal respect for all citizens.
Addressing the crowd at the Government Alia Madrasa ground, he urged voters to give the party “one chance,” promising visible national change within five years and framing the agenda around youth aspirations and service delivery. He said Bangladesh has endured “54 years of politics of oppression,” adding that after August 5, 2024, the party adopted—and remains committed to—a policy of no retaliation.
Rahman highlighted regional grievances, claiming people in greater Sylhet are not receiving a fair share of local mineral wealth and that pockets still lack reliable gas and electricity. He pledged river dredging and stewardship—“turning the country into a river-friendly state”—and said his party would act against narcotics and other social harms.
On governance, he promised to end extortion and bribery in public offices, arguing that “real development” depends on curbing corruption. He alleged decades of plunder and warned that anyone who stole public money would face accountability if his party assumed office. He also criticized the city’s airport as “international in name only,” vowing practical upgrades to make it a functioning international gateway.
The event, organized by the Sylhet district and metropolitan units of Jamaat, featured leaders from the party’s 11-party electoral alliance. Rahman concluded by introducing coalition candidates from Sylhet constituencies and reiterating his call for a mandate to deliver “service, security, and dignity” across Bangladesh.