Although Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman has accused rival parties of failing to ensure women’s safety, members of his own party are facing numerous allegations, including harassment, rape, sexual abuse and derogatory remarks targeting women.
Since 5 August 2024, at least 50 allegations of violence and abuse against women and children involving Jamaat-Shibir activists have been reported in the national media. Some of the cases include serious accusations of child sexual abuse and rape.
In several instances, the accused were reportedly released through local arbitration instead of facing legal proceedings. While disciplinary action was taken in only one or two cases, most allegations did not result in organisational penalties.
Women’s rights activists and gender experts say that although some public statements by the Jamaat ameer have projected a seemingly “moderate” stance on women’s safety and dignity, a growing number of incidents on the ground expose a stark contradiction.
The controversy has also extended to remarks made by the Jamaat chief himself. On 31 January, a post shared from the X account of Shafiqur Rahman triggered widespread backlash.
The post reads, “We believe that when women are pushed out of the home in the name of modernity, they are exposed to exploitation, moral decay, and insecurity. It’s nothing but another form of prostitution.”
Later that night, Jamaat-e-Islami claimed the account had been “hacked”. However, critics argue that even before the disputed post, statements and actions by party figures at grassroots level had already raised serious questions about Jamaat’s stance on women.
In a recent interview with Al Jazeera, Shafiqur Rahman was asked whether a woman could ever hold the party’s highest position. He replied unequivocally that it was “not possible”.
Earlier, on 24 January, remarks made at an election rally in Barguna by Jamaat’s district assistant secretary Md Shamim Ahsan sparked public outrage. During the event, he referred to the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (Ducsu) as a former “brothel”, prompting strong protests and condemnation. Facing widespread backlash, the party later relieved him of all organisational responsibilities.
Tania Haq, a professor at Dhaka University’s Department of Women and Gender Studies, says patterns of intimidation and abuse ahead of an election often signal how power may be exercised later.
“If someone resorts to threats or violence even before an election, it is natural to assume that once they win and come to power, they will act with even greater force,” she said, speaking to TIMES of Bangladesh.
She added that those in positions of power frequently use such abuse as a tool to exert dominance over others. “If state institutions fail to function effectively, this kind of violence is likely to continue — and even intensify,” she said.
These actions and remarks have further put Jamaat under scrutiny over its stated position on women’s dignity. Against this backdrop, the party’s own declared women-focused initiatives have also come into question.
A women’s rally, announced by Jamaat and scheduled to be held on 31 January, was later postponed. In a press release, the party said the planned women’s gathering had been deferred due to unavoidable circumstances.
Mardiya Momtaz, a member of the party’s women’s wing, said the decision was taken because organisers were unable to secure a suitable and safe venue, while election-related commitments had also placed additional pressure on party activities.
TIMES of Bangladesh attempted to contact Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair, who also oversees the party’s publicity and media affairs. Despite repeated calls, he did not respond.
Separately, AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad, an assistant secretary general of Jamaat and a former lawmaker from Cox’s Bazar-2, answered the phone but declined to comment on the matter.
Allegations of abuse involving Jamaat-Shibir men
A review of reports published in national media over the past year shows that several leaders and activists associated with Jamaat-Shibir have been accused in multiple cases of abuse and sexual violence against women and girls.
On 11 January, a court sent a school headteacher and local Jamaat leader to prison in Lakshmipur’s Raipur upazila following allegations of sexual harassment involving a fourth-grade student.
The accused, Abdur Rahim, 40, is a former general secretary of Jamaat’s Ward No 1 unit under Char Mohana Union Parishad. The case was filed on 24 September last year by the child’s mother, who alleged that her daughter had been sexually harassed at the accused’s residence.
In another case, filed on 28 October last year, a Jamaat leader in Indurkani upazila of Pirojpur was accused of detaining and raping a woman over two days after luring her with promises of employment. The survivor lodged the case against Nasir Uddin of Balipara Union.
Speaking to the media, Indurkani upazila Jamaat ameer Maulana Ali Hossain said Nasir Uddin had served as the Balipara Union Jamaat ameer but was expelled from the party in 2023 on charges of breaching organisational discipline.
However, local residents allege that despite the expulsion, Nasir Uddin has continued to hold the position of rukon — a senior level party member — and has remained visibly active in Jamaat’s meetings and political activities in Indurkani in recent months.
In several incidents involving child abuse, allegations have also emerged that local Jamaat leaders attempted to resolve cases through informal settlements and arbitration, effectively bypassing the legal process.
One such allegation relates to an incident on 13 October last year in Nazirpur upazila of Pirojpur, where a first-grade schoolgirl was allegedly raped by a local man, Md Dinu Fakir, 70. According to the complaint, local Jamaat leaders intervened to “settle” the matter.
Rights groups say such practices raise serious concerns about accountability and the protection of survivors, particularly when informal settlements are used in cases involving sexual violence against minors.
On 12 October 2025, party leaders in Khoksa upazila of Kushtia were accused of resolving an alleged rape of a third-grade schoolgirl through what they described as a “settlement”, after imposing a minor punishment on a Jamaat activist accused in the case.
In another case, police arrested a man named Jamal Uddin, 45, on 21 September 2025 in Tetulia upazila of Panchagarh over allegations of raping a madrasa student. Locals identified him as a Jamaat activist. Media reports said the accused admitted responsibility.
Earlier, on 29 August 2025, police arrested Hamidur Rahman Azad, 26, a local Shibir leader, in Sonagazi upazila of Feni on allegations of attempting to rape a schoolgirl, the daughter of a local Jamaat leader.
Investigators said the accused was a former president of the northern unit of the upazila branch of Islami Chhatra Shibir and remains involved in the organisation’s district-level politics.
On 6 June 2025, a woman filed a case with police in Baraigram upazila of Natore, alleging that she was tied to an electricity pole, physically abused and forced to sign divorce papers. The accused are Hasanur Rahman Hasan, 32, and Mohammad Harun Khan, 21, the president of the Baraigram Sadar Union unit of Shibir. Baraigram Police Station inspector Golam Sarwar confirmed the matter to the media.
On 20 February 2025, a 10-year-old child was allegedly raped in Maheshpur upazila of Jhenaidah. The accused, Moslem Uddin, 42, was identified as the publicity secretary of Ward No 5 of Swaruppur Union Jamaat and a local leader of Jamaat.
He was caught by local residents at the time of the incident and later handed over to police after being beaten.
