Matiur Rahman Akanda, a member of Jamaat-e-Islami’s highest policy-making Central Executive Council, and his wife Sabikunnahar Munni together hold at least seven important posts in the party and its affiliated bodies, sparking resentment among leaders and activists.
The issue has gained fresh attention after Munni was recently nominated by Jamaat for a reserved women’s seat in parliament.
Analysts point out that Jamaat leaders have long criticised BNP and Awami League as dynastic parties. Now that multiple top posts in the party are held by members of the same family, questions are being raised.
According to party sources, Matiur Rahman Akanda currently serves as a member of the Central Executive Council and president of the Literature and Culture department. He is also the secretary of Bangladesh Lawyers Council, a pro-Jamaat lawyers’ organisation. Previously, he served as secretary of the party’s Central Publicity and Media department.
His wife Sabikunnahar Munni is a member of the Central Executive Council and serves as secretary for human resources, law and human rights of Jamaat’s women’s wing. She also holds the secretary position of the women’s wing of the Lawyers Council.
Speaking to TIMES of Bangladesh, Matiur Rahman Akanda defended the couple’s positions.
“Jamaat’s policy decision is that no more than one member from the same family will be members of parliament. We are firm on that matter,” he said.
“Munni has received the nomination not as my wife, but as a responsible person of the organisation,” he added.
Both husband and wife are lawyers by profession. Matiur is a former president of Islamic Chhatra Shibir, and Munni is a former president of Islamic Chhatri Sangstha.
Akanda contested and lost the election from Mymensingh-5 constituency in the 13th parliamentary election. His wife, however, has now received a nomination for a reserved seat, which has created fresh controversy.
Previous discontent
Matiur Rahman Akanda has long been active in the party’s legal affairs. During the Awami League regime, his friction with former party lawyer Tajul Islam over the legal battle in war crimes trials was widely discussed in party circles. Tajul Islam later left the party, bringing the conflict further to the fore.
There is also internal discontent regarding the distribution of responsibilities in the Lawyers Council. Allegations suggest that despite the presence of qualified lawyers such as Gias Uddin Mithu, Abdul Baten, Yusuf Ali and Shishir Monir, making Akanda the secretary has caused resentment.
On 29 March, Akanda drew criticism for positioning himself at the front during a ceremony to give flowers to the new Attorney General Ruhul Quddus Kazal, keeping senior lawyers behind him. However, few activists or leaders dare to speak openly against him due to his influential position, according to allegations.
Jamaat’s response
Responding to the criticisms, Jamaat’s Assistant Secretary General and head of the media department, Ahsanul Mahboob Jubayer, told TIMES that the party gives nominations based on merit and sacrifice, not personal identity.
“Akanda’s wife Munni was the president of the women’s student organisation. She now serves in a responsibility in the women’s wing as a member of the Executive Council. The party nominated her deeming her qualified. This does not conflict with Jamaat’s principles,” he said.
When contacted, Sabikunnahar Munni said she was outside and would speak later.
Analysts say family influence is nothing new in Bangladeshi politics. However, giving multiple important responsibilities to members of the same family in a party that has long accused others of dynastic politics raises questions about leadership development and internal balance.
