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{{short description|Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami politician}}{{other people}}{{Infobox officeholder
{{Short description|Bangladeshi politician}}
|name             = Shafiqur Rahman
{{pp|small=yes}}
|native_name     = শফিকুর রহমান
{{other people}}
|image           = Drsafiqurrahman.jpg
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2024}}
|caption         =  
{{Infobox officeholder
|office2          =  
| name = Shafiqur Rahman
|term_start2      =  
| honorific_prefix = [[The Honourable#Bangladesh|The Honourable]]
|term_end2        =  
| honorific_suffix = [[Member of Parliament (Bangladesh)|MP]]
|predecessor2    =  
| native_name = {{nobold|শফিকুর রহমান}}
|successor2      =  
| image = Shafiqur Rahman 2026.jpg
|office          = Amir of [[Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami]]
| alt = Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami
|term_start      = 12 November 2019
| caption = Rahman in 2026
|term_end        =
| office = 8th [[Leader of the Opposition (Bangladesh)|Leader of the Opposition]]
|predecessor      = [[Maqbul Ahmed]]
| prime_minister = [[Tarique Rahman]]
|successor        =  
| deputy = [[Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher]]
|office3          =  
| term_start = 17 February 2026
|term_start3      =
| term_end =  
|term_end3        =  
| predecessor = [[GM Quader]]
|predecessor3    =  
| successor =  
|successor3      =  
| office1 = 4th [[Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami#Leadership|Ameer of the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami]]
|constituency_MP4 =  
| 1blankname1 = Secretary-General
|majority4        =  
| 1namedata1 = [[Mia Golam Parwar]]
|term_start4      =
| term_start1 = 12 November 2019
|term_end4        =  
| predecessor1 = [[Maqbul Ahmed]]
|predecessor4    =  
| successor1 =  
|successor4      =
| office2 = [[Member of Parliament (Bangladesh)|Member of Parliament]]
|majority5        =
| constituency2 = [[Dhaka-15]]
|term_start5      =  
| term_start2 = 17 February 2026
|term_end5        =  
| term_end2 =  
|predecessor5    =  
| predecessor2 = [[Kamal Ahmed Majumder]]
|successor5      =  
| office3 = 6th [[Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami#Secretary Generals|Secretary-General of the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami]]
|birth_date       = {{birth date and age|1958|10|31|df=yes}}
| 3blankname3 = Ameer
|birth_place     = [[Kulaura Upazila|Kulaura]], [[Moulvibazar District|Moulvibazar]], [[Sylhet Division|Sylhet district]], [[East Pakistan]] (now [[Bangladesh]])
| 3namedata3 = {{ubl|[[Motiur Rahman Nizami]]|[[Maqbul Ahmed]]}}
|death_date       =  
| term_start3 = 2011
|death_place     =  
| term_end3 = 2019
|party           = [[Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami]]
| predecessor3 = [[ATM Azharul Islam]]
|otherparty      =  
| successor3 = Mia Golam Parwar
|spouse           = {{marriage|[[Ameena Begum (politician)|Amena Begum]]|1985}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1958|10|31|df=yes}}
|relations       =  
| birth_place = Bhatera, [[Kulaura Upazila|Kulaura]], [[Moulvibazar District|Moulvibazar]], [[Sylhet]], East Pakistan (now Bangladesh)
|children         = 2 daughters, 1 son
| death_date =  
|residence       = [[Dhaka]]
| death_place =  
|alma_mater       = {{ubl|[[Sylhet Medical College]]|[[MC College]]}}
| party = [[Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami]] {{small|(1984–present)}}
|occupation       =  
| other_party = [[11 Party Alliance]] {{small|(2025–present)}}
|profession       = Politician, businessman
| spouse = {{marriage|[[Ameena Begum (politician)|Ameena Begum]]|1985}}
|signature       =  
| relations =  
|website         = {{URL|http://dr-shafiqurrahman.com/}}
| children =  
|footnotes       =  
| residence =  
| alma_mater = [[Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College]]
| occupation = Politician
| profession = {{ubl|Physician|Businessman}}
| signature =  
| website = {{URL|https://www.dr-shafiqurrahman.info/|dr-shafiqurrahman.info}}
| footnotes =  
| blank1 = Organization
| data1 = {{ubl|[[Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir]] {{small|(1977–1984)}}|[[Bangladesh Chhatra League (Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal)|JaSaD Chhatra League]] {{small|(1973–1975)}}}}
}}
}}


'''Shafiqur Rahman''' ({{lang-bn|শফিকুর রহমান}}) is a Bangladeshi politician, physician and current amir of [[Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami]]. He served as Jamaat's [[secretary general]] from October 2016 to November 2019. He was elected the Jamaat-e-Islami [[Emir]] on November 12, 2019.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/politics/2019/11/12/dr-shafiqur-elected-ameer-of-jamaat-e-islami |title=Dr Shafiqur elected Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami |date=2019-11-12 |work=[[Dhaka Tribune]] |url-status=live |access-date=2019-11-12}}</ref>  He was former acting secretary general of the party.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2016/08/30/jamaat-e-islami-calls-for-shutdown-on-wednesday-over-mir-quasems-war-crimes-verdict |title=Jamaat-e-Islami calls for shutdown on Wednesday over Mir Quasem’s war crimes verdict |newspaper=bdnews24.com |access-date=2016-12-12}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://aa.com.tr/en/politics/bangladesh-set-to-execute-jamaat-e-islami-leader/569697 |title=Bangladesh set to execute Jamaat-e-Islami leader |website=Anadolu Agency |access-date=2016-12-12}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2016/10/17/maqbul-ahmed-takes-oath-jamaat-chief/ |title=Maqbul Ahmed takes oath as Jamaat chief |date=2016-10-17 |newspaper=Dhaka Tribune |access-date=2016-12-12}}</ref> Before his being acting secretary general, he had been ''Ameer'' (leader) of the [[Sylhet]] city branch of the party.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ex-Ameer of Sylhet Jamaat, 3 others sued |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-47013 |newspaper=The Daily Star |date=2008-07-23 |access-date=2017-01-05}}</ref>
'''Shafiqur Rahman''' ({{langx|bn|শফিকুর রহমান|Śôfikur Rôhmān}}; born 31 October 1958) is a Bangladeshi politician and [[physician]] who has been serving as the [[Leader of the Opposition (Bangladesh)|Leader of the Opposition]] since February 2026 and as the ameer ([[party leader]]) of the [[Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami]] since 2019.


== Primary life ==
Born in [[Kulaura Upazila|Kulaura]], Rahman joined politics in student life by affiliating with the JaSaD Chhatra League in 1973, followed by the [[Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir]] in 1977. After graduation, he joined the Sylhet District unit of Jamaat-e-Islami party in 1984. Following [[ATM Azharul Islam]]'s detention in 2011, he became the acting secretary-general of the party. In 2019, he was elected as the ameer of the party.
Shafiqur Rahman was born on October 31, 1958 in [[Kulaura Upazila]] of [[Moulvibazar District]]. His father's name. Abru Mia and his mother name is Khatibun. He is the third son her family. Rahman passed the [[Secondary School Certificate|SSC]] from the local [[Baramachal High School]] in 1974 and then passed the [[Higher Secondary School Certificate|HSC]] from the [[Murari Chand College|MC College]] in Sylhet at 1976. He got his [[Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery|MBBS]] degree from [[Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College|Sylhet Medical College]] in 1983.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.dailynayadiganta.com/politics/364590/ঢাকা-১৫-আসনে-নির্বাচন-করতে-চান-জামায়াত-সেক্রেটারি-ডা-শফিক |script-title=bn:ঢাকা-১৫ আসনে নির্বাচন করতে চান জামায়াত সেক্রেটারি ডা: শফিক |work=Daily Naya Diganta |language=bn |access-date=2019-11-12}}</ref>


== Career ==
Rahman is known for his [[Moderatism|moderate]] position as a leader of an [[Islamism|Islamist]] party. However, some of his remarks have become a topic of controversy.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-02-10 |title=Jamaat accuses Reuters of misreporting Shafiqur Rahman's 'hacked post' |url=https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/politics/jamaat-accuses-reuters-misreporting-shafiqur-rahmans-hacked-post-1357661 |access-date=2026-02-12 |website=The Business Standard |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Jamaat ameer clarifies party’s position on women amid social media controversy |url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/politics/402301/jamaat-ameer-clarifies-party%E2%80%99s-position-on-women |access-date=2026-02-12 |website=Dhaka Tribune |language=en}}</ref>
Rahman started his political life through the [[Jasad Chhatra League]] while in the student body and joined the [[Bangladesh Chhatra League]] in 1973. Joined [[Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir]] in 1977. While studying in [[Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College|Sylhet Osmani Medical College]], he became president of the Chatra Shibir medical branch and later the [[Sylhet District]] branch. In 1984, joined the Jamaat-e-Islami. Later he served as Sylhet's [[Emir]]. After taking office at the central level as [[Assistant Secretary-General|Assistant Secretary General]] in 2010, and the first acting [[Secretary General]] on September 19, 2011, he took over as Secretary General in 2016.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/politics/news/shafiqur-elected-jamaats-ameer-1826272 |title=Shafiqur elected Jamaat’s Ameer |date=2019-11-12 |work=[[The Daily Star (Bangladesh)|The Daily Star]] |url-status=live |access-date=2019-11-12}}</ref>
 
== Early life ==
Rahman was born on 31 October 1958 in Bhatera Union under [[Kulaura Upazila]] of [[Moulvibazar District]]. His father's name is Abru Mia and mother's name is Khatibun. He is the third son of his family. Rahman passed [[Secondary School Certificate|SSC]] from Baramachal High School in 1974, then he passed [[Higher Secondary Certificate|HSC]] from [[Murari Chand College]] in [[Sylhet]] in 1976. He got [[Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery|MBBS]] degree from [[Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College]] in 1983.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.dailynayadiganta.com/politics/364590/%E0%A6%A2%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A7%A7%E0%A7%AB-%E0%A6%86%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%9A%E0%A6%A8-%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%9A%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A8-%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%AF%E0%A6%BC%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A4-%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%9F%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%BF-%E0%A6%A1%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A6%B6%E0%A6%AB%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%95 |script-title=bn:ঢাকা-১৫ আসনে নির্বাচন করতে চান জামায়াত সেক্রেটারি ডা: শফিক |work=[[Daily Naya Diganta]] |language=bn |access-date=12 November 2019 |archive-date=12 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191112194215/http://www.dailynayadiganta.com/politics/364590/%25E0%25A6%25A2%25E0%25A6%25BE%25E0%25A6%2595%25E0%25A6%25BE-%25E0%25A7%25A7%25E0%25A7%25AB-%25E0%25A6%2586%25E0%25A6%25B8%25E0%25A6%25A8%25E0%25A7%2587-%25E0%25A6%25A8%25E0%25A6%25BF%25E0%25A6%25B0%25E0%25A7%258D%25E0%25A6%25AC%25E0%25A6%25BE%25E0%25A6%259A%25E0%25A6%25A8-%25E0%25A6%2595%25E0%25A6%25B0%25E0%25A6%25A4%25E0%25A7%2587-%25E0%25A6%259A%25E0%25A6%25BE%25E0%25A6%25A8-%25E0%25A6%259C%25E0%25A6%25BE%25E0%25A6%25AE%25E0%25A6%25BE%25E0%25A6%25AF%25E0%25A6%25BC%25E0%25A6%25BE%25E0%25A6%25A4-%25E0%25A6%25B8%25E0%25A7%2587%25E0%25A6%2595%25E0%25A7%258D%25E0%25A6%25B0%25E0%25A7%2587%25E0%25A6%259F%25E0%25A6%25BE%25E0%25A6%25B0%25E0%25A6%25BF-%25E0%25A6%25A1%25E0%25A6%25BE-%25E0%25A6%25B6%25E0%25A6%25AB%25E0%25A6%25BF%25E0%25A6%2595 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
 
==Political career==
Shafiqur Rahman started his political career by joining JaSaD Chhatra League, the [[student wing]] of [[Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal]] (JaSaD) in 1973.<ref name="j">{{Cite web |url=https://www.jamaat-e-islami.org/article-details.php?category=29&article=552 |script-title=bn:আমীরে জামায়াত ডা. শফিকুর রহমান এর সংক্ষিপ্ত জীবন বৃত্তান্ত |language=bn |accessdate=27 October 2022 |website=[[Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami]] |archive-date=27 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221027141704/https://www.jamaat-e-islami.org/article-details.php?category=29&article=552 |url-status=live}}</ref> He is one of the several leaders of the Jamaat-e-Islami who were affiliated with the organization when the party was banned. Though he claimed that his affiliation with the organization was the part of a "wave" when a large number of youth joined the leftist organizations opposing the policies of ruling [[Awami League]], critics claim that this was a part of the "hideout" policy of many Jamaat-e-Islami supporters to prevent persecution. The ''[[BBC Bangla]]'' admitted the difficulties of verifying the claim as the period was turbulent for JaSaD Chhatra League also and no record was kept by the organization then for security reasons. However, leader of his college committee of JaSaD Chhatra League argued that Rahman was simply a supporter of the organization, not any worker or leader.<ref name="bbcbangla">{{cite web|title=জামায়াতের আমির শফিকুর রহমান গোপনেই 'ইসলামপন্থি' সংগঠনের দেখা পেয়েছিলেন|trans-title=Ameer of Jamaat Shafiqur Rahman had found the "Islamist" organization secretly|url=https://www.bbc.com/bengali/articles/cvgp1442202o|website=[[BBC Bangla]]|date=11 February 2026|language=bn}}</ref>
 
He left the JaSaD Chhatra League in 1975. He expressed his dismay with the organization for their claimed criminal activities. He also claimed that during the time, he found a secret [[Islamist]] group in his student hall and got affiliated with them.<ref name="bbcbangla" /> As he stated: {{quote|While I was in MC College, I saw that they (JaSaD Chhatra League) had started robbing banks again. They had started robbing police stations and weapons and had started various kinds of misdeeds. Then I got disgusted with them too. I went off for a few days, but I knew something about them. My life was in danger because of this information. [...] Finally, ''[[Alhamdulillah]]'', by the grace of [[God in Islam|Allah]], I realized that the people in the room where I was staying were members of an Islamic organization. But they kept it a secret. They were very secretive. Later, I came to know that they were with an Islamic student organization. I asked them and accepted their invitation.<ref name="bbcbangla" />}}
 
He joined [[Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir|Islami Chhatra Shibir]], the male student wing of Jamaat-e-Islami in 1977. While he was studying in medical college, he became president of the local Chhatra Shibir medical branch and later the [[Sylhet District]] branch of Chhatra Shibir. In 1984, He joined Jamaat-e-Islami. Later, he served as the Ameer of Sylhet unit of the party.<ref name="bbcbangla" /><ref name="tbs" />
 
In 2010, he became the assistant secretary-general at the central committee of the party. After [[ATM Azharul Islam]], the acting secretary-general, was arrested for the [[International Crimes Tribunal (Bangladesh)|war crimes trial]] in 2011, he was declared the acting secretary-general on 19 September 2011. In 2016, he took over as secretary-general, which he held until 2019.<ref name="bbcbangla" /><ref name="tbs">{{Cite news |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/politics/news/shafiqur-elected-jamaats-ameer-1826272 |title=Shafiqur elected Jamaat's Ameer |date=12 November 2019 |work=[[The Daily Star (Bangladesh)|The Daily Star]] |access-date=12 November 2019}}</ref>
 
===Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami (2019–present)===
[[File:Bangladesh Jamaat e Islami Delegation Meeting Muhammad Yunus Dhaka 2025-05-24 (PID-0001748).jpg|thumb|Rahman meeting with the [[Chief Adviser of Bangladesh|chief adviser]] [[Muhammad Yunus]], 24 May 2025]]
Shafiqur Rahman was elected as the ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami in 2018, succeeding [[Maqbul Ahmed]].<ref name="tbs" /> He was elected by the direct votes of ''rukon'' (full members) of the party. He was reelected on 2023 and 2025. He led the party during a period of persecution by the ruling Awami League government.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/politics/no-party-suffered-jamaat-amir-shafiqur-rahman-967396 |title=No party suffered like Jamaat: Ameer Shafiqur Rahman |date=15 October 2024 |access-date=11 February 2026 |work=[[The Business Standard]]}}</ref> As the leader of the party, he has been credited for moving it away from its traditional "mantle" and opening the party to and attracting variety of politicians, religious minorities and the [[Mukti Bahini|freedom fighters]].<ref name="bbcbangla" /> Bangladeshi political analyst Altaf Parvez credited Rahman for the ideological reformation and political transformation of the party. He also noted how Rahman worked to expand female participation and international engagement of the party.<ref>{{cite web|first=Altaf|last=Parvez|title=জামায়াতের আমির শফিকুর রহমান আর কত দূর এগোবেন|trans-title=How far Ameer of Jamaat Shafiqur Rahman will go ahead|url=https://www.prothomalo.com/opinion/column/ptqz7h6szc|website=[[Prothom Alo]]|access-date=27 February 2026|language=bn}}</ref>
 
== Political positions ==
According to the political analyst Saleh Uddin Ahmad, Rahman is comparatively "moderate" and "changeable" than previous ameers of the Jamaat-e-Islami. Ahmed attributed this to Rahman's educational background and his former affiliation with the JaSaD, a left-wing party.<ref name="salehuddinahmad" />
 
Rahman supported the rights of religious minorities of the country. He took initiative to protect the lives and the properties of minorities, visited [[Hindu temples]], and called to nominate Hindu candidates from his party.<ref name="salehuddinahmad">{{cite news |first=Saleh Uddin |last=Ahmad |script-title=bn:বিএনপি ও জামায়াত কে কোন ফ্যাক্টরে এগিয়ে |url=https://www.prothomalo.com/opinion/column/29qk41p9t1 |work=[[Prothom Alo]] |type=Opinion |date=31 October 2025 |language=bn}}</ref> He also supported and promised maintaining women's [[right to work]] outside and [[right to clothing|freedom of clothing]] if the party forms government.<ref>{{cite news |script-title=bn:জামায়াতে কৌশল পরিবর্তন, নারী নেতাকর্মী প্রকাশ্যে |url=https://samakal.com/bangladesh/article/286058/%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%BE%E0%A7%9F%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%8C%E0%A6%B6%E0%A6%B2-%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%A8-%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%80-%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AE%E0%A7%80-%E0%A6%AA%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B6%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AF%E0%A7%87 |work=[[Samakal]] |date=18 March 2025 |language=bn}}</ref>
 
However, Rahman has expressed opposition to female leadership in his party. In an interview with ''[[Al Jazeera]]'', he claimed that women's "physical difference" from the men restricts them to maternal duties. Moreover, he has frequently spoken about women's challenge of balancing professional duties and motherhood. He has even said that if his party forms government, those women who choose to stay at home instead of working outside will be rewarded by the government. He has indirectly encouraged women to withdraw from the workforce.<ref name="theguardian">{{cite web|first=Siam Sarower|last=Jamil|title=Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami's Election Doublespeak|url=https://thediplomat.com/2026/02/bangladesh-jamaat-e-islamis-election-doublespeak/|website=[[The Guardian]]|date=9 February 2026}}</ref> Additionally, he has advocated reducing female working hours from eight to five hours after the maternity leave with the "consent of mothers", with the rest of the working hours to be paid by the government; a move for which he has been criticized multiple times.<ref>{{cite web|title=নারীদের কর্মঘণ্টা কমানো হবে: জামায়াতের আমির|url=https://www.prothomalo.com/politics/7g5gez8qwm|website=[[Prothom Alo]]|date=|language=bn}}</ref><ref name="theguardian" />
 
==Public image==
[[File:Tareque Rahman at Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Iftar mahfil, Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center, Dhaka 2026-02-28.jpg|thumb|Rahman with the incumbent [[Prime Minister of Bangladesh|Bangladeshi prime minister]] [[Tarique Rahman]] at an [[iftar]] ceremony, 28 February 2026]]
During the Jamaat-e-Islami's campaign for the [[2026 Bangladeshi general election|2026 general election]], fan-made election campaign banners in different parts of Bangladesh depicting Rahman in a design inspired by the television series ''[[Game of Thrones]]'', accompanied by the phrase "Winter Is Coming", drew public attention.<ref>{{cite news |title=Posters modelled on Game of Thrones featuring Jamaat ameer in Chattogram intersections |url=https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/politics/et33ahyl92 |work=Prothom Alo |date=2 February 2026 |access-date=3 February 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=From Westeros to Ctg: ‘Game of Thrones’-style banner of Jamaat chief sparks buzz in port city |url=https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/westeros-ctg-game-thrones-style-banner-jamaat-chief-sparks-buzz-port-city-1350156 |work=The Business Standard |date=2 February 2026 |access-date=3 February 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title='উইন্টার ইজ কামিং': গেম অব থ্রোনস আবহে জামায়াত আমিরের ব্যানার নিয়ে তোলপাড় |url=https://www.somoynews.tv/news/2026-02-02/y4tCF7VT |work=Somoy News |date=2 February 2026 |access-date=3 February 2026}}</ref>
 
According to an [[Al Jazeera English|Al Jazeera]] report, Rahman is often addressed as "''Dadu''" (Grandfather) by his young supporters during the campaign. The report adds that his white beard, soft-spoken nature, and attentiveness to supporters align with this image.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Billah |first=Masum |date=2026-02-09 |title=Bangladesh’s Jamaat leader Shafiqur Rahman: The man everyone wants to meet |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2026/2/9/bangladeshs-jamaat-leader-shafiqur-rahman-the-man-everyone-wants-to-meet |access-date=2026-02-09 |website=[[Al Jazeera English]] |language=en}}</ref>


== Personal life ==
== Personal life ==
Rahman was married on January 5, 1985 to [[Ameena Begum (politician)|Dr. Ameena Begum]]. Amena Begum served as the [[Member of parliament]] for the reserved seats in the [[2008 Bangladeshi general election|eighth Jatiyo Sangshad election]]. The couple has 2 daughters and 1 son.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.dailysangram.com/?post=353245-%E0%A6%A2%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A7%A7%E0%A7%AB-%E0%A6%86%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%A8-%E0%A6%A5%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%8B%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%AF%E0%A6%BC%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0%20%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%82%E0%A6%97%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%B9-%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%B2%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%A8-%E0%A6%A1%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A6%B6%E0%A6%AB%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A8 |script-title=bn:ঢাকা-১৫ আসন থেকে মনোনয়নপত্র সংগ্রহ করলেন ডা. শফিকুর রহমান |work=[[The Daily Sangram]] |language=bn |url-status=live |access-date=2019-11-12}}</ref>
Rahman was married on 5 January 1985 to [[Ameena Begum (politician)|Ameena Begum]]. She served as MP for a reserved seat in the [[2001 Bangladeshi general election]] in support of Jamaat-e-Islami. The couple have two daughters and one son.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.dailysangram.com/?post=353245-%E0%A6%A2%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A7%A7%E0%A7%AB-%E0%A6%86%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%A8-%E0%A6%A5%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%8B%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%AF%E0%A6%BC%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0%20%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%82%E0%A6%97%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%B9-%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%B2%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%A8-%E0%A6%A1%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A6%B6%E0%A6%AB%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A8 |script-title=bn:ঢাকা-১৫ আসন থেকে মনোনয়নপত্র সংগ্রহ করলেন ডা. শফিকুর রহমান |work=[[The Daily Sangram]] |language=bn |access-date=12 November 2019 |archive-date=7 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007030731/https://www.dailysangram.com/?post=353245-%E0%A6%A2%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A7%A7%E0%A7%AB-%E0%A6%86%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%A8-%E0%A6%A5%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%8B%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%AF%E0%A6%BC%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0%20%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%82%E0%A6%97%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%B9-%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%B2%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%A8-%E0%A6%A1%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A6%B6%E0%A6%AB%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A8 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="j"/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.kalbela.com/politics/116357#google_vignette%7C|script-title=bn:জাসদ ছাত্রলীগ থেকে যেভাবে জামায়াতের আমির হলেন ডা. শফিকুর রহমান |work=[[Daily Kalbela]]|date=29 August 2024}}</ref> He claimed that one of his cousin was a martyred [[Mukti Bahini|freedom fighter]] in the [[Bangladesh Liberation War|Liberation War]].<ref>{{cite web|title='আমার ভাই বাংলাদেশের এমন চিত্র দেখলে হয়ত সেদিন মুক্তিযুদ্ধ করতেন না'|url=https://www.ittefaq.com.bd/773579/%E2%80%98%E0%A6%86%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%AD%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%87-%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%82%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A6%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B6%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%8F%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%A8-%E0%A6%9A%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%A6%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%96%E0%A6%B2%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%B9%E0%A7%9F%E0%A6%A4-%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%A6%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%A8|website=[[Daily Ittefaq]]|date=7 February 2026}}</ref>
 
===Health===
On 19 July 2025, Shafiqur Rahman got sick and collapsed while he was giving a speech against corruption during the national rally of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami in [[Suhrawardy Udyan]], Dhaka. After completing the speech, he was sent to the [[Ibn Sina Medical College|Ibna Sina Medical College]] .<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.ittefaq.com.bd/742429/%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%AC%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AF%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%AE%E0%A7%9F-%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%9E%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%9A%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%A2%E0%A6%B2%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%AA%E0%A7%9C%E0%A6%B2%E0%A |title= |date=19 July 2025 |work=[[The Daily Ittefaq]] |language=bn |script-title=bn:বক্তব্যের সময় মঞ্চে ঢলে পড়লেন জামায়াত আমির |access-date=19 July 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.jugantor.com/politics/979891 |title= |date=19 July 2025 |publisher=[[Jugantor]] |language=bn |script-title=bn:সমাবেশ মঞ্চে অসুস্থ হয়ে পড়েছেন জামায়াত আমির |access-date=19 July 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.somoynews.tv/news/2025-07-19/KFG4ZtM8 |title= |date=19 July 2025 |publisher=[[Somoy TV]] |language=bn |script-title=bn:জামায়াত আমির এখন কেমন আছেন? |access-date=19 July 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://bangla.bdnews24.com/politics/55a872aa8982 |title= |date=19 July 2025 |publisher=[[bdnews24.com]] |language=bn |script-title=bn:মঞ্চে পড়ে গেলেন জামায়াত আমির, বসেই দিলেন বক্তৃতা |access-date=19 July 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://bangla.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/politics/news-687226 |title= |date=19 July 2025 |work=The Daily Star |language=bn |script-title=bn:বক্তব্য চলাকালে অসুস্থ হয়ে পড়ে গেলেন জামায়াত আমির |access-date=19 July 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://dailynayadiganta.com/bangladesh/politics/X8k1Auaka6ux |title= |date=19 July 2025 |publisher=[[Daily Naya Diganta]] |language=bn |script-title=bn:মঞ্চে অসুস্থ হয়ে পড়লেন জামায়াত আমির |access-date=19 July 2025}}</ref> Later on he was admitted to [[United Hospital Limited]] under cardiologist Dr Jahangir Kabir. <ref>{{Cite web |last=bdnews24.com |title=Jamaat-e-Islami chief Shafiqur undergoes open-heart surgery |url=https://bdnews24.com/politics/c43a33842d12 |access-date=2026-01-21 |website=Jamaat chief Shafiqur undergoes heart surgery |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Jamaat Ameer returns home after successful bypass surgery {{!}} Others |url=https://www.bssnews.net/others/301061 |access-date=2026-01-21 |website=BSS}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Jamaat ameer undergoes successful bypass surgery |url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/387998/jamaat-ameer-undergoes-successful-bypass-surgery |access-date=2026-01-21 |website=Dhaka Tribune |language=en}}</ref> An angiogram revealed three major blockages, leading to an urgent open-heart bypass surgery, where four bypasses were performed.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jamaat Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman returns home after successful surgery |url=http://www.jamaat-e-islami.org/en/news-details.php?category=2&news=4297 |access-date=2026-01-21 |website=Bangladesh Jamaat-e-islami}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Jamaat ameer undergoes successful bypass surgery {{!}} The Daily Star |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/politics/news/jamaat-ameer-undergoes-successful-bypass-surgery-3953756 |access-date=2026-01-21 |website=www.thedailystar.net |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Banglanews24 |title=Jamaat chief undergoes successful bypass surgery |url=https://en.banglanews24.com/politics/news/bd/182065.details |access-date=2026-01-21 |website=banglanews24.com |language=bn}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-02 |title=Jamaat Ameer's open heart surgery successfully completed - Business in Bangladesh |url=https://businessinbangladesh.com.bd/jamaat-ameers-open-heart-surgery-successfully-completed/ |access-date=2026-01-21 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=jagonews24.com |title=Jamaat amir undergoes successful bypass surgery |url=https://www.jagonews24.com/en/politics/news/84535 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250802085433/https://www.jagonews24.com/en/politics/news/84535 |archive-date=2 August 2025 |access-date=2026-01-21 |work=jagonews24.com |language=en-US |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-07-31 |title=Jamaat ameer hospitalised with three heart blockages; doctors recommend bypass surgery |url=https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/politics/jamaat-ameer-hospitalised-three-heart-blockages-doctors-recommend-bypass-surgery |access-date=2026-01-21 |website=The Business Standard |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Lens Asia - Jamaat Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman to Undergo Open-Heart surgery on Today Morning |url=https://lensasia.net/site/news/view/87c49ad1-0c52-4641-9816-e81a98fa1e7b |access-date=2026-01-21 |website=lensasia.net}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |author=Amader Barta |title=Jamaat Ameer undergoes 'successful' bypass surgery {{!}} Politics News |url=https://www.amaderbarta.net/en/news/jamaat-ameer-undergoes-successful-bypass-surgery-338325 |access-date=2026-01-21 |website=Amader Barta {{!}} আমাদের বার্তা |language=en}}</ref>
 
== Controversies ==
 
===Alleged X account hack===
On 31 January 2026 at 16.37 [[Bangladesh Standard Time|BST]], a post was made from Rahman's [[Twitter|X]] account that made derogatory remarks on women working out of home, including comparing their work with "[[prostitution]]". Later Rahman's [[Facebook]] post at night and his party's news conference the later day claimed that his X account was hacked from an email sent from the [[Bangabhaban]] and it was recovered by the party's cyber team within 55 minutes of the post being made. A general diary (GD) was also filed by Rahman at [[Hatirjheel]] police station. The post created heavy controversy, the opposition challenged the narrative, particularly the claimed account recovery within 55 minutes, and protests occurred in multiple places in the country.<ref>{{cite web|title=কর্মজীবী নারীদের বিষয়ে পোস্ট নিয়ে শোরগোল, এক্স অ্যাকাউন্ট হ্যাকের দাবি জামায়াতের|url=https://www.bbc.com/bengali/articles/cy59z3wknkdo|website=[[BBC Bangla]]|date=1 February 2025|language=bn}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=কর্মজীবী নারীদের নিয়ে জামায়াত আমিরের 'এক্স' পোস্টের প্রতিবাদে ঢাকা বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়ে ঝাড়ুমিছিল|url=https://www.prothomalo.com/politics/xkwjxqtqv6|website=[[Prothom Alo]]|date=1 February 2026|language=bn}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=জামায়াত আমিরের মন্তব্যের প্রতিবাদে জাহাঙ্গীরনগরে ঝাড়ু ও মশালমিছিল|url=https://www.prothomalo.com/video/bangladesh/xn2knqojmk|website=[[Prothom Alo]]|date=1 February 2026|language=bn}}</ref> The assistant programmer of Bangabhaban Mohammad Sarwar Alam was detained under the Cyber Security Ordinance, 2025.<ref>{{cite web|title=জামিন পেলেন বঙ্গভবনের সেই কর্মকর্তা ছরওয়ার|url=https://www.banglatribune.com/others/932640/%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%A8-%E0%A6%AA%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B2%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%A8-%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%99%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%97%E0%A6%AD%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%87-%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A6%9B%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%93%E0%A7%9F%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0|website=[[Bangla Tribune]]|date=5 February 2026|language=bn}}</ref> An investigation by the Dissent, a digital investigative media outlet based in Dhaka, found evidence of attempted hacking of devices and accounts used to manage social media accounts of Jamaat's central leaders.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Evidence Show Indications of Hacking Attempts in Jamaat's Central Office Devices and Accounts |url=https://thedissent.news/digital-investigations/evidence-show-indications-of-hacking-attempts-in-jamaats-central-office-devices-and-accounts |access-date=2026-02-15 |website=The Dissent |language=en}}</ref>
 
==Philanthropy==
Rahman runs a number of charity and nonprofit organizations and institutions in his native region Sylhet. He is also one of the founders of [[Sylhet Women's Medical College]]. Many non-Muslims also work in his organisations and institutions.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kalbela.com/politics/115532|title=জামায়াত আমিরের প্রতিষ্ঠানে চাকরি করেন হিন্দু-বৌদ্ধ-খ্রিস্টানও|date=31 August 2024|access-date=11 February 2026|work=[[Kalbela]]|language=bn}}</ref>
 
==Electoral history==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Constituency
! colspan="2" | Party
! Votes
! %
! Result
|-
|[[2001 Bangladeshi general election|2001]]
|[[Moulvibazar-2]]
|{{party name with color|Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami|rowspan=3}}
|12,415
|7.2
|{{lost}}
|-
|[[2018 Bangladeshi general election|2018]]
|rowspan="2" | [[Dhaka-15]]
| 39,071
| 11.47
|{{lost}}
|-
|[[2026 Bangladeshi general election|2026]]
|85,131
|54.20
|{{won}}
|}
 
==See also==
* [[Mia Golam Parwar]]


== References ==
== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}
 
==External links==
* {{commons-inline}}
{{s-start}}
{{s-off}}
{{s-bef | before=[[Maqbul Ahmed]]}}
{{s-ttl | title=Ameer of [[Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh]] | years=2019–Present}}
{{s-aft | after=[[To be determined|TBD]]}}
{{s-end}}
{{Islamism in Bangladesh}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Rahman, Shafiqur}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rahman, Shafiqur}}
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[[Category:Politicians from Sylhet Division]]
[[Category:1958 births]]
[[Category:1958 births]]
[[Category:Murari Chand College alumni]]
[[Category:Murari Chand College alumni]]
{{Bangladesh-bio-stub}}
[[Category:Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College alumni]]
[[Category:Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Alumni]]
[[Category:21st-century Bengali people]]
[[Category:21st-century Bengalis]]
[[Category:20th-century Bengali people]]
[[Category:20th-century Bengalis]]
[[Category:Ameers of the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami]]
[[Category:13th Jatiya Sangsad members]]
[[Category:Leaders of the opposition (Bangladesh)]]

Latest revision as of 03:28, 28 March 2026

For other people named Shafiqur Rahman, see Shafiqur Rahman (disambiguation).
The Honourable
Shafiqur Rahman
MP
শফিকুর রহমান
Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami
Rahman in 2026
8th Leader of the Opposition
Assumed office
17 February 2026
DeputySyed Abdullah Muhammad Taher
Preceded byGM Quader
4th Ameer of the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami
Assumed office
12 November 2019
Secretary-GeneralMia Golam Parwar
Preceded byMaqbul Ahmed
Member of Parliament
Assumed office
17 February 2026
Preceded byKamal Ahmed Majumder
ConstituencyDhaka-15
6th Secretary-General of the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami
In office
2011–2019
Ameer
Preceded byATM Azharul Islam
Succeeded byMia Golam Parwar
Personal details
Born (1958-10-31) 31 October 1958 (age 67)
Bhatera, Kulaura, Moulvibazar, Sylhet, East Pakistan (now Bangladesh)
Political partyBangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami (1984–present)
Spouse(s)
(
m. 1985)
Alma materSylhet MAG Osmani Medical College
OccupationPolitician
Profession
  • Physician
  • Businessman
Organization
Websitedr-shafiqurrahman.info

Shafiqur Rahman (Script error: The function "langx" does not exist.; born 31 October 1958) is a Bangladeshi politician and physician who has been serving as the Leader of the Opposition since February 2026 and as the ameer (party leader) of the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami since 2019.

Born in Kulaura, Rahman joined politics in student life by affiliating with the JaSaD Chhatra League in 1973, followed by the Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir in 1977. After graduation, he joined the Sylhet District unit of Jamaat-e-Islami party in 1984. Following ATM Azharul Islam's detention in 2011, he became the acting secretary-general of the party. In 2019, he was elected as the ameer of the party.

Rahman is known for his moderate position as a leader of an Islamist party. However, some of his remarks have become a topic of controversy.[1][2]

Early life[edit | edit source]

Rahman was born on 31 October 1958 in Bhatera Union under Kulaura Upazila of Moulvibazar District. His father's name is Abru Mia and mother's name is Khatibun. He is the third son of his family. Rahman passed SSC from Baramachal High School in 1974, then he passed HSC from Murari Chand College in Sylhet in 1976. He got MBBS degree from Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College in 1983.[3]

Political career[edit | edit source]

Shafiqur Rahman started his political career by joining JaSaD Chhatra League, the student wing of Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JaSaD) in 1973.[4] He is one of the several leaders of the Jamaat-e-Islami who were affiliated with the organization when the party was banned. Though he claimed that his affiliation with the organization was the part of a "wave" when a large number of youth joined the leftist organizations opposing the policies of ruling Awami League, critics claim that this was a part of the "hideout" policy of many Jamaat-e-Islami supporters to prevent persecution. The BBC Bangla admitted the difficulties of verifying the claim as the period was turbulent for JaSaD Chhatra League also and no record was kept by the organization then for security reasons. However, leader of his college committee of JaSaD Chhatra League argued that Rahman was simply a supporter of the organization, not any worker or leader.[5]

He left the JaSaD Chhatra League in 1975. He expressed his dismay with the organization for their claimed criminal activities. He also claimed that during the time, he found a secret Islamist group in his student hall and got affiliated with them.[5] As he stated:

While I was in MC College, I saw that they (JaSaD Chhatra League) had started robbing banks again. They had started robbing police stations and weapons and had started various kinds of misdeeds. Then I got disgusted with them too. I went off for a few days, but I knew something about them. My life was in danger because of this information. [...] Finally, Alhamdulillah, by the grace of Allah, I realized that the people in the room where I was staying were members of an Islamic organization. But they kept it a secret. They were very secretive. Later, I came to know that they were with an Islamic student organization. I asked them and accepted their invitation.[5]

He joined Islami Chhatra Shibir, the male student wing of Jamaat-e-Islami in 1977. While he was studying in medical college, he became president of the local Chhatra Shibir medical branch and later the Sylhet District branch of Chhatra Shibir. In 1984, He joined Jamaat-e-Islami. Later, he served as the Ameer of Sylhet unit of the party.[5][6]

In 2010, he became the assistant secretary-general at the central committee of the party. After ATM Azharul Islam, the acting secretary-general, was arrested for the war crimes trial in 2011, he was declared the acting secretary-general on 19 September 2011. In 2016, he took over as secretary-general, which he held until 2019.[5][6]

Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami (2019–present)[edit | edit source]

Rahman meeting with the chief adviser Muhammad Yunus, 24 May 2025

Shafiqur Rahman was elected as the ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami in 2018, succeeding Maqbul Ahmed.[6] He was elected by the direct votes of rukon (full members) of the party. He was reelected on 2023 and 2025. He led the party during a period of persecution by the ruling Awami League government.[7] As the leader of the party, he has been credited for moving it away from its traditional "mantle" and opening the party to and attracting variety of politicians, religious minorities and the freedom fighters.[5] Bangladeshi political analyst Altaf Parvez credited Rahman for the ideological reformation and political transformation of the party. He also noted how Rahman worked to expand female participation and international engagement of the party.[8]

Political positions[edit | edit source]

According to the political analyst Saleh Uddin Ahmad, Rahman is comparatively "moderate" and "changeable" than previous ameers of the Jamaat-e-Islami. Ahmed attributed this to Rahman's educational background and his former affiliation with the JaSaD, a left-wing party.[9]

Rahman supported the rights of religious minorities of the country. He took initiative to protect the lives and the properties of minorities, visited Hindu temples, and called to nominate Hindu candidates from his party.[9] He also supported and promised maintaining women's right to work outside and freedom of clothing if the party forms government.[10]

However, Rahman has expressed opposition to female leadership in his party. In an interview with Al Jazeera, he claimed that women's "physical difference" from the men restricts them to maternal duties. Moreover, he has frequently spoken about women's challenge of balancing professional duties and motherhood. He has even said that if his party forms government, those women who choose to stay at home instead of working outside will be rewarded by the government. He has indirectly encouraged women to withdraw from the workforce.[11] Additionally, he has advocated reducing female working hours from eight to five hours after the maternity leave with the "consent of mothers", with the rest of the working hours to be paid by the government; a move for which he has been criticized multiple times.[12][11]

Public image[edit | edit source]

Rahman with the incumbent Bangladeshi prime minister Tarique Rahman at an iftar ceremony, 28 February 2026

During the Jamaat-e-Islami's campaign for the 2026 general election, fan-made election campaign banners in different parts of Bangladesh depicting Rahman in a design inspired by the television series Game of Thrones, accompanied by the phrase "Winter Is Coming", drew public attention.[13][14][15]

According to an Al Jazeera report, Rahman is often addressed as "Dadu" (Grandfather) by his young supporters during the campaign. The report adds that his white beard, soft-spoken nature, and attentiveness to supporters align with this image.[16]

Personal life[edit | edit source]

Rahman was married on 5 January 1985 to Ameena Begum. She served as MP for a reserved seat in the 2001 Bangladeshi general election in support of Jamaat-e-Islami. The couple have two daughters and one son.[17][4][18] He claimed that one of his cousin was a martyred freedom fighter in the Liberation War.[19]

Health[edit | edit source]

On 19 July 2025, Shafiqur Rahman got sick and collapsed while he was giving a speech against corruption during the national rally of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami in Suhrawardy Udyan, Dhaka. After completing the speech, he was sent to the Ibna Sina Medical College .[20][21][22][23][24][25] Later on he was admitted to United Hospital Limited under cardiologist Dr Jahangir Kabir. [26][27][28] An angiogram revealed three major blockages, leading to an urgent open-heart bypass surgery, where four bypasses were performed.[29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36]

Controversies[edit | edit source]

Alleged X account hack[edit | edit source]

On 31 January 2026 at 16.37 BST, a post was made from Rahman's X account that made derogatory remarks on women working out of home, including comparing their work with "prostitution". Later Rahman's Facebook post at night and his party's news conference the later day claimed that his X account was hacked from an email sent from the Bangabhaban and it was recovered by the party's cyber team within 55 minutes of the post being made. A general diary (GD) was also filed by Rahman at Hatirjheel police station. The post created heavy controversy, the opposition challenged the narrative, particularly the claimed account recovery within 55 minutes, and protests occurred in multiple places in the country.[37][38][39] The assistant programmer of Bangabhaban Mohammad Sarwar Alam was detained under the Cyber Security Ordinance, 2025.[40] An investigation by the Dissent, a digital investigative media outlet based in Dhaka, found evidence of attempted hacking of devices and accounts used to manage social media accounts of Jamaat's central leaders.[41]

Philanthropy[edit | edit source]

Rahman runs a number of charity and nonprofit organizations and institutions in his native region Sylhet. He is also one of the founders of Sylhet Women's Medical College. Many non-Muslims also work in his organisations and institutions.[42]

Electoral history[edit | edit source]

Year Constituency Party Votes % Result
2001 Moulvibazar-2 Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami 12,415 7.2 Lost
2018 Dhaka-15 39,071 11.47 Lost
2026 85,131 54.20 Won

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "Jamaat accuses Reuters of misreporting Shafiqur Rahman's 'hacked post'". The Business Standard. 10 February 2026. Retrieved 12 February 2026.
  2. ↑ "Jamaat ameer clarifies party's position on women amid social media controversy". Dhaka Tribune. Retrieved 12 February 2026.
  3. ↑ ঢাকা-১৫ আসনে নির্বাচন করতে চান জামায়াত সেক্রেটারি ডা: শফিক. Daily Naya Diganta (in Bengali). Archived from the original on 12 November 2019. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 আমীরে জামায়াত ডা. শফিকুর রহমান এর সংক্ষিপ্ত জীবন বৃত্তান্ত. Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami (in Bengali). Archived from the original on 27 October 2022. Retrieved 27 October 2022.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 "জামায়াতের আমির শফিকুর রহমান গোপনেই 'ইসলামপন্থি' সংগঠনের দেখা পেয়েছিলেন" [Ameer of Jamaat Shafiqur Rahman had found the "Islamist" organization secretly]. BBC Bangla (in Bengali). 11 February 2026.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 "Shafiqur elected Jamaat's Ameer". The Daily Star. 12 November 2019. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  7. ↑ "No party suffered like Jamaat: Ameer Shafiqur Rahman". The Business Standard. 15 October 2024. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
  8. ↑ Parvez, Altaf. "জামায়াতের আমির শফিকুর রহমান আর কত দূর এগোবেন" [How far Ameer of Jamaat Shafiqur Rahman will go ahead]. Prothom Alo (in Bengali). Retrieved 27 February 2026.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Ahmad, Saleh Uddin (31 October 2025). বিএনপি ও জামায়াত কে কোন ফ্যাক্টরে এগিয়ে. Prothom Alo (Opinion) (in Bengali).
  10. ↑ জামায়াতে কৌশল পরিবর্তন, নারী নেতাকর্মী প্রকাশ্যে. Samakal (in Bengali). 18 March 2025.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Jamil, Siam Sarower (9 February 2026). "Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami's Election Doublespeak". The Guardian.
  12. ↑ "নারীদের কর্মঘণ্টা কমানো হবে: জামায়াতের আমির". Prothom Alo (in Bengali).
  13. ↑ "Posters modelled on Game of Thrones featuring Jamaat ameer in Chattogram intersections". Prothom Alo. 2 February 2026. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
  14. ↑ "From Westeros to Ctg: 'Game of Thrones'-style banner of Jamaat chief sparks buzz in port city". The Business Standard. 2 February 2026. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
  15. ↑ "'উইন্টার ইজ কামিং': গেম অব থ্রোনস আবহে জামায়াত আমিরের ব্যানার নিয়ে তোলপাড়". Somoy News. 2 February 2026. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
  16. ↑ Billah, Masum (9 February 2026). "Bangladesh's Jamaat leader Shafiqur Rahman: The man everyone wants to meet". Al Jazeera English. Retrieved 9 February 2026.
  17. ↑ ঢাকা-১৫ আসন থেকে মনোনয়নপত্র সংগ্রহ করলেন ডা. শফিকুর রহমান. The Daily Sangram (in Bengali). Archived from the original on 7 October 2023. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  18. ↑ জাসদ ছাত্রলীগ থেকে যেভাবে জামায়াতের আমির হলেন ডা. শফিকুর রহমান. Daily Kalbela. 29 August 2024.
  19. ↑ "'আমার ভাই বাংলাদেশের এমন চিত্র দেখলে হয়ত সেদিন মুক্তিযুদ্ধ করতেন না'". Daily Ittefaq. 7 February 2026.
  20. ↑ বক্তব্যের সময় মঞ্চে ঢলে পড়লেন জামায়াত আমির. The Daily Ittefaq (in Bengali). 19 July 2025. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
  21. ↑ সমাবেশ মঞ্চে অসুস্থ হয়ে পড়েছেন জামায়াত আমির (in Bengali). Jugantor. 19 July 2025. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
  22. ↑ জামায়াত আমির এখন কেমন আছেন? (in Bengali). Somoy TV. 19 July 2025. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
  23. ↑ মঞ্চে পড়ে গেলেন জামায়াত আমির, বসেই দিলেন বক্তৃতা (in Bengali). bdnews24.com. 19 July 2025. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
  24. ↑ বক্তব্য চলাকালে অসুস্থ হয়ে পড়ে গেলেন জামায়াত আমির. The Daily Star (in Bengali). 19 July 2025. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
  25. ↑ মঞ্চে অসুস্থ হয়ে পড়লেন জামায়াত আমির (in Bengali). Daily Naya Diganta. 19 July 2025. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
  26. ↑ bdnews24.com. "Jamaat-e-Islami chief Shafiqur undergoes open-heart surgery". Jamaat chief Shafiqur undergoes heart surgery. Retrieved 21 January 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  27. ↑ "Jamaat Ameer returns home after successful bypass surgery | Others". BSS. Retrieved 21 January 2026.
  28. ↑ "Jamaat ameer undergoes successful bypass surgery". Dhaka Tribune. Retrieved 21 January 2026.
  29. ↑ "Jamaat Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman returns home after successful surgery". Bangladesh Jamaat-e-islami. Retrieved 21 January 2026.
  30. ↑ "Jamaat ameer undergoes successful bypass surgery | The Daily Star". www.thedailystar.net. Retrieved 21 January 2026.
  31. ↑ Banglanews24. "Jamaat chief undergoes successful bypass surgery". banglanews24.com (in Bengali). Retrieved 21 January 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  32. ↑ "Jamaat Ameer's open heart surgery successfully completed - Business in Bangladesh". 2 August 2025. Retrieved 21 January 2026.
  33. ↑ jagonews24.com. "Jamaat amir undergoes successful bypass surgery". jagonews24.com. Archived from the original on 2 August 2025. Retrieved 21 January 2026.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  34. ↑ "Jamaat ameer hospitalised with three heart blockages; doctors recommend bypass surgery". The Business Standard. 31 July 2025. Retrieved 21 January 2026.
  35. ↑ "Lens Asia - Jamaat Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman to Undergo Open-Heart surgery on Today Morning". lensasia.net. Retrieved 21 January 2026.
  36. ↑ Amader Barta. "Jamaat Ameer undergoes 'successful' bypass surgery | Politics News". Amader Barta | আমাদের বার্তা. Retrieved 21 January 2026.
  37. ↑ "কর্মজীবী নারীদের বিষয়ে পোস্ট নিয়ে শোরগোল, এক্স অ্যাকাউন্ট হ্যাকের দাবি জামায়াতের". BBC Bangla (in Bengali). 1 February 2025.
  38. ↑ "কর্মজীবী নারীদের নিয়ে জামায়াত আমিরের 'এক্স' পোস্টের প্রতিবাদে ঢাকা বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়ে ঝাড়ুমিছিল". Prothom Alo (in Bengali). 1 February 2026.
  39. ↑ "জামায়াত আমিরের মন্তব্যের প্রতিবাদে জাহাঙ্গীরনগরে ঝাড়ু ও মশালমিছিল". Prothom Alo (in Bengali). 1 February 2026.
  40. ↑ "জামিন পেলেন বঙ্গভবনের সেই কর্মকর্তা ছরওয়ার". Bangla Tribune (in Bengali). 5 February 2026.
  41. ↑ "Evidence Show Indications of Hacking Attempts in Jamaat's Central Office Devices and Accounts". The Dissent. Retrieved 15 February 2026.
  42. ↑ "জামায়াত আমিরের প্রতিষ্ঠানে চাকরি করেন হিন্দু-বৌদ্ধ-খ্রিস্টানও". Kalbela (in Bengali). 31 August 2024. Retrieved 11 February 2026.

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Political offices
Preceded by
Maqbul Ahmed 		Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh
2019–Present 		Succeeded by
TBD

Template:Islamism in Bangladesh

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