Bangladesh’s Jamaat-e-Islami Issues Vague Apology Ahead of Elections
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami chief Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has offered an unconditional apology for the party’s past without explicitly addressing its controversial history. Speaking in New York on October 22, he said,
“From 1947 to today (October 22), whoever has suffered because of us, we seek their forgiveness, unconditionally.”
Despite this, the apology remained unclear. Rahman did not specify the crimes or incidents for which the party was apologizing, stating only,
“From 1947 to 2025, if on an unspecified day, an unspecified crime was committed.”
The Party’s Controversial Past
The Jamaat-e-Islami played a deeply contentious role during the 1971 Liberation War. It collaborated with Pakistan and was involved in acts of genocide, a legacy that continues to affect the party’s reputation.
Government Actions and Recent Developments
- Under Sheikh Hasina's rule from 2009 to 2024, Jamaat faced severe repression.
- Top leaders were tried for war crimes and executed.
- The party’s registration was canceled following High Court orders.
- A ban on the party was imposed during the final days of Hasina's government.
- After the government’s fall on August 5, 2024, the ban was lifted, allowing Jamaat to resume political activities.
Now, with elections approaching, Jamaat-e-Islami is re-entering the political scene despite its troubled legacy.
Summary: Jamaat-e-Islami’s recent vague apology avoids detailing the party’s controversial role in 1971 genocide, as it resumes political activity following lifted restrictions.