Bangladesh Politics: The Rise and Fall of Islamist Parties

In a dramatic turn of events, Bangladesh’s largest Islamist party, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), was banned by the former government led by Sheikh Hasina, who accused the party of involvement in terrorist activities. However, after Hasina’s government was dissolved, the interim government under Muhammed Yunus reversed the ban, aiming to create a fair political playing field.

As the country prepares for new elections, the future of Islamist parties hangs in the balance. Lawyer Shishir Munir believes that JI has the opportunity to adapt and thrive in the changing political landscape. Senior leader Syed Mohammad Mosaddek Billah sees a shift in support for Islamist parties, which were previously suppressed.

However, demands from Islamist groups, such as Hefazat-e-Islam, for withdrawal of cases and bans on rival parties like Awami League pose challenges for the interim government. Critics like Ridwanul Hoque question the legality of such bans, while rights groups raise concerns about transparency in the government’s actions.

As Bangladesh navigates its political future, the role of Islamist parties and the impact of the interim government’s decisions remain under scrutiny.

Edited by: Wesley Rahn