In a dramatic reversal, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami chief Shafiqur Rahman has softened his stance on women after facing widespread outrage over inflammatory social media comments. What started as a tirade against working women as harbingers of ‘moral decay’ has transformed into solemn promises of protection and honor should his party assume governance.
Local outlets first spotlighted Rahman’s offending post from Saturday evening, where he derided women’s professional engagements. The response was immediate: condemnation poured in from across political spectrums and social activists, branding the views as antithetical to modern Bangladesh.
Addressing supporters in Kurigram, Rahman extended an olive branch to women. The Daily Star quoted him saying, ‘Your full security and dignity in every sphere—homes, roads, offices—will be our commitment.’ He evoked national pride: ‘No true Bangladesh leaves its mothers unsafe. We will safeguard sisters and daughters, empowering you to stand tall and speak boldly.’
Rahman also deflected blame, suggesting BNP orchestrated a hack on his accounts to discredit him. This follows BNP leader Tarique Rahman’s sharp rebuke, where he accused Jamaat of endangering women’s freedoms. Per Bonik Barta, Tarique stated, ‘Parties disrespecting women, mocking their jobs, can’t be trusted with the nation’s security.’
Echoing deeper party ideologies, women’s wing head Noorunnisa Siddika previously defended barring women from top posts, citing Quranic tenets on male guardianship. She stressed rights implementation over titles.
With polls looming, this episode reveals the tightrope Jamaat walks on gender issues. Rahman’s outreach could sway undecided female voters, but skeptics question if it’s more strategy than sincerity. The saga spotlights Bangladesh’s ongoing battle for women’s empowerment amid conservative undercurrents.
