Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has returned home after performing Umrah in Saudi Arabia and visiting the United States, the United Kingdom, and Turkey.He arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka early on Tuesday (November 4), where a large number of party leaders and activists welcomed him with flowers at the VIP lounge.Speaking at a press briefing upon his arrival, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said he left Bangladesh on October 19 to perform Umrah and completed it within three days. On October 22, he arrived in the United States, where he held a series of meetings with government and non-government officials as well as Bangladeshi expatriates across several cities.
“We thanked the expatriates for their remarkable contribution to the country’s struggle for freedom,” he said. “We also urged the Election Commission to extend the deadline for voter registration so that more expatriates can exercise their voting rights.”
He added that many expatriates could not register as voters due to software complications and excessive conditions. “We demand the registration deadline be extended by at least 15 days,” he said.
Regarding his visit to Turkey, Dr. Rahman stated, “I did not travel abroad for personal reasons. Wherever I went, I spoke for the interests of the country and its people. We want Bangladesh to build respectful and mutually beneficial relations with all nations.”
In response to a question from journalists, the Jamaat chief said the BNP’s list of candidates is not yet final, and Jamaat will announce its final list in due course. “We will not contest the election alone; rather, we will participate in coordination with others in the greater national interest,” he added.
Addressing the issue of political differences, Dr. Rahman said, “Differences of opinion are a beauty of democracy. However, we pray that differences do not turn into divisions.”
Finally, he expressed gratitude to the journalists, saying, “You are the conscience of the nation. Your role is vital in building a humane and discrimination-free Bangladesh.”