Ameer Shafiqur Rahman Collapsed Twice Middle Of His Speech

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman today (19 July) announced that if the party is voted to power, it will not engage in extortion or any types of corruption.

Speaking at the party's first national rally in the capital's historic Suhrawardy Udyan, the Jamaat ameer assured people saying, "We will not accept extortion, we will not engage in corruption, and we will not tolerate it."

He further said, "Today, in the presence of millions, I declare that if Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami comes to power, no MP or minister will accept government plots, use tax-exempt government vehicles. No MP or minister will personally handle public funds. Every taka allocated for parliamentary and ministerial seats will be transparently accounted for before the people of Bangladesh.

Shafiqur called for a renewed national struggle against widespread corruption.

He urged citizens to unite once again, just as they had in past movements, to restore justice and accountability in the country.

"As long as Allah grants us life, we will continue to fight for the people, Insha Allah. Our struggle will persist until true freedom is achieved. Jamaat-e-Islami seeks power not for privilege, but to serve the people of Bangladesh," he said.

"This is the Bangladesh we dream of," he said, adding, "To our fellow fighters in the July movement, I want to say, we stand with you. I have not come today as an ameer, but as a friend to the children, a brother to the youth, and a comrade to the elderly in our shared struggle."

Before falling ill mid-speech, Shafiqur said the youths sacrificed their lives during last year's mass uprising to bring freedom to this country, and their sacrifice should not be diminished by referring to them as "mere children".

"If not for their movement, where would those making demands today be?" he asked.

He urged everyone to recognise the blessings granted by Allah in exchange for their sacrifice and warned against disregarding them.

"If we fail to acknowledge this, we must understand that fascism has taken root once again. We do not want to see another era of fascist rule in this country. We speak of building a corruption-free Bangladesh — our next battle is against corruption," he declared.

In his address, the Jamaat ameer noted that two individuals fell ill and died on their way to the rally, and another person died at the venue.

The Jamaat chief collapsed on stage shortly after starting his speech. After a brief recovery, he resumed speaking but fell ill again, continuing his address from a seated position.

Party sources said the Jamaat chief was hispitalised following his address in the rally.

At the rally, party Nayeb-e-Ameer Abdullah Mohammad Taher said elections under the proportional representation (PR) system are the most appropriate method in the current political context.

Taher emphasised that only a PR-based election can truly reflect the will of the people and ensure meaningful representation in parliament.

Echoing similar sentiments, Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar said, "We demand the next election be held under the PR system. A level playing field must be established to ensure a fair democratic process."

"Today's ocean of people is a storm of protest against years of injustice. Jamaat-e-Islami is the most persecuted political party in Bangladesh," he said.

Senior Jamaat leaders, leaders from other political parties including National Citizen Party (NCP), Hefazat-e-Islam, Gono Odhikar Parishad also spoke at the rally.

Suhrawardy Udyan turned into a sea of people today as Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami held its first-ever solo national rally at the historic venue, drawing tens of thousands of leaders, activists, and supporters from across the country.

Ameer Shafiqur Rahman was admitted to a hospital in the capital this evening. According to the party's press wing, Shafiqur's physical condition is stable, as his blood pressure and sugar levels are under control.

According to the party, this is the largest solo political gathering in its history, estimating over one million attendees after nearly a month of preparations.

While Jamaat had previously participated in joint rallies at Suhrawardy Udyan alongside the BNP, this marks its first major solo political demonstration at the historic venue.

Later this evening Ameer Shafiqur Rahman was admitted to a hospital in the capital. According to the party's press wing, Shafiqur's physical condition is stable, as his blood pressure and sugar levels are under control.