With the approach of elections in Bangladesh, where around 170 million people live and the majority practice Sunni Islam, Islamist organizations are beginning active mobilization. They aim to reclaim their place in the political life of the country after a long period of restrictions, according to information from the online publication Barron’s.
These will be the first elections since the change of power in 2024, and Islamists, particularly the Jamaat-e-Islami party, are considering the possibility of returning to the political arena. After many years of pressure and bans, this party is preparing to participate in the elections, putting forward joint candidate lists in collaboration with other political groups, including the National Civil Party, formed by students who were active in the protest movement of 2024.
In previous years, the government pursued a tough policy against Islamists, which manifested in legal prosecutions and restrictions on their activities. However, with the changing political atmosphere, some leaders of Islamist movements have been released, contributing to their greater visibility in society.
Islamist parties emphasize the need to protect traditional values and demand regulation of cultural events that they believe contradict religious norms. Within the Islamist movement, there remains a wide range of ideological views, including Deobandi, Wahhabi, and Salafi traditions.
Moreover, the religious landscape of Bangladesh includes other currents. The Sufi tradition has a significant influence on the Muslim community, and there are also Shia, Ahmadiyya, and representatives of non-Muslim faiths, such as Hindus and Christians, living in the country. This religious pluralism plays an important role in the political landscape.
Analysts emphasize that the participation of Islamists in the elections is part of a broader political transformation and search for a new balance in the country. The real strength of these parties will depend on the election results and the ability of various political participants to engage in constructive dialogue within the constitutional process.
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