Dhaka: Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Saida Shinichi today met with Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman at Jamaat’s central office to discuss matters of mutual interest. The meeting was held in a spirit of sincerity and cordiality.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Dr Shafiqur Rahman began the discussion by presenting a brief history of his party and highlighting its stance on freedom of speech and religious rights. The Jamaat Ameer conveyed concerns over political repression in Bangladesh, specifically criticizing the previous Awami League government’s handling of the electoral system. He cited the controversial elections of 2014, 2018, and 2024, noting that the then Japanese ambassador referred to the 2018 election as the ‘election of midnight’.
Dr Rahman further detailed the imprisonment, torture, abduction, and enforced disappearances of Jamaat leaders, claiming they were victims of false accusations during what he described as a fascist regime. He asserted that Jamaat Islami suffered the most during this period.
Ambassador Saida Shinichi expressed gratitude to Dr Rahman for the insights shared and emphasized the importance of a free, fair, and peaceful election process in Bangladesh. He conveyed Japan’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and expressed optimism about the upcoming general election.
The meeting was attended by several senior Jamaat leaders, including ATM Azharul Islam, Nayeb-e-Ameer Dr Syed Abdullah Md Taher, AMN Shamsul Islam, Prof Miah Golam Parwar, Advocate Matiur Rahman Akond, Mobarak Hussain, and foreign affairs adviser Prof Dr Mahmudul Hassan.