On Wednesday evening in Dhaka, Rahman, the 67 year old chief of Jamaat e Islami, unveiled his party’s election manifesto ahead of the February 12 polls. The headline promise was bold: to grow Bangladesh’s economy to $2 trillion by 2040, nearly four times its current size.

Speaking to politicians and diplomats, Rahman pledged investment in technology driven agriculture, manufacturing, information technology, education, and healthcare. He also promised higher foreign investment and stronger public spending.

Economists were quick to raise eyebrows. Some called the plan heavy on hope and light on detail. But analysts say the manifesto is less about numbers and more about message. Jamaat is trying to show it belongs in the future, not the margins.

A Political Vacuum, A Sudden Rise

Rahman’s growing influence is closely tied to Bangladesh’s changing political landscape. The July 2024 uprising that forced Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from office did more than end a long rule. It shattered the familiar two-party system that had shaped the country for decades. With the Awami League sidelined and the BNP standing almost alone, a political vacuum opened up.

Many expected student led movements to fill that space. Instead, Jamaat moved fast and filled it well. Once banned and boxed out, Jamaat is now running neck and neck with the BNP in opinion polls. For the first time in years, the question is being asked openly. Could Shafiqur Rahman become Bangladesh’s next prime minister?


A Leader Shaped by Pressure

Rahman is not a loud man. A former government doctor, he speaks softly and chooses his words carefully. He became Jamaat’s chief in 2019, when the party was banned. In 2022, he was arrested on charges linked to militancy and spent 15 months in detention before securing bail. In 2025, the case against him was dropped.

Since then, his public appearances have carried emotional weight. At a massive rally last July, Rahman collapsed twice due to heat but returned to finish his speech. Supported by doctors, he told the crowd. ‘As long as Allah grants me life, I will fight for the people.’

Moments like this have shaped his image not as a firebrand, but as a steady figure in an exhausted nation.

Reinventing Jamaat’s Image

Rahman’s biggest challenge is not winning votes; it is winning trust. For decades, Jamaat has been defined by its Islamist ideology and its controversial role during Bangladesh’s 1971 independence war. Rahman has avoided detailed admissions but has acknowledged the party’s ‘past mistakes,’ asking forgiveness if harm was done.

Supporters call this realism. Critics call it careful silence. At the same time, Jamaat is sending new signals. The party has nominated a Hindu candidate for the first time. Senior leaders say they will not impose Islamic law. Foreign diplomats, including from Europe, India, and the United States are engaging openly.

Yet tensions remain. Rahman has said a woman cannot lead the party, citing biological roles remarks that reignited criticism of Jamaat’s stance on gender equality. Analysts say this reflects a deeper contradiction: a party trying to look modern while holding onto old beliefs.


‘Dadu’ and the Youth Factor

Among young supporters, Rahman is known by an affectionate name. ‘Dadu’ grandfather. White bearded and soft-spoken, he speaks to young people with respect rather than reprimand. In a political culture often marked by anger and arrogance, that tone stands out.

‘He listens,’ said one Gen Z supporter. ‘He doesn’t talk down to us.’ This quiet connection has helped Jamaat reach beyond its traditional base, especially among voters tired of corruption, confrontation, and chaos.

What Comes Next

Whether Jamaat wins or not, one thing is clear: Shafiqur Rahman is no longer on the sidelines. From banned leader to diplomatic meeting rooms, from political exile to opinion polls, his journey reflects a country in transition. His ideas are still being tested. His limits are still visible. But his grip on Jamaat and his place in Bangladesh’s political conversation is firm.

In a moment of uncertainty, Rahman has become a figure many want to meet, many want to hear, and many are watching closely.