After years of repression, Islamist groups are mobilising ahead of Feb 12 elections, determined to gain a foothold in government as they sense their biggest opportunity in decades.
The South Asian nation – home to 170 million people, the vast majority Sunni Muslims – is preparing for its first polls since the mass uprising that toppled the autocratic government of Sheikh Hasina in 2024.
At the centre of this formidable push is the Jamaat-e-Islami, the country’s largest Islamist party.
Ideologically aligned with the Muslim Brotherhood, they are seeking a return to formal politics after years of crackdowns.
They have papered over divisions with several other Islamist groups for the election and put forward only male candidates.
The Jamaat has also allied with the National Citizen Party, formed by student leaders who spearheaded the 2024 uprising – prompting some aspiring female candidates to quit.
Hasina, who was blamed for extensive human rights abuses, took a tough stand against Islamist movements during her 15-year rule.
Under her tenure, several top Islamist leaders were sentenced to death – and several hanged – for war crimes.
They were accused of having supported Pakistan during Bangladesh’s 1971 independence war, a role that still sparks anger against Islamists from many in Bangladesh today.
Hasina, a one-time ally of the United States and close to the Hindu-nationalist government of neighbouring India, also launched crackdowns against Islamist insurgents.
Since Hasina fled to India, key Islamist leaders have been released from prison.
Groups have demanded restrictions on cultural activities including music and theatre festivals, women’s football matches and kite-flying celebrations.
Home to the world’s fourth-largest Muslim population, Bangladesh includes a wide range of beliefs.
The country’s two traditional power brokers – the Bangladesh National Party and the now-banned Awami League of Hasina – previously launched their election campaigns from a centuries-old Sufi shrine in the northern city of Sylhet.
Around 10% of Bangladeshis are not Muslim – the majority of those are Hindu, and the country is also home to a small number of Christians.
Jamaat-e-Islami has named a Hindu candidate – but analysts are sceptical.
“These efforts are to deceive the public. The reform is not coming from within,” political analyst Altaf Parvez said. — AFP
