Bangladesh’s friends of Pakistan

2026-02-19 - 00:13

BANGLADESH has finally reached the point it was destined to reach; the rest is mere commentary. The people have clearly delivered their verdict in favour of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). We welcome this decision and congratulate Tarique Rahman, who has been elected Prime Minister. Several aspects of Bangladesh’s elections are noteworthy. Given recent unrest and past trends, there were serious apprehensions that the electoral process might turn violent. Contrary to these fears, the elections remained largely peaceful—an encouraging and new reality for Bangladesh. Equally significant is the conduct of Jamaat-e-Islami, which accepted the BNP’s victory with grace and extended its congratulations. In this context, the statement by Jamaat’s Ameer, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, deserves appreciation: his party will not indulge in opposition for the sake of opposition, but will instead play a constructive role. These two developments inspire hope that a new and positive phase is beginning in the land of Bengal. Another heartening reality is that pro-Pakistan political forces have emerged victorious in Bangladesh. Whether it is the BNP or Jamaat-e-Islami, both can be regarded as reliable from Pakistan’s perspective. For Pakistanis, a key point of interest in Bangladesh’s elections is the performance of Jamaat-e-Islami. The question of whether Jamaat could have formed the government is intriguing. In Pakistan, sympathy for Jamaat is not limited to its affiliates alone; many ordinary citizens feel emotionally connected to it due to its sacrifices for Pakistan’s integrity and the courage with which it endured harsh punishments during Sheikh Hasina’s repressive rule. Despite knowing that Jamaat expected around fifty to sixty seats, there remained a quiet wish that it might finally be given an opportunity to govern. While this sentiment is understandable, a more important question arises. That question is: how did Jamaat-e-Islami—subjected to relentless persecution under Sheikh Hasina and presumed by its adversaries to have been eliminated—suddenly re-emerge with full strength after the student uprising? This is particularly striking given that the effort to crush Jamaat was not merely an internal matter. India was deeply involved in this process. With Sheikh Hasina’s full backing, the Indian intelligence agency RAW actively worked to dismantle Jamaat-e-Islami and its institutions in Bangladesh. Yet, when circumstances changed, Jamaat resurfaced with remarkable energy. What explains this resilience? Understanding this is essential for grasping the nature and character of Islamic movements in Muslim societies. The first and most fundamental point is this: what is it about Jamaat-e-Islami that even the brutal repression of the Hasina era failed to break its organization or morale? To understand this, one must turn to Abul A‘laMaududi. When Jamaat-e-Islami in Pakistan faced persecution and even death sentences, Maududi famously observed that “we are iron pellets that can neither be swallowed nor spat out.” Whether in Bangladesh, Pakistan, or India, Jamaat-e-Islami remains essentially the same movement founded by Maududi. Those who view it merely as a political party misunderstand its true nature. It is a political party, but not only a political party; it is fundamentally a movement. Movements are of two types: temporary and enduring. Temporary movements arise in response to specific circumstances and fade away after success or failure, as seen in Pakistan’s lawyers’ movement during General Musharraf’s rule. Enduring movements, however, are built on ideological foundations. Even if banned, suppressed, or subjected to extreme coercion, they survive in one form or another. By their very nature, they resemble water: they inevitably find a path forward. The case of Jamaat-e-Islami in India is distinct, as it does not participate in politics. In Pakistan and Bangladesh, however, those who join Jamaat do so not merely for political gain. They dedicate their lives to a higher purpose: the elevation and preservation of truth (Iqamat-e-Haqq). This concept entails upholding truth and remaining steadfast in its defense. When Maududi founded Jamaat-e-Islami, he made it clear to his followers that they were undertaking a mission akin to that of the prophets—a responsibility that, after the finality of prophethood, now rests with the Muslim community. He warned that this path was not a bed of roses but one strewn with hardships and trials. The organizational strength of Jamaat-e-Islami is rooted in this very understanding, reinforced by Maududi’s personal example. He himself endured severe trials and faced the prospect of death with unwavering resolve. Whenever Jamaat encounters difficult times, its workers draw inspiration not only from Islamic history but also from Maududi’s own steadfastness, enabling them to remain firm. Another source of Jamaat-e-Islami’s resilience lies in the total commitment of its members. The organization is not clandestine, yet its workers dedicate themselves to it wholly. Their training is inspired by the Qur’anic injunction to “enter into Islam completely.” This does not imply that those outside Jamaat are outside Islam; rather, it reflects a conscious decision by its members to pursue a disciplined, collective mission. For them, affiliation with Jamaat is an all-encompassing commitment. Because Jamaat’s members devote their entire lives to the movement, a strong system of mutual support, social reform, and public service emerges. Even if the formal organizational structure comes under pressure, this social and ideological network continues to function. The bonds among its members do not dissolve, and this self-sustaining system remains Jamaat-e-Islami’s greatest asset—protecting it from the fate that befalls ordinary political parties. These factors explain why, with the end of Sheikh Hasina’s era of repression, Jamaat-e-Islami in Bangladesh rapidly reasserted itself and has now become a major stakeholder in the country’s political system. Its strength stems from the steadfastness of its followers and its pragmatic political strategy—one that prioritizes alliances and broad appeal while keeping ideological sensitivities from narrowing its popular base. —This writer is former advisor to the President of Pakistan, author & mass media theorist. (farooq.adilbhuta@gmail,com)