Bangladesh Islamist Leader Apologizes for Party’s Dark Past Ahead of Elections

A half-hearted apology for decades of violence leaves survivors and activists furious. Will this move sway voters before February’s elections—or deepen distrust?

, and Administrator

2025 November 5 . 11:21 PM

1 min read

This image consists of a man wearing black suit is standing and talking in a mic. In the... — This image consists of a man wearing black suit is standing and talking in a mic. In the background, there is a wall in brown color. To the right, there are flags.

Bangladesh Islamist Leader Apologizes for Party’s Dark Past Ahead of Elections

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami chief Shafiqur Rahman has issued an apology for the party's 'past mistakes', ahead of the February national elections. However, critics argue that the apology lacks sincerity and specificity, as it does not explicitly acknowledge Jamaat-e-Islami's role in the 1971 Liberation War atrocities.

Rahman addressed longstanding calls for acknowledgement, stating that some people had demanded an apology even if no specific crime was committed. Rahman's apology, however, does not clearly state what the party is apologizing for, leading to skepticism about its genuineness. The apology covers the period from 1947 to October 22, 2025, seeking forgiveness for unspecified suffering caused by the party.

Jamaat-e-Islami collaborated with Pakistan during the 1971 Liberation War, and its leaders were involved in war crimes and human rights violations. Rahman's apology, which includes an admission of Jamaat-e-Islami's involvement in war crimes during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, including atrocities such as genocide and mass killings, has been welcomed by some but criticized by others for its lack of detail and sincerity.

Shafiqur Rahman's apology for Jamaat-e-Islami's 'past mistakes' has sparked debate in Bangladesh. While some welcome the apology, others criticize its lack of specificity and sincerity. The party's role in the 1971 Liberation War atrocities remains a contentious issue ahead of the upcoming elections.