Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has said that no woman will ever be able to become the head of his party. He made the remarks in a recent interview with Qatar-based media outlet Al Jazeera, conducted by journalist Srinivasan Jain.
During the interview, the journalist asked how many women candidates Jamaat-e-Islami plans to nominate in the upcoming 13th national election. In response, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said that the party would not nominate even a single woman candidate. He explained that Jamaat’s approach reflects what he described as the culture of Bangladesh and added that the party is “preparing for the future,” emphasizing that such changes cannot happen overnight. He also stated that this position does not reflect any disrespect toward women.
When questioned about why other political parties have nominated at least some women candidates, the Jamaat Ameer reiterated that he had already answered and maintained that the party is moving gradually. He again stressed that Jamaat does not disrespect women.
Asked directly whether a woman could ever become the head of Jamaat-e-Islami, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman replied that it is not possible. He argued that men and women have been created differently by Allah, citing motherhood and child-rearing as responsibilities unique to women.
Responding to questions about female prime ministers in Bangladesh, he said Jamaat does not disrespect them but believes women have certain limitations and that, in his view, many developed countries also do not consider women suitable for such roles due to physical realities.
