Jamaat-e-Islami reenters Bangladesh politics after decade long ban

DHAKA: Bangladesh’s Supreme Court has reinstated the registration of Jamaat-e-Islami, the country’s largest Islamist party, allowing it to contest the upcoming elections after being deregistered ten years ago.

The court overturned the party’s previous cancellation of its registration and directed the Election Commission to follow legal procedures to formally incorporate the party. Lawyer Towhidul Islam, representing the Election Commission, confirmed the decision.

JI’s legal representative, Shashir Munir, welcomed the ruling, stressing that it would promote a democratic and inclusive political environment in the Muslim-majority country of 170 million. Munir expressed hope that citizens from all backgrounds would support the party, leading to lively parliamentary debates.

The right-wing party had previously appealed against the ban following the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August, challenging a 2013 court order that barred the party from political activities.

The order follows an earlier ruling by the Supreme Court on May 27 to quash the death sentence of Jamaat leader ATM Azharul Islam, who was convicted for crimes committed during Bangladesh’s 1971 war of independence.

Jamaat-e-Islami’s controversial alliance with Pakistan during the war of independence has stirred strong emotions in Bangladesh. Historically, the party has been a political rival of the country’s founder and Hasina’s father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

The Jamaat was banned during Hasina’s tenure and its leaders faced a severe crackdown.