An Islamist celebration turns into Bangladesh’s primary opposition for the primary time : NPR

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Sajjad Hussain/AFP through Getty Photographs DHAKA, Bangladesh – An Islamist celebration has change into Bangladesh's primary opposition for the primary time within the nation's historical past, difficult the previous dynastic political system regardless of persistent issues amongst critics concerning the celebration's insurance policies on ladies.

Jamaat-e-Islami's 11-party alliance gained 77 of 300 seats in final week's polls, in line with closing outcomes introduced by the nation's election fee on Sunday. Of these, Jamaat gained 68, a report excessive. It had by no means earlier than gained greater than 18 seats. The coed-led Nationwide Citizen Celebration (NCP) gained six and the rest went to minor events.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Celebration (BNP) gained a landslide 212 seats, giving it the two-thirds majority and setting Tarique Rahman, who hails from a strong political household, on the right track to change into prime minister. Developments in Bangladesh are being intently watched past its borders. It's the world's eighth-most populous nation and second-largest garment exporter after China, supplying main manufacturers to Europe and america - a place the BNP will likely be eager to guard.

The nation's different main celebration, the Awami League, was banned from collaborating within the polls. Its chief, former autocratic prime minister Sheikh Hasina, fled the nation after the lethal 2024 student-led rebellion that toppled her authorities and paved the way in which for this vote.

<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/8640x5760+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F1d%2F14%2Fb62eb90a45a2b10a2d75060ffdf7%2Fap26044393219501.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/8640x5760+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F1d%2F14%2Fb62eb90a45a2b10a2d75060ffdf7%2Fap26044393219501.jpg" class="img" alt="People offer Friday prayers on a road outside a mosque a day after the national parliamentary election in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Friday, Feb. 13, 2026." loading="lazy"/> Individuals provide Friday prayers on a street exterior a mosque a day after the nationwide parliamentary election in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Friday, Feb. 13, 2026. Anupam Nath/AP conceal caption

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Anupam Nath/AP Jamaat-e-Islami's chief, Shafiqur Rahman, who will not be associated to the BNP's Tarique Rahman, initially claimed there had been irregularities throughout voting. He later conceded defeat and stated in an announcement: "We acknowledge the general final result and we respect the rule of legislation. We'll function a vigilant, principled, and peaceable opposition, holding the federal government to account."

A stunning consequence after a long time on the periphery Jamaat's consequence has come as a shock to many, partially as a result of the celebration opposed Bangladesh's independence in 1971 and sided with Pakistan throughout the warfare.

On the time, its leaders have been accused of committing widespread atrocities, together with rape, torture and homicide — accusations the celebration has constantly rejected.

A few of its senior members have been tried and located responsible of these crimes in a specifically shaped court docket from 2010 to 2013, when the Awami League was in energy. Some got demise sentences, whereas others obtained life imprisonment. Jamaat maintains that the trials have been politically motivated.

The celebration was additionally banned at varied instances, most not too long ago by the Awami League in 2023. The ban was lifted following the 2024 rebellion, permitting Jamaat to reemerge as a serious electoral contender.

"Many citizens are younger, and so they do not wish to reside up to now. They wish to construct their future. Jamaat has been saying issues that appear extra sensible and achievable," Maimul Ahsan Khan, a retired legislation professor of legislation at Dhaka College, advised NPR.

Nonetheless, he added, "I feel Jamaat would have gotten much more seats if it didn't have the previous baggage of affinity to Pakistan and 1971."

<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/7314x4876+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fa0%2Feb%2F5f9b7b404d2f9b9afa51984cde6b%2Fap26043293987280.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/7314x4876+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fa0%2Feb%2F5f9b7b404d2f9b9afa51984cde6b%2Fap26043293987280.jpg" class="img" alt="Women queue up to cast their vote at a polling station during Bangladesh's national parliamentary election, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026." loading="lazy"/> Ladies queue as much as solid their vote at a polling station throughout Bangladesh's nationwide parliamentary election, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026. Mahmud Hossain Opu/AP conceal caption

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Mahmud Hossain Opu/AP Observers say the consequence might mark simply step one for Jamaat in rebuilding its political affect.

"With 77 seats, we've got practically quadrupled our parliamentary presence and change into one of many strongest opposition blocs in fashionable Bangladeshi politics. That's not a setback. That could be a basis," stated Shafiqur Rahman.

Civil rights issues Whereas greater than 90 p.c of Bangladesh's inhabitants is Muslim, its political system ensures equal rights for minority religions.

Though Jamaat has Sharia — or Islamic — legislation enshrined in its structure, it has not too long ago softened its public picture, taking a extra average tone on faith and saying it would respect Bangladesh's political system.

It fielded one Hindu candidate throughout the election however no ladies, and Shafiqur Rahman has publicly stated no lady can lead the celebration.

Nonetheless, Jon Danilowicz, an impartial political analyst and retired former diplomat who served in Bangladesh, advised NPR that violence in opposition to minority teams in Bangladesh has a protracted historical past and is usually pushed by components in addition to ideology alone.

"Typically it is pushed by economics and different points," he says, and minority teams have "been equally victimized by the BNP and Awami League."

Danilowicz says that regarding the celebration's remedy of girls, "they body it as safety and security and when it comes to household and preserving the function of girls inside a household construction."

Jamaat's first checks are to display that it could maintain the brand new authorities accountable and to implement the July Nationwide Constitution — a set of reforms to forestall a return to autocracy — which might assist to reassure tens of millions of Bangladeshis who nonetheless mistrust the celebration.