Representatives from 30 countries, including India, at Jamaat’s policy summit

Representatives from around 30 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, India, and Pakistan, have participated in the Policy Summit 2026 organized by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami. The summit began on Tuesday (20 January) morning at a hotel in the capital.

A senior leader from Jamaat’s foreign affairs department said that representatives from various countries have been attending the summit since morning. So far, delegates from nearly 30 countries—including the European Union, China, Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Korea, India, Pakistan, Iran, Malaysia, Turkey, the Maldives, Brunei, and Sri Lanka—have arrived at the summit.

Earlier, Jamaat Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman delivered the keynote address at the opening of the summit. He said that the country’s main challenge is no longer mere survival, but ensuring stability.

At the event, Jamaat also unveiled its political and economic roadmap for a new and prosperous Bangladesh ahead of the upcoming election. Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said that Bangladesh’s history of independence is a long and unfinished struggle—a struggle for political freedom, economic emancipation, and human dignity.

He noted that the core objective of independence, achieved through the aspiration for freedom from colonial rule in 1947 and the Great Liberation War of 1971, was social justice and economic freedom. However, even after more than five decades, those promises have not been fully realized. He further said that over the past 17 years, failures in governance and authoritarian practices have weakened democratic institutions, reduced accountability, and narrowed citizens’ voices. In July 2024, the people—especially the youth—once again stood up demanding the restoration of their rights and future.

The Jamaat Ameer added, “After passing through a dark chapter of fascist rule, we now stand at a critical juncture of democratic transition. Major challenges still remain on this path.”