Sat May 03 06:11:41 UTC 2025: ## Bangladesh Islamists Gain Momentum Ahead of Elections

**DHAKA, BANGLADESH** – Islamist groups in Bangladesh are poised to make significant political gains in upcoming elections, capitalizing on the weakened state of the government following last year’s mass uprising that ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. This resurgence is marked by a planned large-scale rally in Dhaka on May 3rd, 2025, showcasing the growing influence of religiously fueled activism.

Muhammad Mamunul Haque, joint secretary of Hefazat-e-Islam, a powerful coalition of Islamic schools, expressed confidence in the group’s prospects, stating their intention to push for the implementation of Sharia law. He cited their extensive network of seminaries and approximately 500,000 members as a testament to their potential electoral strength.

Hefazat-e-Islam, a coalition including Haque’s Khilafat-e-Majlis party, has been a significant player in Bangladeshi politics since its founding 15 years ago. The group’s growing power has been fueled by the absence of Prime Minister Hasina, who fled to India after the uprising and remains in self-imposed exile.

The rise of Islamist influence has sparked concerns among minority groups, including the Hindu minority and Sufi Muslims, as well as women, who have voiced apprehension over the Islamists’ demands to curtail cultural activities perceived as anti-Islamic. Incidents of vandalism targeting Sufi shrines and a library’s books deemed atheistic have further fueled these anxieties.

The upcoming elections, with a tentative deadline of June 2026, are expected to be highly contested. Major political players, including the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and the National Citizens Party (NCP), are also actively vying for support. Haque’s statements regarding the implementation of Sharia law, including the imposition of the death penalty for blasphemy, highlight the potentially transformative shift in Bangladeshi politics. The country’s constitution is founded on secular principles, creating a stark contrast to the Islamists’ stated goals.

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