A firestorm of criticism has erupted across social media following a highly controversial post from the verified X (formerly Twitter) account of Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, the Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami. The post, which took a radical stance against women’s leadership and employment, has been slammed as misogynistic and an insult to millions of working women in Bangladesh.
The Controversial Remarks
In the now-deleted post, the Jamaat chief’s account stated that the party’s position on women is “principled” and that women are “not permitted by Allah” to take up leadership roles. However, the most inflammatory part of the statement compared women working outside their homes to “prostitution.”
“We believe that when women are pushed out of the home in the name of modernity, they are exposed to exploitation, moral decay, and insecurity. It’s nothing but another form of prostitution,” the post read.
The statement further categorized workplace presence and social media activity as “symptoms of moral collapse,” sparking immediate backlash from rights activists, professionals, and the general public who view this as a direct attack on the dignity of independent women.
Netizens React
Critics were quick to point out the hypocrisy and the “regressive mindset” displayed in the post. Many questioned how a political party aiming for national leadership could equate professional labor and economic empowerment with immorality. “By this logic, every female doctor, teacher, and garment worker in this country is being insulted by Dr. Shafiqur Rahman,” wrote one user on Facebook.
The ‘Hacking’ Defense
As the backlash intensified, the post was abruptly deleted. Shortly after, the campaign team of Dr. Shafiqur Rahman issued a clarification claiming the account had been compromised.
“We wish to clarify that the account of the Ameer-e-Jamaat was recently hacked and content was posted that was falsely attributed to him. Necessary steps have been taken,” the statement read, dismissing the previous post as a tactic by “opponents.”
Damage Control or True Colors?
Despite the hacking claim, many remain skeptical, calling it a “classic damage control move” after sensing the public’s pulse. Political analysts suggest that such statements, even if retracted, provide a chilling glimpse into the ideological framework regarding women’s rights ahead of the #BDElection2026.
As of now, the Jamaat-e-Islami leadership has not provided further evidence of the security breach, while the hashtag #Jamaat2026 continues to trend alongside calls for a formal apology to the women of Bangladesh.
