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He added, “There are two options. One, change yourselves for the better -- respect others, respect mothers. Otherwise, be prepared to take full responsibility for the consequences.”
Addressing the women at the rally, he said, “We will not bow our heads to any force but Allah. That is the country, that is the society we want to build.”
On Tuesday, Jamaat Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher alleged at a press conference that the party’s women activists engaged in election campaigning were being attacked. He said Jamaat’s women activists are highly active, prompting their main rivals to target them. He also announced a women’s rally at Suhrawardy Udyan on January 31 at 10:00 am in protest against the alleged harassment.
Speaking at the Mirpur rally, Shafiqur Rahman said, “InshaAllah, a Bangladesh of justice will be established. Women, like men, will contribute equally in the workplace with dignity and security. We will ensure this at any cost. In major cities, there will be separate bus services for women. During peak hours, they will have separate vehicles.”
He added, “We do not want matriarchy, nor patriarchy. We want a humane society balanced by both.”
From the rally, he urged voters to support ‘yes’ in the referendum scheduled for the 12th, saying, “Our first vote will be ‘yes’. Our second vote will be for justice and fairness.”
Jamaat’s women wing secretary, Nurunnisa Siddika, hinting at the BNP, said, “Return to the path of democracy. Join the effort to build a humane Bangladesh. We are rivals, but neither of us is the enemy of the other.”
Shafiqur Rahman’s wife, Amena Begum, said, “We want a society of peace, freedom, justice, and fairness. For that, we need capable and honest leadership.”
Earlier in the morning, the Jamaat ameer began door-to-door campaigning in the North Kafrul High School area, greeting voters and seeking support for the party’s electoral symbol, the balance scale.
“Mirpur is a symbol of struggle, courage, and protest. It was one of the strongholds of the July uprising. But today, it faces neglect, illegal occupation, traffic congestion, waterlogging, crime, and insecurity,” he said, adding that the area also faces acute housing shortages and soaring rents
He assured voters that these problems would be addressed if Jamaat is elected. Shafiqur also pledged to improve waste collection and management across Dhaka, including Mirpur.
He continued campaigning through street meetings and door-to-door visits after Maghrib prayers in the area behind Harman Mainer School in Mirpur-13, and after Esha prayers in the fruit market area of Mirpur-10.