Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman has issued an unconditional apology for the party’s past mistakes.

Speaking at an exchange of views with journalists in New York on Wednesday (October 22), he said the party sought forgiveness for “all wrongs” committed from 1947 through October 22, 2025. 

“From ’47 to today (October 22), whoever has suffered because of us, we seek their forgiveness, unconditionally,” he told reporters. (Name and title verified. 

Dr Rahman said that senior Jamaat leaders had previously offered similar apologies. 

He cited late former Ameers Ghulam Azam and Motiur Rahman Nizami, and said he himself had made such appeals on multiple occasions, including after the recent release of ATM Azharul Islam from prison. 

Explaining the stance, he added that while “99 out of 100” party decisions might be correct, even a single wrong decision can harm the nation, and in such cases, seeking pardon is appropriate.

On the electoral process, Dr Rahman said a referendum should be held on several issues—including proportional representation (PR)—before the next parliamentary election. 

He added there was no uncertainty about holding the polls before Ramadan in February, and pledged that, if Jamaat comes to power, minority communities would enjoy full constitutional rights.

SMS/