A courtesy call was held on the Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Dr. Shafiqur Rahman by the Charge d’Affaires of the US Embassy in Dhaka, Honorable Ambassador Ms. Tracy Ann Jacobson. The meeting was held at the party’s central office in Moghbazar, capital, at 2 pm today, Monday (July 21, 2025).
The meeting was attended by official Mr. James Stewart from the US Embassy. On the other hand, Jamaat leaders present were Nayebe Ameer and former Member of Parliament Dr. Syed Abdullah Md. Taher, Secretary General Professor Mia Golam Parwar, Assistant Secretary General and Head of Central Media Department Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair, Assistant Secretary of Women’s Department Saida Rumman, Central Working Committee Member Professor Dr. Habiba Chowdhury Sweet, Central Majlis-e-Shura member and former MP Dr. Amina Rahman and Amir’s Foreign Affairs Advisor Professor Dr. Mahmudul Hasan.
In a brief press briefing after the meeting, Nayeb-e-Amir Dr. Taher said that the meeting was held in a very sincere and cordial atmosphere. The US ambassador wanted to know about the elections, security and whether there were any potential threats to the country. He also wanted to know Jamaat’s position on terrorism, electoral reform and democracy.
Dr. Taher said, “We have clearly stated that we want a fair and impartial election. We believe in zero tolerance against the politics of corruption and extortion and we stand in favor of building a corruption-free Bangladesh. Our goal is to establish democracy and the rule of law.”
He also said, “Our foreign policy is ‘friendship with all, hostility with none’. We also believe in the principle of mutual cooperation on regional and global security issues.”
In the meeting, the Ameer-e-Jamaat expressed concern over the 30 percent tariff imposed by the US on Bangladesh’s exports, especially the garment sector, and sought special consideration for reducing it to a tolerable level.
In response to a question about the opening of the UN Human Rights Commission office, Dr. Taher said, “If there is anything that goes against humanity, religious principles or national culture, we will oppose it. However, if it can truly play a positive role, then the matter will come under consideration.”
At one stage of the courtesy call, a traditional Bangladeshi Jamdani saree was presented to the Honorable Ambassador by the women leaders of Jamaat.
