The newly established authorities in Bangladesh have officially lifted the ban on Jamaat-e-Islami, the country’s largest Islamist party, reversing a decision made in the final days of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s administration.
The government issued an order on Wednesday, canceling the previous ban from August 1, 2024. This decision is effective immediately.
Jamaat-e-Islami, which commands a large following, was prohibited from participating in elections since 2013 after a court ruled that its charter conflicted with the nation’s secular constitution.
The party was excluded from the 2014, 2018, and January 2024 elections, where Hasina secured her fifth term amid allegations of unfair practices.
The prior ban was enforced under an anti-terrorism law just four days before Hasina was removed from power after widespread student protests, leading her to seek refuge in India.
The new order stated that the ban was lifted because no concrete evidence was found linking Jamaat-e-Islami or its student wing, Islami Chhatra Shibir, to terrorism or violence.
Jamaat remains one of Bangladesh’s key political parties alongside the Bangladesh Nationalist Party. The current status of Hasina’s Awami League party remains uncertain following her departure.