A high-level delegation from Jamaat-e-Islami, led by party Amir Dr Shafiqur Rahman, is set to visit China at the invitation of the Chinese government, marking the party’s second official trip to the country.
The party Secretary General Professor Mia Golam Parwar described the visit as “significant for both Jamaat and Bangladesh,” highlighting its significance in strengthening ties with China during the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations.
Speaking to Jago News on Wednesday, Parwar confirmed that the delegation, comprising nine members, will engage in discussions with various Chinese institutions and organisations.
The visit follows a reception hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Dhaka on Tuesday evening, attended by Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen and Dr Shafiqur Rahman, who both addressed the gathering.
Parwar emphasised the strategic importance of the trip, noting it as a continuation of Jamaat’s efforts to build international partnerships.
This marks Jamaat-e-Islami’s second visit to China as a party, following a 14-member delegation in September 2024 that included leaders from Jamaat, its student wing Islami Chhatra Shibir, and four other Islamic parties, led by Jamaat Nayeb-e-Amir Dr Syed Abdullah Mohammad. Taher.
The Chinese government’s invitation underscores Bangladesh’s growing geopolitical significance, particularly as the country navigates a transitional political landscape under the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus.
The visit comes on the heels of multiple delegations from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to China, including a significant trip last month hosted by the Communist Party of China, with two earlier visits this year.
The increasing engagement between Bangladeshi political parties and China reflects Beijing’s proactive outreach, with Ambassador Yao Wen previously praising Jamaat as a “well-organised” and “disciplined” party during a September 2024 meeting at Jamaat’s Dhaka office.
Jamaat’s outreach aligns with its broader political strategy ahead of upcoming national elections.
On June 27, 2025, Parwar announced efforts to unite Islamic parties for a cohesive electoral front, signalling Jamaat’s ambition to expand its influence.
The party’s reinstatement by the Supreme Court in June 2025, overturning a 2013 ban, has bolstered its political resurgence, with Dr Shafiqur Rahman advocating for reforms and an inclusive “Islamic welfare state.”
However, the visit has sparked concerns in India, with government sources labelling China’s engagement with Jamaat as “strange” and suggestive of Beijing’s intent to secure influence in Dhaka.
Critics point to Jamaat’s controversial history, including its opposition to Bangladesh’s 1971 Liberation War, though Dr Shafiqur Rahman issued an unconditional apology for “mistakes and misdeeds” since 1947 on June 25, 2025, aiming to reframe the party’s image.
As Bangladesh approaches elections, Jamaat’s China visit highlights its bid to balance domestic political aspirations with international diplomacy, potentially reshaping regional dynamics in South Asia.