BNP will restore ‘trust in Allah’ in constitution if elected: Salahuddin

BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed has pledged to reinstate the phrase “full trust and faith in the Almighty Allah” in the preamble of Bangladesh’s constitution if the party comes to power.

Speaking at the Khatme Nabuwat Parishad’s rally in Suhrawardy Udyan on Saturday, Salahuddin recalled that the phrase was originally part of the 1972 constitution under the leadership of late President Ziaur Rahman, but was later removed during constitutional amendments in the 1990s.

“We believe that the spiritual foundation of our state must be reaffirmed,” Salahuddin said. “The removal of this principle weakened the moral compass of our governance.”

He linked the current global plight of Muslim communities – including Palestinians in Gaza and Rohingyas in Rakhine – to what he described as a broader “crisis of faith and unity” among Muslims. “When a nation loses its spiritual grounding, its people become vulnerable,” he said.

Ahmed framed the proposed constitutional amendment as part of a wider national renewal. “Insha’Allah, if the people of Bangladesh entrust us with the responsibility of government, and if our Ulama, religious leaders, and citizens stand with us, we will bring this matter before the National Parliament for debate and legal action,” he said.

The remarks come amid heightened political activity by Islamist-aligned groups ahead of the next general election, expected in late 2026 or early 2027. The BNP, which has historically positioned itself as a moderate Islamic democratic party, has increasingly emphasised religious identity in its recent public messaging.

The current constitution, adopted in 1972 and amended over time, declares Bangladesh a secular state, though Islam is recognised as the state religion. 

Constitutional changes require a two-thirds majority in parliament – a threshold that would be difficult to achieve without broad cross-party consensus.

Observers note that while the proposal is unlikely to gain immediate legislative traction, it signals a strategic effort by the BNP to consolidate religiously conservative support ahead of the polls.