Jamaat amir removes adviser after ‘minister-rank’ proposal

A proposal that briefly stirred debate inside the foreign policy establishment has now triggered a shake-up within the Jamaat-e-Islami, after the party’s amir and Leader of the Opposition, Dr Shafiqur Rahman, removed his foreign affairs adviser over a controversial letter sent to the foreign ministry.

The development comes days after the opposition leader formally asked Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman to consider appointing his adviser, Prof Dr Mohammad Mahmudul Hasan, to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with a status equivalent to a minister – a suggestion that surprised many diplomats and policymakers.

The letter that sparked the controversy

The letter, sent on February 22 from the opposition leader’s office, described Mahmudul Hasan as a long-time foreign affairs adviser who had helped strengthen the party’s international connections with organisations and regions such as the United Nations, Commonwealth, ASEAN Regional Forum, and the European Union, along with countries across Asia, Africa, Oceania, Europe and the Americas.

Shafiqur Rahman argued that appointing the adviser within the ministry could allow the opposition’s perspectives on foreign policy to be presented to the government and reviewed formally.

Calling the idea “new” and “innovative,” he suggested it could help maintain balance in Bangladesh’s international relations amid changing geopolitical dynamics.

However, diplomats say such a move would be unprecedented in Bangladesh’s administrative structure.

Senior officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the letter was received, but several policymakers privately expressed surprise at the proposal.

The ministry currently operates with three top positions: foreign minister, state minister, and the prime minister’s foreign affairs adviser.

There is no precedent for appointing an adviser from the parliamentary opposition to a ministry with ministerial rank.

Internal fallout within Jamaat

The controversy deepened when Jamaat’s central leadership claimed the letter contained content that went beyond the amir’s instructions.

According to a statement issued by party Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar, Mahmudul Hasan had been tasked with drafting a letter outlining Jamaat’s foreign policy positions. However, he allegedly inserted an additional section proposing his own appointment to the foreign ministry with minister-level status.

Once the issue came to the attention of the party leadership, the amir relieved Mahmudul Hasan of his responsibilities as foreign affairs adviser.

Parwar said the party believed in responsible political conduct and would correct any misunderstanding or deviation from official instructions.

A new adviser steps in

In a swift move to stabilise the situation, Barrister Mir Ahmad Bin Quasem, Member of Parliament for Dhaka-14, was appointed as the new foreign affairs adviser to the Jamaat amir on March 2, replacing Mahmudul Hasan.

Party insiders say the leadership hopes the appointment will help restore order in the party’s foreign policy messaging after the unexpected controversy.