Jamaat ameer, US ambassador discuss election, state reforms

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman met US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T Christensen at the party’s Basundhara office in Dhaka this morning, with discussions focusing on the upcoming national parliamentary election and state reforms.

The courtesy call took place around 8:00am in a cordial and friendly atmosphere, according to a press release.

During the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on Bangladesh’s prevailing political and economic situation, with particular emphasis on the next national election and the need for state reforms. Issues related to trade and commerce, as well as the Rohingya crisis, were also discussed.

Ambassador Christensen praised Jamaat’s positive role in Bangladesh’s economic development and democratic progress, the release said. Both sides expressed optimism that bilateral relations between Bangladesh and the United States would be further strengthened in the coming days.

Eric Geelan, political and economic counsellor; Monica Shie, public affairs officer; James Stewart, political officer; and political specialist Firoz Ahmed were present from the US Embassy in Dhaka.

From Jamaat, the party's Assistant Secretary General and Central Publicity and Media Department Chief Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair, Central Executive Council member Md Mobarak Hossain, and the Jamaat Ameer’s foreign affairs adviser Mahmudul Hasan were also present at the meeting.