Fusion of academic excellence, morality key to leadership dev: Dr Shafiq

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Wednesday called for strengthening planned cadre development and target-oriented organisational activities, saying the fusion of academic excellence, research, moral values and leadership skills is essential to building a competent and principled workforce.

He made the remarks as the chief guest at the Second General Session-2026 of the Central Executive Council of Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir at Al-Falah Auditorium in the capital.

Dr Shafiqur said character-building remains the cornerstone of the Islamic movement and urged organisational leaders and activists to uphold discipline, integrity and moral values in both personal and organisational life.

He called on members to remain steadfast in offering regular prayers, strengthen their bond with Allah through Tahajjud, charity and other acts of worship, and cultivate exemplary personal conduct.

The Jamaat chief also stressed the need to expand family-centred outreach programmes, saying planned initiatives should be undertaken to spread Islamic values to every level of society through families.

Highlighting the importance of intellectual development, Dr Shafiqur said academic success alone is no longer enough in today's competitive world. He urged students to pursue research, knowledge-based learning and a deeper understanding of contemporary issues while developing communication, social and organisational skills to emerge as capable, ethical and responsible leaders.

The day-long session was chaired by Chhatra Shibir Central President Nurul Islam and moderated by Secretary General Sibgatullah.

The programme was inaugurated by Md Mozammel Haque, father of Md Raihan Hossain, whom the organisers identified as having been killed in police firing during the July uprising on August 5 in front of Badda Police Station in Dhaka.

Among the special guests were Jamaat Secretary General Professor Mia Golam Parwar, Assistant Secretaries General and former Chhatra Shibir leaders Maulana Rafiqul Islam Khan and Maulana Abdul Halim, along with several former Shibir central presidents.

According to the organisers, the council reviewed the organisation's six-month performance, approved district organisational structures, assessed campus activities, discussed the country's political situation and adopted future action plans.

During the session, Chhatra Shibir President Nurul Islam announced the election of 12 new Executive Council members through a by-election for the 2026 session and nominated one additional member before administering the oath to the newly elected and nominated members.

In his closing address, Nurul Islam urged members to develop skilled, disciplined and ideologically committed leadership through continuous training.

He encouraged activists to treat their study desks as centres of intellectual struggle and emphasised the values of modesty, piety, honesty and trustworthiness as the foundation of future leadership.