Sohrawardi Udyan Packed to Capacity Before Jamaat’s National Rally Begins

Hours before the start of the national rally organized by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami at the historic Sohrawardi Udyan in the capital, the venue was already filled to the brim with supporters. Aimed at pressing for a seven-point demand, the rally has drawn lakhs of people, with the park nearly overflowing with Jamaat leaders, activists, and supporters six hours before the event’s scheduled start. Thousands more are gathered outside the venue, awaiting entry.

Leaders and activists from various districts across the country have arrived in Dhaka by buses, trains, and launches, joining the rally in processions. Many are carrying the party’s symbol, the scale, while others are dressed in T-shirts and panjabis adorned with the party’s logo and emblem.

The scene was observed at Sohrawardi Udyan since early Saturday morning (July 19) after Fajr prayers. Sohel Hasan, a Jamaat activist from Noakhali’s Sonaimuri, told, “From our upazila alone, at least 30,000 people have come in 40 buses and other means of transport.” Similarly, Ershad Ali, a Jamaat worker from Sirajganj, said, “We’ve come from Sirajganj with 30,000 to 40,000 leaders and activists by bus and train. Many have been at Sohrawardi Udyan since last night.” To ensure the success of the national rally, around 20,000 volunteers are on duty. Since dawn, these volunteers have been stationed at various spots within a few kilometers of the rally venue, assisting attendees. The volunteers, dressed in coordinated outfits, are guiding participants from different regions to the appropriate entry gates. Masudur Rahman, the head of the volunteer team at the Matsya Bhaban spot, told “Our goal is to assist the leaders and activists attending the rally. Around 20,000 volunteers are working across the capital, with 6,000 deployed around Sohrawardi Udyan alone.” Since early morning, Jamaat leaders and activists have been entering the venue in small processions from various parts of the city. The rally is being held to demand the fulfillment of a seven-point agenda, which includes ensuring a level playing field for free, fair, and peaceful elections, justice for all mass killings, essential fundamental reforms, implementation of the “July Charter” and manifesto, rehabilitation of the families of martyrs and those injured in the July uprising, proportional representation (PR) in national elections, and securing voting rights for over one crore expatriate voters. This marks the first time in Bangladesh’s history that Jamaat-e-Islami is holding a national rally at Sohrawardi Udyan independently.