Bangladesh is witnessing a troubling revival of extremist Islamist forces, taking advantage of the political vacuum left by the post-2024 interim government. What was once largely clandestine is now increasingly visible, raising serious concerns about national stability, regional security, and the secular fabric of the nation.
Public Resurgence of Banned Islamist Groups
A stark symbol of this threat is the open re-emergence of Hizb-ut-Tahrir Bangladesh (HTB). Once operating in secrecy, HTB has boldly staged public rallies, such as the “March for Khilafat” in Dhaka, where hundreds of participants openly demanded the replacement of Bangladesh’s secular democracy with a caliphate governed by Sharia law.
This marks not just an ideological revival but an alarming confidence in operational freedom. Law enforcement’s inability to control these gatherings underscores a worrying erosion of state authority.
HTB is also strategically targeting youth and academic institutions, recruiting students at universities, and spreading radical literature. Their expanding digital footprint—videos, lectures, and online forums—further amplifies their influence and facilitates radicalization. Analysts warn that HTB aims to infiltrate key government and military institutions to normalize its ideology and gain formal political legitimacy.
Hefazat-e-Islam: Grassroots Consolidation
HTB is not alone. Hefazat-e-Islam, a powerful madrassa-based group, has intensified its activities across the country. Clerics associated with Hefazat are reasserting hardline agendas in preaching circuits, effectively rebuilding grassroots influence among conservative religious populations.
Following the political transition, Hefazat secured proximity to the interim government, influencing policy decisions. Under pressure from hardline clerics, the government scrapped plans to hire music and physical education teachers for primary schools. Public mobilizations, including a “Grand Rally” in May 2025, demanded the rollback of women’s reforms and reassertion of religious principles in governance.
Jamaat-e-Islami: Political Rehabilitation
The revival of Jamaat-e-Islami (JIB) poses another serious challenge. Once banned for war crimes and militancy links, the group has been politically rehabilitated, regaining influence through its student wing, Islami Chhatra Shibir. Analysts note increasing coordination with other radical actors, forming a disciplined ideological bloc that threatens both national security and democratic stability.
Transnational Extremist Ties
Local extremist groups are also leveraging global jihadi narratives, including Al-Qaeda-affiliated messaging, to legitimize their resurgence. Foreign support, reportedly from Pakistan’s ISI and Turkish backers for Jamaat, increases the risk of Bangladesh becoming a hub for regional jihadist activity.
The coordinated resurgence of HTB, Hefazat-e-Islam, and Jamaat-e-Islami reflects a systematic effort to exploit political instability, weaken secular governance, and mobilize society toward radical Islamist agendas. Without immediate intervention, Bangladesh faces not just domestic destabilization but growing threats to regional security.
