For the first time in 19 years, any unit of the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami is holding a public conference, marking a significant political event.
The Dhaka City North unit of the party is organising the gathering today to elect its next amir, with over 10,000 Rukns (party members) participating in the election through secret ballots.
This comes after 15 and a half years under the Awami League government and recent shifts in the political landscape.
The conference, called "Rukn Sammelan," is being held at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka.
According to Jamaat’s internal rules, no member can announce their candidacy for any position. Instead, Rukans anonymously write the name of their preferred leader, and the candidate receiving the most votes will be elected as the new amir of Dhaka City North unit.
Jamaat amir Shafiqur Rahman will attend as the chief guest, while outgoing Dhaka City North amir Mohammad Salim Uddin will preside over the event.
The last major Rukn conference took place in 2005 at Paltan Maidan.