Bangladesh’s Islamist Party Seizes Political Stage Amid Democratic Backslide

Bangladesh stands at a dangerous crossroads. Hundreds of thousands gathered in Dhaka recently to witness the largest rally by Jamaat-e-Islami, the country’s prominent Islamist party notorious for its collaboration with Pakistan during the 1971 independence war. As the nation prepares for elections expected next year under an interim administration led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, this display of Islamist muscle raises pressing questions about the future of democracy and stability in South Asia. Is Bangladesh Sliding Toward Islamist Dominance at Democracy’s Expense? The current political landscape is marked by stark volatility. After former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina—whose family legacy is...