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The arc of a political life is rarely straight. For some, it is a chronicle of steady ascent; for others, a slow descent into obscurity. But for Tarique Rahman, his journey is neither. It is a narrative so dramatic, so punctuated by tragedy and reversal, that it reads less like a political biography and more like a parable about the nature of destiny itself.
Once a man living in exile—far from the land that defined his name, his history, and his inheritance—Tarique Rahman’s life has been a testament to the brutal volatility of South Asian politics and the mysterious ways in which history folds back upon itself.
A Legacy Written in Blood
To understand the man's present, one must first confront the shadows of his past. Tarique Rahman is the son of Ziaur Rahman, the sixth President of Bangladesh, a charismatic leader and a pivotal figure in the nation's founding. On the night of May 30, 1981, in the port city of Chittagong, President Ziaur Rahman was assassinated by a faction of army officers. It was not merely a political killing; it was a national shockwave that shattered a family and sealed a chapter of Bangladesh's history in blood.
Tragedy, it seems, does not always strike once. His brother, Arafat Rahman Koko, was later murdered as well. And his mother, Begum Khaleda Zia, a three-time elected Prime Minister, faced the brutal volatility of political fortune, enduring imprisonment and public humiliation. From the highest office in the land to a prison cell, the family’s story became one of assassination, grief, exile, and relentless political hostility. For many, such a sequence of events would have permanently erased their presence from public life. These are the tools historically used to end dynasties and silence legacies.
The Crucible of Exile
But history does not move in straight lines. What appeared to be political destruction became, in retrospect, a crucible. The trials did not erase Tarique Rahman’s path; they shaped it. The exile meant to isolate him preserved him. The humiliation meant to weaken his family forged their resolve. The suffering that seemed like an ending became a profound preparation.
And then comes the supreme irony—one that underscores the unpredictable nature of power: the very institution connected to his father's assassination, the Bangladesh Army, later played a role in facilitating the political environment that allowed for his dramatic return to influence. SubhanAllah.
It is a powerful reminder that institutions evolve, alliances shift, and the instruments of tragedy can become part of the landscape that carries a leader to power. It is in moments like these that the Qur’anic reminder resonates with profound clarity:
“And Allah is the best of planners.” (Qur’an 8:30).
Human beings strategize, governments calculate, and opponents conspire, but they operate within a divine plan that no force can outmaneuver.
The Weight of a Nation
Today, Tarique Rahman stands as a pivotal figure in the leadership of 185 million Bangladeshis—one of the most densely populated Muslim-majority nations on earth. A country born from the fire of war, marked by coups, ideological division, and deep political turbulence. His transformation from exile to a central role in leading a nation of 185 million is not merely political; it is symbolic. It reflects a fundamental truth: power and honour are not permanently owned by individuals or institutions. They are granted.
As Allah (SWT) declares: “Say, O Allah, Owner of Sovereignty, You give sovereignty to whom You will and You take sovereignty away from whom You will. You honour whom You will and You humble whom You will. In Your hand is all good. Indeed, You are over all things competent.” (Qur’an 3:26). How many leaders once seemed untouchable are now footnotes? How many figures once humiliated were later elevated? Allah raises whom He wills.
However, with this elevation comes a burden that is anything but symbolic. Bangladesh, for all its resilience, has endured cycles of instability, corruption, and intense political rivalry. The responsibility of leadership for 185 million citizens is staggering: economic reform, institutional stability, justice for minorities, the strengthening of democratic norms, and the unglamorous, day-to-day work of national unity.
This is where the story moves from the past to the present, and from observation to supplication. Because if exile is a test of patience, then power is a test of the soul. It can corrupt more severely than poverty ever could.
A Prayer for the Future
A life story marked by the assassination of a father, the murder of a brother, and the imprisonment of a mother is already written into the political fabric of Bangladesh. Now comes the chapter that will define his legacy. Will hardship produce humility? Will loss produce compassion? Will exile produce wisdom?
Only time will answer. But for now, his journey stands as a powerful reminder that destiny cannot be permanently blocked, honour cannot be forever stolen, and no human plan overrides the decree of Allah.
From exile to the corridor of power in a nation of 185 million. SubhanAllah. As he assumes this immense responsibility, the hope of a nation and the prayer of the faithful is that this chapter be one of justice and righteousness.
May Allah (SWT) guide him in every decision, protect him from the oppression he once opposed, and shield him from the corruption that has too often defined political leadership. May Allah make him a source of stability for Bangladesh, anchoring his leadership in the eternal command:
“Indeed, Allah commands justice, excellence, and giving to relatives, and forbids immorality, bad conduct, and oppression.” (Qur’an 16:90).
May He grant him sincerity, wisdom, courage, and integrity. May He protect the people of Bangladesh and guide all their leaders toward what is just and right.
Ameen.
Author: Dr. Thamina Anwar,
Founder of the Global Halal Shura Hub
