Bangladesh Jamaat ameer Shafiqur Rahman has lately been a man for many, if not all, seasons.

On the one hand, he posts on Facebook quoting former US President Barack Obama’s famous forward-looking call: “Yes We Can". On the other, he says women cannot take leadership positions.

Even as stray party men call for disallowing ‘non-believers’ from Parliament, Rahman reiterates commitment to inclusive political participation and equal citizenship of minorities. And on the India front, while Jamaat’s student allies NCP consistently bay for India’s blood, he sounds pragmatic, reconciliatory, and even statesmanlike.

A privately circulated note purported to be from the Jamaat leadership titled ‘Foreign Policy Orientation of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’ says: “Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami articulates its foreign policy outlook through the guiding principle of ‘Friendship with all, enmity with none’. This principle reflects a commitment to peaceful coexistence, respect for sovereignty, and constructive engagement with the international community. The party views regional cooperation and stable........

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