Identity Row Over ‘Fake’ Sister at Election Rally

The electoral campaign for the Dhaka-11 constituency has been plunged into controversy following a high-profile rally held by the Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party alliance. The dispute centres on a woman identifying herself as Shabnam Khadija, who took to the stage to solicit votes for the candidate Nahid Islam while claiming to be the sister of the late Sharif Osman Hadi.

A Public Disavowal

The rally, held on Sunday, 8 February 2026, featured a keynote address by the Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami, Dr Shafiqur Rahman. During the event, Khadija’s emotive appeal, predicated on her alleged familial ties to the “martyred” Osman Hadi, initially appeared to galvanise the crowd. However, the narrative was swiftly challenged by Hadi’s immediate family.

Rabeya Islam Shampa, the widow of Sharif Osman Hadi, issued a stern rebuttal on social media shortly after the event. She explicitly labelled the claimant as an impostor, asserting that the late Osman Hadi had never been affiliated with any political organisation during his lifetime.

“I urge political entities not to exploit the name of Sharif Osman Hadi for narrow partisan interests. While we have no objection to people following his ideals, using his identity for political leverage through false pretences is unacceptable,” Shampa stated.

Discrepancies in Family Records

The sentiment was echoed by Abdullah Al Jaber, the Member Secretary of Inqilab Mancha, who shared the widow’s post. Jaber further clarified in the comments section that, according to verified family records, the woman in question is not among Osman Hadi’s three biological sisters. This revelation has ignited a debate regarding the vetting processes of political alliances when inviting guest speakers to their platforms.

Key Figures in the Identity Dispute

Political Fallout and Unanswered Questions

As the story continues to trend on social media, the true identity and motivations of Shabnam Khadija remain shrouded in mystery. Critics of the 11-party alliance have accused the coalition of “identity politics” and failing to conduct due diligence, while supporters suggest the woman may have been a distant relative or an overzealous supporter acting independently.

The Jamaat-e-Islami leadership has yet to issue a formal clarification regarding how the woman gained access to the microphone at such a high-level assembly. With the election approaching, this incident serves as a cautionary tale regarding the verification of “martyr” narratives, which often hold significant emotional sway over the Bangladeshi electorate.