Nurul Islam Bulbul
From the front lines of student politics to the central leadership of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami — a story of organizing shaped by imprisonment, injury, and unwavering sacrifice.
From Student to Organizer, Organizer to Leader
Nurul Islam Bulbul is a member of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami's Central Executive Council and the elected Amir of Dhaka Metropolitan South. A postgraduate in Political Science from Rajshahi University, he has been active in the Islamic movement since his student days and once served as Central President of Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir. A native of Chapainawabganj, he contested the Chapainawabganj-3 (Sadar) seat in the 11th National Parliament Elections.
Born
Feb 7, 1968 · Rehaicher, Chapainawabganj
Education
MSS in Political Science, Rajshahi University
Family
Wife Kohinur Akhtar Sima and three children
Current Role
Amir, Dhaka Metropolitan South, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami
Career
Educator, university registrar, and institution builder
Sacrifice
Repeatedly imprisoned and targeted for his political convictions
Chapters of a Life
Family & Roots
Born on 7 February 1968 into a respected Muslim family in Rehaicher village, Chapainawabganj Sadar. His father, the late Professor Mohammad Israil, was former principal of Krishnagovindaspur Degree College; his mother is Mosa. Nurjahan Begum Nuri. Eldest of ten siblings, he married Kohinur Akhtar Sima in 2003; they have two sons and a daughter.
Education
Began his education at Rehaicher Government High School, passing SSC in first division from Harimohan Government High School in 1983. Completed HSC in 1985 and BSS Honours in 1987 at Nawabganj Government College, then earned his MSS in Political Science from Rajshahi University in 1991.
Student Movement & Leadership
Joined Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir as a supporter in the sixth grade in 1978, rising step by step through worker, associate, and member status. He led the Chapainawabganj College unit in 1987, the city unit in 1988, and the Rajshahi University unit in 1995, before becoming Rajshahi Metropolitan President in 1996-97 and, ultimately, the organization's elected Central President in 2001-02.
Student Council Elections
Played a leading role in the 1985 Quran Day protests against desecration of the Holy Quran. Elected Vice President of the Chapainawabganj Government College student council in 1987, and General Secretary of Shahid Shamsuzzoha Hall in the 1990 RAKSU elections.
Political Life with Jamaat-e-Islami
Joined Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami on 1 January 2003 and took his oath as a full member (Rukon) that October. He served as Secretary and later President of the Uttara Dawah Unit, Amir of Gulshan Thana (2004-05), Assistant Secretary (2006-11) and Secretary (2012-16) of Dhaka Metropolitan, and has been the elected Amir of Dhaka Metropolitan South and a Central Executive Council member since 2017.
Professional Career
Began his career as a Political Science teacher at Nawabganj City College and founded Pan-Asiatic School and College in Chapainawabganj. He went on to serve as Registrar at Victoria University of Bangladesh and Bangladesh Islamic University, and as Managing Director of Jabale Nur Hospital and Foundation. He currently chairs an established pharmaceutical company.
Social Work
Founded RICO, a children's development organization, in his native village, and co-convened the Al-Quran Foundation established in memory of Quran Day. He launched a scholarship program for underprivileged, talented students in Rajshahi and founded the Islamic Heritage Foundation in Dhaka, while leading flood relief drives, eye camps, and canal excavation projects.
Movements & Struggles
For nearly three decades he took an active part in the country's major public movements — the 1990 anti-autocracy movement, the 1995 caretaker-government demand, co-convening the All-Party Student Unity in 2000, the 2006 fair-election movement, the 2009-10 anti-Tipaimukh Dam protests, and the 2014 participatory-election demand — while also raising his voice for oppressed Muslim communities in Kashmir, Palestine, and Syria.
Persecution & Imprisonment
Standing firm for justice has come at great personal cost. He was arrested on false charges in 1988 and 1998, and jailed for three and a half months in 1993. In 2006 he was badly injured in a police baton charge at Paltan and hospitalized for a long period; in 2013 he was shot while leading a protest march. Arrested again on 29 September 2017, he spent seven months in jail before being released on a High Court order — acquitted in the older cases, while more recent ones remain before the courts.
International Engagement
Traveled to India with RAKSU and hall council leaders in 1990. He performed Hajj in 2001 and 2002, attended the WAMY World Youth Conference in Malaysia in 2001, and took part in the fourth annual conference and the Asian Federation of Muslim Youth executive committee meeting in Riyadh in 2002 — visiting Medina, Jeddah, and Mecca to perform Umrah along the way.
Writing & Publications
Active in public speaking, debate, essay writing, and newspaper editing since his student days, with numerous articles published at both regional and national levels.
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Years of Active Political Life
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Years with Jamaat-e-Islami
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Times Imprisoned
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Top Leadership Positions Held
Organizational History
First Steps into Student Politics
At just ten years old, in the sixth grade, he began as a supporter of Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir.
Rising Through College and District Leadership
Elected President of both the Chapainawabganj College and City units while completing his BSS Honours.
Elected Central President
After completing his master's in Political Science at Rajshahi University, he was elected Central President of Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir.
Joins Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami
Starting from the Uttara Dawah Unit, he steadily rose through the leadership ranks of Dhaka Metropolitan.
Injured, Yet Unwavering in the Field
Severely injured in a police baton charge at Paltan and later shot during a protest movement, he never stepped back from active politics.
Amir of Dhaka Metropolitan South
Serves as Amir of Dhaka Metropolitan South and a member of the party's Central Executive Council.