Game of Thrones-Themed Banners of Jamaat Ameer Spark Debate in Chattogram

A wave of curiosity and mixed reactions has swept Chattogram after stylized banners featuring Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, inspired by the popular TV series Game of Thrones, appeared across the city. The banners, prominently displayed in Boropol and Chawkbazar areas, have gone viral on social media, triggering debate over the unusual blend of pop culture and conservative politics.

The banners show Dr. Shafiqur Rahman in a heroic pose, holding a sword-shaped version of the "Scale", the party's electoral symbol. At the top, the iconic series slogan "Winter is Coming" is written in bold letters, while the bottom credits the "Dadu Fan Club, Chattogram". In the context of the series, the phrase built anticipation for an inevitable and ominous change, a sentiment the creators appear to echo regarding the Ameer's political stature.

The banners coincide with Dr. Shafiqur Rahman's nationwide tour. He is scheduled to arrive in Chattogram today, Monday, after visiting Cox's Bazar, and is expected to address five major rallies in Moheshkhali, Lohagara, Sitakunda, and the Bandar School & College grounds in Chattogram city.

However, Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Chhatra Shibir leadership have distanced themselves from the banners, stating they are not part of any official activity. Zahidul Alam Joy, Publicity and Media Secretary of Chhatra Shibir's Chattogram Metropolitan South unit, said the images first spread on fan pages before being printed and hung. He added that a fan base has grown around the Ameer and they may have expressed enthusiasm this way, noting the image carries no specific organizational meaning.

Morshedul Alam Chowdhury, Assistant Secretary of Jamaat-e-Islami Chattogram City, said he had not heard of the banners and confirmed no organizational decision was involved, though he is looking into the matter.

While the "Winter is Coming" motif has generated significant online engagement and hype among younger supporters, analysts point to a potential mismatch.

The phrase "Winter is Coming" is a warning of impending doom and hardship. In a political rally context, supporters usually want to signal "Spring" or "Victory." By using a "Winter" slogan, the fan club may have unintentionally signaled a period of cold struggle rather than the triumph they intended to celebrate. The show's themes of moral ambiguity and fantasy also diverge from the party's formal religious identity. The "Dadu Fan Club" initiative seems to reflect Gen-Z supporters' attempt to portray the leader as a heroic figure, similar to protagonists like Jon Snow.