পররাষ্ট্র মন্ত্রণালয়

Bio-data of Shama Obaed Islam, MP

Hon’ble State Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bangladesh

Shama Obaed Islam is a prominent Bangladeshi politician and a senior leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). She is an elected Member of Parliament (MP) from the Faridpur-2 (Nagarkanda–Shaltha) constituency and is one of the seven women elected in the 2026 national parliamentary elections. She was appointed as the State Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh on 17 February 2026. Within her party, she serves as the Organizing Secretary (Greater Faridpur Division) of BNP’s National Executive Committee and is a member of the party’s Foreign Relations Committee.

Born into a distinguished political family, Shama Obaed Islam is the daughter of Mr. K. M. Obaidur Rahman, a Freedom Fighter, former Minister, and former Secretary General of BNP. From an early age, she developed a strong orientation toward academic excellence and a deep sense of responsibility to serve her country. Her father instilled in her the belief that the most effective way to serve people is through honesty, hard work, and a strong moral commitment. She has endeavored to follow these principles throughout her political and social work.

She completed her Higher Secondary education from Viqarunnesa Noon School and College before pursuing higher studies in the United States. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science with highest honors from California State University and later completed her MBA from University of Phoenix. She began her professional career as a Computer Scientist at First Union Bank in the United States, gaining valuable experience in the financial and technology sectors. After returning to Bangladesh, she became an entrepreneur while dedicating herself to serving the people of her constituency and engaging in various social welfare activities.

In the 2026 Bangladesh National Parliamentary Election, she was elected as a first-time Member of Parliament from Faridpur-2 as a BNP candidate. She previously contested parliamentary elections in 2008 and 2018 from the same constituency. Since the election in 2008, she has consistently stood beside the people of her constituency despite facing repression, violence, and politically motivated false cases under the fascist rule of the Awami League.

Shama Obaed Islam is also the President of ‘Jatiyotabadi Muktijuddher Projonmo’, an organization formed in 1997 by the sons and daughters of Bangladesh’s Freedom Fighters. Appointed President in 2010, she has strengthened the organization’s national presence, expanding its committees to 35 districts including Dhaka City. Under her leadership, the organization has spoken out on key national issues such as border killings (including the Felani case), stock market collapse, corruption, violence against women, democracy, and human rights.

During critical periods when freedom of expression was severely restricted, she organized multiple high-profile seminars and round-table discussions under an independent platform titled ‘Youth Movement for Democracy’. These programs included participation from prominent civil society members, journalists, and credible political leaders and played an important role in raising public awareness. Notable programs addressed themes such as credible elections and necessary reforms; extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances; human rights and democratic governance; and youth’s perspectives on the Liberation War.

Her international engagements reflect her commitment to diplomacy and policy discourse. She visited China in 2013 and 2014 as part of BNP delegations at the invitation of the Chinese government and attended the Asian Political Parties Special Conference on the Silk Route in Beijing in 2015, where she presented a paper at the closing ceremony. In 2019, she participated in a youth leadership delegation to India and later traveled to Australia as an election observer.

She has also played a leading role in policy discussions on electoral reform, particularly regarding the introduction of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in Bangladesh, organizing a high-profile international seminar attended by experts from the United States and India to examine associated risks and safeguards.

Beyond politics, Shama Obaed Islam is actively involved in social development initiatives, including Save the Children projects aligned with UN Development Goals, and works with NGOs supporting children and persons with disabilities. She serves as Executive Director of the Institute for Global Cooperation Foundation (IGC Foundation), a youth-led, youth-driven think tank.