United News of Bangladesh

Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam on Friday said that the government will seek cooperation from the United Nations to assess the role of Bangladesh's media and journalists over the past 16 years and to present the truth to the global community. Speaking at a discussion titled 'Bangladesh after the July Uprising: Challenges for the Media' at Chattogram Press Club, he claimed that the current level of freedom of expression and freedom of writing enjoyed by the media in Bangladesh is unprecedented. Alam reaffirmed that the government is committed to upholding freedom of speech, including that of the media. Referring to the recent termination of three journalists from respective outlets, he said the government had no involvement in those decisions, which were made independently by the organizations. The press secretary also instructed the formation of a probe body to investigate allegations that some journalists handed over student protesters to the police during the anti-discrimination student movement in Chattogram in July and took a controversial stance in their reporting. He alleged that a neighboring country's media has been continuously spreading falsehoods and provocative news since the July uprising, in collaboration with elements supporting authoritarianism and allegedly with backing from the Awami League. Govt committed to independent journalism, says Deputy Press Secretary "Their disinformation campaign is expected to intensify ahead of the upcoming elections," he warned, urging everyone to remain vigilant and verify the authenticity of news. Chattogram Press Club and Chattogram Metropolitan Journalists' Union (CMJU) jointly organized the event. Chief Adviser's Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder delivered keynote speech. Chaired by Press Club's Member Secretary Zahidul Karim Kochi, BFUJ acting President Obaidur Rahman Shahin, Secretary General Kader Gani Chowdhury, CMJU President Md. Shahnewaz, engineer Jane Alam Selim, professional leader Dr. Khurshid Jamil, and Chittagong University's Journalism department Prof Dr Md. Shahidullah, among others, spoke at the event.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman has warned that fascists will have the opportunity to return if the nation's unity is shattered. The Jamaat leader spoke about the importance of preserving national unity and building a humane Bangladesh, while speaking at a workers' rally organised by the district Jamaat at the Kurigram Government College grounds on Friday. India gave shelter to traitors: Jamaat leader He called for the cessation of extortion and land grabbing, stating, "Such activities must be stopped to protect our national unity. If unity is destroyed, the fascists will return." Shafiqur also criticised the Awami League, accusing it of embezzling a staggering Tk 26 lakh crore under the guise of development. "The fascists have no place in Bangladesh," he said, demanding justice for all the killings that have occurred during the current AL government's tenure. He made it clear that the struggle for a humane Bangladesh would continue until justice is served. "From January 10, 1972 to January, 24, 2025, all crimes, murders, and disappearances will be judged on the soil of Bangla. We demand the publication of a list of those who have tortured people, grabbed land, displaced families, and violated the dignity of others,” the Jamaat ameer also said. War against extortion, encroachment will continue: Jamaat Ameer Kurigram Jamaat Ameer Prof Abdul Matin Faruqi presided over the rally. Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Abdul Halim, Barrister Salehin, Prof Azizur Rahman Swapan, spoe at the rally, among others.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Friday called for national unity and the creation of a fair and equal Bangladesh. “Our children and people from all walks of life gave their lives for a non-discriminatory society,” he said at an event in Jashore. “We want a Bangladesh where everyone, regardless of caste, religion, or party, enjoys equal rights.” He emphasized protecting national unity and staying alert against forces trying to divide the country. He said, “We have to maintain this national unity… No one can destroy this unity. For this, our students and the people of all Bangladesh must be vigilant.” Shafiqur Rahman accused the former government of  perpetuating injustice, forced disappearances and smuggling resources abroad. Plot afoot to brand Bangladesh as communal, stay alert: Fakhrul “Those who spread the branches of fascism on us, those who carried out violence for 15 and a half years, those who committed murder, looted the country's resources and smuggled them abroad, we will not forgive them,” he said. He vowed to seek justice for these actions. Referring to his party’s struggles, he said many Jamaat leaders, including Delwar Hossain Sayedee, Golam Azam, Ali Ahsan Mujahid and Abdul Quader Mollah, were killed unfairly. Despite oppression, the party remains committed to its goals, he added. Praising Jashore’s history of resistance, he recalled the contributions of Major MA Jalil and his comrades during the Liberation War.  

The Counter Terrorism & Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit of Dhaka Metropolitan Police arrested the ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Shafiqur Rahman early hours of Tuesday.  Deputy Commissioner (media) of DMP Faruq Hossain confirmed it to UNB but he didn’t disclose the details of the arrest and the allegations against the Jamaat ameer. Acting Secretary General of Jamaat ATM Masum in a statement claimed the arrest was made around 1 am from his residence in the capital. Read more: Jamaat declares overlapping 10-point demand; announces mass rally on Dec 24 He condemned and protested the arrest. He said the government cannot stop the ongoing political protests in the country by such arrests. “The people’s movement cannot be stopped by creating fear, attack and filing cases,” he said in his statement. Masum urged the authority to immediately give unconditional release of arrested Jamaat leaders including Shafiqur and leaders of other political parties. On December 11, the ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami announced a 10-point demand largely overlapping with the BNP's, and declared a mass rally on December 24 just after the BNP's announcement. Read more: Mirza Fakhrul, Abbas shown arrested in Paltan police station case: DB Chief Jamaat-e-Islami made the announcement to build a nationwide simultaneous mass movement based on the 10-point demand to restore democracy in the country and bring back the people's rights, said a media statement..

Freedom fighter Shafiqur Rahman (Munna), advisor and founder director of Mercantile Insurance Co. Ltd, passed away on August 23. He was 70. He breathed his last at his residence in Dhaka due to cardiac arrest. Rahman left behind his mother, wife, only daughter, grandson, granddaughter and host of relatives and well-wishers to mourn his death. Rahman served as Chairman of Skyways Techno Services Ltd, Managing Director of S. Rahman Associates Ltd and Managing Director of Comfort Real Estate Ltd. He was an Executive Member of Bangladesh Cricket Control Board (BCCB 1991-1996) and advisor of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB 2002-2005) and Chairman of the Grounds and Facilities Committee, BCB (2003-2005). Late Rahman developed venues and pitches of international standards in Chittagong, Khulna and Rajshahi Divisional Stadiums, Narayangonj Fatullah Cricket Stadium, Bogra Shaheed Chandu Stadium. He was a member of the Under-19 World Cup Organizing Committee, President of Victoria Sporting Club (2001-2006). During this period, Victoria Sporting Club won Championships for two consecutive years in the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League during the seasons 2001-2002 and 2002-2003. He also served as General Secretary, Victoria Sporting Club (1985), Cricket Secretary, Victoria Sporting Club (1975-1980), Victoria Sporting Club won the Dhaka Cricket League Championship in 1975-1976 and Runners-up in 1976-1977. Rahman produced and groomed cricket players like Abdur Razzak Raj, Alok Kapali, Manjurul Rana, Shakib Al Hasan, Aftab and others. He was a pioneer in introducing professionalism in club cricket by paying remuneration to players since 1975. Read: PM mourns death of freedom fighter Mukul Bose Rahman was a life member of Victoria Sporting Club, Dhaka Club Ltd and Gulshan Club Ltd. He was also a founding member of Cadet College Club. The veteran sports organiser, also an ex-president of Victoria Sporting Club, played many roles at the cricket board. He was a member of the BCB's executive committee and advisory committee and was also a member of the interim committee for the BCB formed in 2007. He had been a long-standing chairman of the board's Grounds and Facilities Committee and was a member of the first BPL Governing Council.