United News of Bangladesh

The Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism (GIFCT) has expressed a strong interest to collaborate with Bangladesh’s public and private sectors to tackle online terrorism and violent extremist contents. Speaking at a seminar organised by the Cosmos Foundation in Dhaka’s Baridhara on Friday morning, GIFCT Executive Director Naureen Chowdhury Fink said extremist and terrorist groups are increasingly using online platforms to sustain and expand their activities. Cosmos Foundation Chairman Enayetullah Khan inaugurated the seminar, which was chaired by former foreign adviser and Cosmos Foundation President Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury.

Leaders of the left-wing alliance Democratic United Front met BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Monday and discussed the country’s overall political and law-and-order situation, as well as various issues related to the upcoming national election. The left leaders also discussed the country’s economic situation and expressed concern over the rise of extremism at the meeting held at the BNP Chairperson’s office in Gulshan. The Democratic United Front delegation included CPB Presidium member Mujahidul Islam Selim, its President Kazi Sajjad Jahir Chandan, General Secretary Abdullah Al Kafi Ratan, BASD General Secretary Bazlur Rashid Firoz, Assistant General Secretary Rajequzzaman Ratan, Bangladesh JASAD General Secretary Nazmul Haque Prodhan and its Standing Committee member Mostaq Hossain, Bangladesh Socialist Party Executive President Abdul Ali, Democratic Revolutionary Party General Secretary Mushrefa Mishu, Bangladesh Revolutionary Communist League General Secretary Iqbal Kabir Zahid, Presidium member Professor Abdus Sattar and BASD (Marxist) Coordinator Masud Rana. Top business leaders meet Tarique Rahman, discuss economy, jobs BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was also present at the meeting. Earlier, on November 29, nine left-leaning progressive political parties formed the Democratic United Front with Bangladesh JASAD ahead of the 13th parliamentary election. After the meeting, BASD General Secretary Bazlur Rashid Firoz told reporters that they primarily visited Tarique Rahman to convey their sympathy to him and his family over the death of his mother, former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. “He had been staying abroad for a long time and returned to the country recently. After returning, he lost his mother. We expressed our sympathy and solidarity with the bereaved family and the party,” he said. Apart from this, Firoz said they also discussed various political issues, including the overall political situation, law and order, the upcoming election, and the rise of fundamentalist and communal forces. ‘1971 is our foundation’ Bazlur Rashid said Tarique Rahman told them that the Liberation War of 1971 is the foundation of Bangladesh. “He (Tarique) told us that after returning to the country on December 25, he made it clear in his speeches that the Liberation War of 1971 is our foundation. Without the Liberation War, Bangladesh would not exist. Therefore, we must move forward while upholding the aspirations of the mass uprisings of 1990 and 2024,” the BASD leader said. Tarique Rahman voices concern over rising mob violence: Saiful Haque He said the BNP Acting Chairman also told them that Bangladesh belongs to everyone, including believers, non-believers, and sceptics, and that the country must move forward through the united efforts of all. “Tarique Rahman said they have a plan to build a liberal, democratic and welfare-oriented state and want to work in that direction, learning from the past. The people will remain at the centre of their politics, and the goal is not only to make plans but also to implement them so that people can benefit and enjoy the facilities,” Bazlur Rashid said. He said Tarique also told them that opposition parties would exist and differences of opinion would remain. “He said there may be disagreements on many issues, but on national matters and issues affecting the people, there should be dialogue.” The BASD leader also said Tarique will welcome advice from time to time and accept it where appropriate, emphasising the need to create a cordial and respectful political environment in the country. He said the Democratic United Front stressed the importance of building a political culture based on tolerance, acceptance of different views, and philosophical tolerance, which are essential for democracy, along with free, fair, and democratic elections. Bazlur Rashid said they focused on ensuring that forces opposed to the Liberation War of 1971 and anti-independence elements do not gain space in politics. Regarding Jamaat-e-Islami’s recent statements on a national government, he said Tarique Rahman clarified that no such discussion took place with them. “He said that on matters of national interest, independence, and sovereignty, unity is necessary, even if there are differences in views and political paths,” the BASD leader said. ‘Criticism will remain’ Bazlur Rashid said the Democratic United Front leaders told Tarique that if BNP comes to power in the future, they may be among the strongest critics of it. “He (Tarique) said criticism is essential for democracy. Without criticism, democracy cannot function. There will be both criticism and dialogue, and such discussions should continue with everyone,” he said. The BASD leader said the BNP Acting Chairman expressed his willingness to engage in discussions with the left alliance leaders in the future. Earlier, leaders of the Democratic United Front signed the condolence book opened at the office, paying their tributes to the late Begum Khaleda Zia. Later, a four-member delegation of Ganosamhati Andolan, led by its chief coordinator Zonayed Saki, also met Tarique Rahman and discussed various issues related to politics and the upcoming national election.  

India's Supreme Court Monday (April 12, 2021) dismissed a petition seeking removal of certain verses from the Muslim holy book of Quran for allegedly "preaching violence against non-believers". The apex court also imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 on the petitioner, Syed Wasim Rizvi, a former head of the Shia Waqf Board in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, for filing the "absolutely frivolous" petition. "We have heard the counsel and dismiss the petition as it is absolutely frivolous,” said Justice RF Nariman, who led a three-judge bench hearing the plea. He also asked the petitioner's counsel to deposit the fine of Rs 50,000 as court expenses.  Read Hill Cutting: CDA contractor fined Tk 5.23cr In his public interest litigation (PIL) plea, Rizvi, alleged that as many as 26 verses in the holy book “promote violence”, and were not part of the original Quran, but added in later revisions. The verses in question were: Verse 2 Surah 191, Verse 3 Surah 151, Verse 4 Surah 56, Verse 4 Surah 89, Verse 4 Surah 101, Verse 5 Surah 51, Verse 5 Surah 14, Verse 5 Surah 57, Verse 8 Surah 65, Verse 8 Surah 69, Verse 9 Surah 5 and Verse 9 Surah 14. Others included Verse 9 Surah 23; Verse 9 Surah 28, Verse 9 Surah 29, Verse 9 Surah 37, Verse 9 Surah 58, Verse 9 Surah 111, Verse 9 Surah 123, Verse 21 Surah 98, Verse 32 Surah 22, Verse 33 Surah 61, Verse 41 Surah 27, Verse 41 Surah 28, Verse 48 Surah 20 and Verse 66 Surah 9. Also read: No evidence of disrespecting Quran found: Probe body As per the petition, Islam is based on concepts of equality and tolerance but is “drifting away from its basic tenets” due to “extreme interpretation of the said verses … and is now identified with militancy, fundamentalism, extremism and terrorism". The petitioner also asked for the federal government and Madrasa Boards across the country to be “called upon to ensure what steps are taken to avoid literal teaching of the verses advocating violence". Last month, police in Uttar Pradesh's  Bareilly town booked Rizvi under the Indian Penal Code for allegedly hurting religious sentiments of Muslims by filing the petition in the Supreme Court. Read Quran recitation, prayers to stop coronavirus in Ramadan: Hefazat Ameer

The good relations that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had with the country's Islamic scholars and experts continues today.

Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) on Thursday demonstrated protesting against extremist and terrorist activities in the country.

Police in western Germany shot and killed a 37-year-old man who allegedly tried to attack them with a knife. They are checking whether extremism was a possible motive for the attack, the German news agency dpa reported Monday.

Speakers at a national conference here on Monday stressed the need for a broad approach to violent extremism throughout the world, urging researchers, development partners, politicians, law enforcement agencies, and civil society to collaborate against the drivers of violent extremism.