United News of Bangladesh

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday called on the Bangladesh Accreditation Council (BAC) to play a more effective role in ensuring the quality of higher education in the country and aligning it with international standards. He made the call when a five-member delegation led by BAC Chairman Professor Dr Md Akhtar Hossain Khan met him at Bangabhaban. During the meeting, the BAC chairman briefed the President on the council’s activities, future plans, the need for a permanent headquarters and measures to strengthen its institutional capacity. He said the council’s accreditation certificates play a significant role in securing recognition and acceptance of Bangladesh’s higher education qualifications and improving employment opportunities abroad. The President urged the council to take further initiatives to address its problems and assured the delegation of necessary cooperation. Other members of the delegation were Md Emdadul Haque, Professor Dr Ahmed Abdullah Jamal, Professor Dr Md Shah Emran and Professor Dr Md Wakilur Rahman. The President’s Secretary, Press Secretary, Assistant Military Secretary and Private Secretary were also present at the meeting.

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday met school students at Bangabhaban for the first time under a newly introduced policy, urging them to become well-educated and responsible citizens to lead the country in the future. “You will lead Bangladesh in the future. We see a new Bangladesh and new dreams in you,” he said while meeting students of Motijheel Ideal School and College at the presidential palace in the morning. A selected group of meritorious students from Classes VII to IX, accompanied by teachers and led by the institution's Principal Prof Lal Mohammad, made the visit under the Policy on Visits to Bangabhaban by Students of Educational Institutions, 2026. The students toured various facilities at Bangabhaban before meeting the President at the Darbar Hall, where he addressed them and later took part in a photo session with them. The initiative aims to familiarise the younger generation with the history and heritage of Bangabhaban and the state. Addressing the students, Mirza Fakhrul emphasised the importance of respecting parents, teachers and elders and remembering the sacrifices parents make for their children. He said becoming well-educated and responsible citizens will help them fulfil both their parents' dreams and the nation's expectations. Turning to Bangabhaban, President said it is not just a building; it is a symbol of the state and a witness to history. He said students from different educational institutions will be brought to Bangabhaban in phases to develop their interest in the institution, the state and future leadership. In the age of information technology, Mirza Fakhrul also urged the students to develop their skills in science and technology and come forward with new innovations. The President's secretary, press secretary and other senior Bangabhaban officials were present during the meeting.

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday stressed the need to improve textile education and research to produce internationally competitive engineers and specialists and reduce the sector’s dependence on foreign experts. He made the remarks when a seven-member delegation led by Bangladesh University of Textiles (BUTEX) Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Md Julhas Uddin paid a courtesy call on him at Bangabhaban. MP from a reserved seat for women and BUTEX alumna Sanjida Islam was also present. Describing textiles as one of the country’s major economic sectors, the president emphasised ensuring suitable employment opportunities at home and abroad for textile graduates. This would help make proper use of the country’s skilled human resources while earning foreign currency, he said. The president also underscored the need to increase domestic cotton production to meet the raw material requirements of the textile industry. He called for taking initiatives to encourage farmers, explore ways to reduce production costs and strengthen coordination between the agriculture and textile sectors. He further stressed the need for more research into extracting fibres from natural sources, including jute, pineapple leaves and banana plants, alongside the development of synthetic yarn. During the meeting, the delegation briefed the president on BUTEX’s contributions to the development of the country’s textile and readymade garment industries, as well as its academic and research activities. They also highlighted several issues requiring attention, including infrastructure development, the establishment of modern laboratories, recruitment of additional staff, the creation of a separate BCS (Textile) cadre, increased budgetary allocations and the allocation of land in Purbachal, Dhaka, for a second campus. The president listened to their concerns and advised them to contact the relevant ministries to resolve the issues. He also assured the delegation of his cooperation. During the meeting, the VC invited the president, also the chancellor of the university, to preside over BUTEX’s second convocation, scheduled for March next year. The president accepted the invitation and assured the delegation that he would attend the event. Other members of the delegation included Prof Dr Md Ahsan Habib, dean of the Faculty of Textile Management and Business Studies; Prof Shilpi Akter, dean of the Faculty of Textile Engineering; Prof Dr Hasina Akhtar, dean of the Faculty of Science and Engineering; Prof Dr Rasheda Begum Dina, dean of the Faculty of Textile Chemical Engineering; and Prof Dr Lamia Zahir of the Faculty of Fashion Design and Apparel Engineering. The president's military secretary, secretary and press secretary were also present at the meeting.

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday morning visited Land Minister Mizanur Rahman Minu, who is undergoing treatment at Bangladesh Medical University. During the visit, the President enquired after the minister’s physical condition and wished him a speedy recovery, according to Bangabhaban. Minu was admitted to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital on October 21 after suddenly falling ill. As his condition deteriorated and he was found to be suffering from anaemia, he was given several bags of blood. On the advice of doctors, he was later brought to Dhaka for better treatment. The minister is now receiving treatment under the supervision of a team of specialist doctors.

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday stressed the need to expand sports facilities across the country to protect young people from drug addiction, excessive mobile phone use and despair, saying sports play a vital role in building a healthy and disciplined nation. He made the remarks while inaugurating the Arafat Rahman Koko 18th National Summer Athletics Competition 2026 at the National Stadium in Dhaka by releasing balloons and festoons in the evening. The president said sports teach young people discipline, perseverance and self-confidence, while expanding access to playgrounds and sporting activities is essential to protect the younger generation from destructive influences. “Without sports, there is no alternative to keeping the younger generation away from drug addiction, mobile phone addiction and frustration,” he said, stressing the need to promote sports to build a healthy nation. Describing athletics as the mother of all sports, Mirza Fakhrul said it provides a true test of an athlete's speed, strength, agility, discipline and endurance. A strong foundation in athletics would also help improve Bangladesh's performance in other sporting disciplines, he added. Sports are a symbol of national pride and unity, the president said, adding that seeing the national flag fly and hearing the national anthem at international sporting events is a matter of pride for the entire nation. “At that moment, we have only one identity – we are Bangladeshis,” he said, calling for greater efforts to develop homegrown athletes capable of bringing success to the country on the international stage. The president said a new enthusiasm had emerged in the country's sports sector, crediting Prime Minister Tarique Rahman for playing an important role in promoting different sporting disciplines from the grassroots level. He expressed his sincere thanks and gratitude to the prime minister for his initiatives to advance sports. Mirza Fakhrul said the government had undertaken various initiatives to promote sports, build a healthy nation and create employment opportunities. These include the introduction of sports cards and sports allowances, talent identification programmes at the grassroots level, and plans to establish modern sports villages at the district level, he said. The president said the prime minister had directed the authorities to ensure a playground in every union and that work on the initiative had already begun. He urged the relevant authorities to recover illegally occupied playgrounds, preserve existing sports facilities and identify suitable locations for developing new fields. Emphasising equal opportunities for women athletes, the president said no sporting talent should be lost because of financial hardship. He called for regular competitions at school, college, district and upazila levels to identify and nurture promising athletes. He also urged the relevant authorities to introduce inter-school sports competitions. To develop world-class athletes, the president called on industrial enterprises, banks, insurance companies and businesspeople to come forward as long-term sponsors alongside the government. He expressed hope that the competition would produce many talented athletes who would bring further glory to Bangladesh in international sporting events. Noting that the competition had been dedicated to the memory of prominent sports organiser Arafat Rahman Koko, the president prayed for the eternal peace of his departed soul and formally declared the competition open. The opening ceremony was presided over by Bangladesh Athletics Federation President Mohammad Abdullah Zaber. State Minister for Youth and Sports Md Aminul Haque attended as a special guest, while federation General Secretary Advocate Ali Imam Tapan delivered the welcome address. A march-past by 57 participating teams was held before the competition began, followed by a performance of the event's theme song. Former athletes Mohiuddin Ahmed and Sumita Rani Das lit the Games torch. After the inauguration, the president watched the men's and women's 100-metre sprint events and presented medals to the winners.  State Minister for Youth and Sports Md Aminul Haque, Dhaka South City Corporation Administrator and freedom fighter Md Abdus Salam, Bangladesh Athletics Federation President Mohammad Abdullah Zaber and its General Secretary Advocate Ali Imam Tapan welcomed him on arrival of Mirza Fakhrul at the National Stadium.

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday called for the formation of a national committee to ensure equal civic rights and facilities for people of all religions in Bangladesh. “Religion is personal, but the state belongs to all. Everyone has the right to security and justice,” he said, stressing that Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists and Christians are all citizens of the country and are entitled to equal rights, dignity and religious freedom under the Constitution. The President made the remarks while exchanging greetings with members of the Hindu community at Bangabhaban on the occasion of Sharadiya Durga Puja and Bijoya Dashami 2026. His wife Rahat Ara Begum was present. Emphasising the importance of communal harmony, Mirza Fakhrul said while wars, violence and communal conflicts are taking place in different parts of the world, people of all religions in Bangladesh are celebrating their respective festivals peacefully. “This harmony is our strength and our very existence. We must preserve it at all costs,” he said. The President warned that attempts are sometimes made to create divisions through rumours, misinformation and religious extremism, urging a firm and uncompromising stance against such efforts. He urged the younger generation, in particular, to speak out in favour of truth, justice and humanity. “The country belongs to all of us, and we must build it together. No evil force should be allowed to undermine national unity and progress by creating divisions,” Mirza Fakhrul said. He called for building a safe, democratic, humane and welfare-oriented Bangladesh founded on mutual respect, equality and social justice. Describing Bangladesh as a country of communal harmony, the President said people of different faiths have lived together on this land for thousands of years in an atmosphere of mutual respect and brotherhood. He also noted that the participation of people from all religious communities in the War of Liberation, democratic struggles and movements against injustice laid the foundation for national unity. Greeting members of the Hindu community on Bijoya Dashami, Mirza Fakhrul said he was delighted to welcome them to Bangabhaban for the festive occasion. He said the underlying message of the festival is the destruction of evil and the triumph of truth, beauty and welfare. “No citizen should face discrimination or persecution because of their religion, ethnicity or community identity,” the President said. He said law enforcement agencies and the administration have been directed to remain highly vigilant to ensure that people of all faiths can practise their religions in a safe and joyful environment. Earlier, when the President arrived at the Credential Hall of Bangabhaban, leaders of the Hindu Religious Welfare Trust, Bangladesh Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Welfare Front, Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad and the Mahanagar Sarbojanin Puja Committee greeted him with flowers. Mirza Fakhrul and his wife exchanged greetings with visitors and guests who attended the event. Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Houssain Kaikobad, State Minister Mohammad Shamim Kaiser, Prime Minister's Special Assistant Bijon Kanti Sarkar and senior officials of the President's Office were also present.

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday called for national unity to prevent the return of fascist rule and urged vigilance against attempts to create confusion in the name of religion. He made the remarks during a meeting with a delegation of prominent Islamic scholars and religious personalities at Bangabhaban. The delegation was led by Maulana Mufti Bashirullah, organising secretary of Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh. Recalling the persecution of Islamic scholars and their experiences in prison under the previous regime, the President said the fall of autocracy has given the country an opportunity to rebuild itself. “After the fall of autocracy, the Almighty Allah has given us an opportunity to build our country, and we must make the most of it through unity,” he said. Mirza Fakhrul stressed that everyone should remain alert to ensure that fascist misrule never returns and that no one can mislead people in the name of religion. He said Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia had great respect for Islamic scholars and religious leaders. Citing his respect for Islam, the President said Ziaur Rahman incorporated “Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim” into the Constitution and included absolute trust and faith in Almighty Allah among the fundamental principles of state governance. He said he is now a completely non-political person but will remain attentive to ensuring that no action is taken that hurts Islamic values or Shariah. During the meeting, the delegation offered to use its Arabic language skills, communication abilities and personal connections to help increase trade, business and investment with wealthy and developed Middle Eastern countries and secure grant assistance. In response, the President advised the delegation to maintain regular contact with the relevant authorities, including the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He also assured them of his cooperation. The delegation invited Mirza Fakhrul to visit Al Jamiatul Ahlia Darul Uloom Moinul Islam-Hathazari and Al-Jamiatul Islamia Azizul Uloom Babunagar Madrasa in Fatikchhari. The President expressed interest in visiting the institutions at a convenient time and meeting the Hefazat-e-Islam ameer. The President’s military secretary and press secretary were present at the meeting.

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday said the media is a fundamental pillar of democracy, stressing that a democratic media committed to strengthening the democratic system can serve the people most effectively. He made the remarks when a delegation of Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) led by its President Abu Saleh Akon and General Secretary Mynul Hasan Sohel met him at Bangabhaban. President's Press Secretary Md Sarwar Alam briefed reporters after the meeting. Emphasising the role of professional journalists’ organisations in safeguarding the rights and welfare of media workers, the President said journalists and their organisations must stand united and speak up to protect their professional interests. The President called on professional organisations to work together more effectively to address key challenges facing media workers, including unjust job dismissals, implementation of the Wage Board and ensuring justice for violence against journalists. During the meeting, the DRU delegation briefed the President on the organisation and its various welfare activities for members. They also sought his cooperation in ensuring the smooth operation of the organisation. The delegation invited the President to attend the DRU's Best Reporting Award ceremony as the chief guest. Recalling his participation in various programmes at the DRU during the long struggle and movement for the establishment of democracy, the President expressed his gratitude to journalists for their courageous role. He assured the delegation of his support for the development of the DRU and expressed optimism about attending its award-giving ceremony. The President's Military Secretary, Press Secretary and senior officials were present at the meeting.

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday called on people from all communities to work together to protect constitutional rights and stand up against any violation of citizens’ rights, regardless of their religious identity. “The rights guaranteed by the Constitution to people of every religion must be protected. If anyone’s rights are violated, we must stand up against it,” he said. The President made the remarks at a view-exchange meeting after visiting Ramakrishna Mission in the capital on the occasion of Durga Puja. He said the bonds of friendship, brotherhood and communal harmony among people of different faiths in Bangladesh have developed over thousands of years through mutual respect and peaceful coexistence. ““We will preserve at all costs the bonds of unity, brotherhood and goodwill built over thousands of years,” he said. “We want to see a Bangladesh where we can live in peace and happiness, where there is no division on the basis of religion and everyone can practise their faith without fear or anxiety,” Mirza Fakhrul said.  

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday said every citizen has equal rights in the state regardless of religious identity, stressing that these rights are guaranteed by the Constitution and must be protected. “Your slogan here is ‘Religion is individual, festivals are for all’. We would like to add to it: ‘Religion is individual, the state belongs to all’,” he said at an exchange of views after visiting Dhakeshwari Temple in the capital on Saturday afternoon on the occasion of Durga Puja. He said Bangladesh is an exceptional example of communal harmony, with people of different faiths living together in the region for centuries. “This remarkable unity and harmony can always be found in our literature, culture and arts,” he said. The president urged people to remain alert against those seeking to create divisions in society and exploit them for their own interests, warning that such attempts could undermine the longstanding communal harmony. He said people of different faiths had grown up together in Bangladesh since before independence and fought shoulder to shoulder during the 1971 Liberation War, united by the vision of building a non-communal country. “We remain committed to that vision and are prepared to pay any price to protect it,” he said.