Latest news with #IslamiAndolanBangladesh
The Diplomat
07-07-2025
- Politics
- The Diplomat
The Battle Over Electoral Reform in Bangladesh
Islamists want a proportional representation system under which they could win more seats. The BNP prefers the current first-past-the-post system. On June 29, Islami Andolan Bangladesh (IAB)'s Ameer Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim called for the upcoming national election to be held under the proportional representation (PR) system. Addressing a grand rally at the Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka, Karim said: 'In the next election, both houses of parliament must be elected through the proportional representation system. The number of seats a party gets in parliament should be proportional to the percentage of votes it receives.' Several other political parties, including the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) and the National Citizen Party (NCP) have backed the demand for a PR system. The IAB chief also asserted that Islam is the future of Bangladesh and asked for a 'single box' for Islamist forces. 'Ahead of the election, a united and unbreakable alliance must be formed among patriotic, Islamic forces against corrupt, extortionist, and terrorist elements,' he said. Unity among Islamist forces has long been an issue of political debate. While they often appear monolithic from the outside, this perception rarely holds in practice. Instead, theological divergences are frequently weaponized in political discourse, with different factions undermining one another's legitimacy to consolidate influence. A notable attempt to unify Islamist forces in the late 1970s collapsed, giving birth to the Islami Andolan Bangladesh in 1987 as a distinct entity. After a series of extensive talks and behind-the-scenes negotiations among Islamist leaders, it now appears that the various Islamist parties are approaching an unprecedented level of cohesion and unity. The post-Hasina political scenario has served as a unifying catalyst, offering shared incentives and strategic benefits for these groups to move forward collectively. Historically, Bangladesh's political landscape has been dominated by two mainstream parties — the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and the Awami League (AL) — which together secured nearly 70-80 percent of the votes. Other parties, including Jatiya Party (JP) and JI, have typically captured the remainder. However, events following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led AL government on August 5 and her flight from the country have dramatically altered this equation. The AL has been banned on allegations of mass murder. The center-left space it occupied in Bangladesh politics is now open. As for the JP, which provided unwavering support to the AL throughout its 16 years of authoritarian rule, it is facing a credibility crisis and is struggling for relevance. If in the past, the electoral contest was between the center-right (BNP) and the center-left (AL) alignments, this time is likely to be one between the right (Islamists) and the center-right (BNP). The significant and constructive role played by the Islamist forces during the July Revolution has legitimized their position in the eyes of the people. Bangladesh is likely to see a new parliamentary formation, where Islam as a value system is going to be more dominant than in the past. The long-term impact of this shift remains to be seen. The Islamists' demand for a PR electoral system is clearly strategic. While politically motivated, it carries practical advantages. For instance, in limiting the effectiveness of money and muscle power, as candidates cannot predict outcomes in advance. Securing an absolute parliamentary majority under this system will be extremely difficult, thereby reducing the risk of future authoritarian dominance akin to Hasina's rule. Currently, the BNP holds the largest share of public support, reportedly exceeding 40 percent. Under the existing first-past-the-post electoral system, they could secure an outright majority. However, the proposed PR system would prevent them from doing so. In turn, it would enable smaller political parties to obtain proportional parliamentary representation, making room for a more pluralistic and diverse political landscape. This is a demand that would go against the interests of the BNP. Not surprisingly, the BNP's response to the IAB demand was swift. BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman called on all political leaders to seriously consider the matter, pointing out that the PR system could create divisions instead of unity in the country. Echoing this concern, BNP standing committee member Salahuddin Ahmed said that those advocating for a PR system and prioritizing local government polls aim to delay or obstruct the upcoming national election. This emerging debate around the nature of the electoral system has become a critical flashpoint, with potential implications for political unity and stability. Without a consensus among key parties, the risk of election postponement and parliamentary deadlock looms large. Bangladesh cannot afford another parliament without a legitimate opposition presence. Therefore, the interim government must actively engage all political stakeholders to finalize an election roadmap. Only through inclusive dialogue and institutional coordination can the next national election proceed in a manner that safeguards participation, legitimacy, and democratic continuity.
News18
04-07-2025
- Politics
- News18
Bangladeshi Islamist Leader Vows To Follow Taliban Model If Voted To Power: 'Will Introduce...'
Faizul Karim vowed to model Bangladesh's governance on Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, sparking backlash from Awami League. Mufti Syed Muhammad Faizul Karim, leader of the Islamist group Jamaat–Char Monai and chief of Islami Andolan Bangladesh, declared that if his party forms the next government, it will model Bangladesh's governance on Taliban-controlled Afghanistan and implement nationwide Sharia law. In an interview, Karim said, 'If government is formed by winning the national election, the Islamic Movement Bangladesh will introduce Sharia law in the country." 'The current governance system of Afghanistan will be followed," he added. Karim went on to assert that his party's interpretation of Islamic governance would also draw elements from Iran, as he said, 'If needed, we will follow Iran's model too. We will take what is good from anywhere in the world- America, England, Russia- as long as it does not contradict Sharia." The remarks sparked sharp backlash from Bangladesh's ruling Awami League, which accused the Jamaat–Char Monai alliance of openly laying out a blueprint for transforming the secular democracy into a religious state governed by rigid Islamic law. Calling the interview 'chilling", the Awami League issued a statement warning of a coordinated agenda by Islamist factions to dismantle democratic norms, enforce religious codes and suppress women's and minority rights. The party pointed to a rise in sectarian violence, including attacks on Hindu temples, disruptions of religious ceremonies and increasing threats against women. It blamed the Yunus-led interim government for failing to curb what it called 'unchecked extremism" since Sheikh Hasina's removal from office in August last year. Karim, however, remained unapologetic about his vision, asserting, 'We are not talking about violence. We are talking about a system based on the Quran and Hadith. And if the people vote for it, then it is their choice." He also claimed that his party would not immediately dismantle the current state apparatus, saying, 'We will implement Sharia law step by step. What does not conflict with Islam- we will keep. What does- we will change." First Published: July 04, 2025, 21:17 IST
Saudi Gazette
19-02-2025
- Politics
- Saudi Gazette
Amid hardline threats, Bangladesh girls forced to cancel football matches
DHAKA — Asha Roy, 17, was excited to take part in a women's football tournament, but her hopes were dashed as Islamists forced the organizers to cancel the match in northern before the game began earlier this month, the Islami Andolan Bangladesh group announced a protest rally against the event in Rangpur region, saying it was trouble, local police stepped in and the women's team members were asked to return to their home for their safety."I was frustrated and frightened. We had never faced such a situation before. It was disappointing that we came back without playing," Ms Roy told the a Muslim-majority nation, is currently undergoing a political transition after widespread protests ousted its authoritarian government last interim administration is currently in charge but there are concerns that hardline groups, which had been pushed to the fringes, have become emboldened women's football match was the third to be canceled in northern Bangladesh in less than two weeks due to the objections of religious the Dinajpur area, roughly 70km (43 miles) west of Rangpur, hardliners protesting against a game clashed with locals who supported it, leaving four people girls such as Asha Roy, who come from rural areas, football and other sports are a source of female empowerment and a way out of poverty. Those who shine can be selected to play for sponsored teams and some go on to represent Bangladesh girls have been inspired to take up football thanks to the success of the national women's team, who are considered heroes after winning two consecutive South Asia Football Championships in recent Roy's teammate, Musammat Tara Moni, said she would not stop playing despite the threats."It's my dream to represent our national team. My family supports me, so I am not losing hope," the 16-year-old their coach Nurul Islam, the objections came as a surprise. "I have taken the team to many tournaments for the past seven years, but it's the first time we have faced a situation like this," he hardliners insist that the match they stopped was against their religious values and say that they are determined to prevent any future football games."If women want to play football, they should cover their entire body, and they can play only in front of female spectators. Men cannot watch them play," Maulana Ashraf Ali, the leader of the Islami Andolan Bangladesh in the Taraganj area of Rangpur, told the cancellation of the women's football matches caused an uproar on social media, leading the authorities to reorganize one of them. They have also launched an investigation into the incidents but say the fear of radicalism is exaggerated."There is no truth in the allegations that the government is pandering to Islamists," Shafiqul Alam, press secretary to interim leader Muhammad Yunus, told the pointed out that hundreds of women's sports matches were held as part of a national youth festival in January, and that they were played across the country without any people are not reassured. Samina Luthfa, assistant professor of sociology in the University of Dhaka, told the BBC the cancellation of the women's football matches was "definitely alarming"."The women of Bangladesh will not stop playing football and will not stop from going to work or doing their things," she said, adding that "everyone will fight" efforts to remove women from public decisions made by the interim government since it assumed power in August have also raised include revoking a ban on the country's largest Islamic party, Jamaat-e-Islami, which was introduced in the last days of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina's Rahmani, the leader of the banned militant group Ansarullah Bangladesh (ABT) — now known as Ansar al Islam — was released in August after a court granted him bail. He was sentenced to five years in prison in connection with the killing of a secular blogger in 2013, but had been kept behind bars because of other pending to local media reports, several other people accused of having links with extremist groups have also been given bail in the past few months."Though security forces say they will monitor those released, it will be difficult for them to put everybody under surveillance given the limitations," says Dr Tawohidul Haque, a crime analyst from the University of most Bangladeshis are moderate and secular values dominate society, extremism is not a new phenomenon in the country. A decade ago, religious zealots targeted secular bloggers, atheists, minorities, foreigners and others in a spate of attacks — killing dozens and sending others fleeing one such incident, a group of Islamist gunmen stormed the Holey Artisan Bakery in Dhaka in 2016, killing 20 is not just women's football games that have been targeted recently either. Last week, dozens of Muslim students vandalized a book stall at Dhaka's famous Ekushey Book protesters were angry over the display of a book by the exiled feminist author Taslima Nasrin, who has in the past received death threats from Islamist groups for what they say are her blasphemous Yunus condemned the incident saying the attack "shows contempt for both the rights of Bangladeshi citizens and for the laws of our country." The police are one of the country's best-known actors, Pori Moni said she was stopped from inaugurating a department store in the northern town of Tangail after reported objections from religious groups."Now I'm really feeling helpless, as well as insecure. It's part of my job to take part in opening a showroom or a similar event. No one has stopped me all these years," Ms Moni told the BBC Bengali events involving two other actors, Apu Biswas and Mehazabien Chowdhury, have also been canceled following groups like the Sufi Muslims say they are also witnessing increasing attacks on their places of worship."About a hundred of our shrines [mazars] and centers have been attacked in the past six months," Anisur Rahman Jafri, Secretary General of the Sufism Universal Foundation, told the BBC."We have not seen this kind of sudden extremist attack on us since the country's independence in 1971," he added, warning that the country was at risk of "Talibanization" if the situation said 40 shrines were damaged and that they had stepped up security around religious authorities have also been struggling to maintain law and order in the wake of Sheikh Hasina's departure. Earlier this month, thousands of protesters vandalized homes and buildings connected to Hasina and senior leaders of her Awami League from other groups and parties, including Islamists, joined in other demonstrations in the capital, Dhaka, and across the authorities have defended the security forces for not intervening, saying doing so would have cost groups have expressed concern over the security situation."If the government fails to act, then Islamists are going to feel emboldened. There will be more self-censorship for women and girls, they will be more intimidated participating in public events," Shireen Huq, a prominent women's rights activist, told the BBC. "I am still optimistic that this phenomenon will not sustain," she added. — BBC
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Facing Islamist threats, Bangladesh girls forced to cancel football matches
Asha Roy, 17, was excited to take part in a women's football tournament, but her hopes were dashed as Islamists forced the organisers to cancel the match in northern Bangladesh. Shortly before the game began earlier this month, the Islami Andolan Bangladesh group announced a protest rally against the event in Rangpur region, saying it was un-Islamic. Fearing trouble, local police stepped in and the women's team members were asked to return to their home for their safety. "I was frustrated and frightened. We had never faced such a situation before. It was disappointing that we came back without playing," Ms Roy told the BBC. Bangladesh, a Muslim-majority nation, is currently undergoing a political transition after widespread protests ousted its authoritarian government last year. An interim administration is currently in charge but there are concerns that Islamist groups, which had been pushed to the fringes, have become emboldened again. The women's football match was the third to be cancelled in northern Bangladesh in less than two weeks due to the objections of religious hardliners. In the Dinajpur area, roughly 70km (43 miles) west of Rangpur, Islamists protesting against a game clashed with locals who supported it, leaving four people injured. Is once-in-a-generation chance lost for Bangladesh's women? Sheikh Hasina: The pro-democracy icon who became an autocrat For girls such as Asha Roy, who come from rural areas, football and other sports are a source of female empowerment and a way out of poverty. Those who shine can be selected to play for sponsored teams and some go on to represent Bangladesh internationally. Many girls have been inspired to take up football thanks to the success of the national women's team, who are considered heroes after winning two consecutive South Asia Football Championships in recent years. Ms Roy's teammate, Musammat Tara Moni, said she would not stop playing despite the threats. "It's my dream to represent our national team. My family supports me, so I am not losing hope," the 16-year-old said. For their coach Nurul Islam, the objections came as a surprise. "I have taken the team to many tournaments for the past seven years, but it's the first time we have faced a situation like this," he said. The Islamists insist that the match they stopped was against their religious values and say that they are determined to prevent any future football games. "If women want to play football, they should cover their entire body, and they can play only in front of female spectators. Men cannot watch them play," Maulana Ashraf Ali, the leader of the Islami Andolan Bangladesh in the Taraganj area of Rangpur, told the BBC. Mr Ali also insisted that the group "definitely" want hard-line Islamic Sharia law in Bangladesh. The cancellation of the women's football matches caused an uproar on social media, leading the authorities to reorganise one of them. They have also launched an investigation into the incidents but say the fear of radicalism is exaggerated. "There is no truth in the allegations that the government is pandering to Islamists," Shafiqul Alam, press secretary to interim leader Muhammad Yunus, told the BBC. Mr Alam pointed out that hundreds of women's sports matches were held as part of a national youth festival in January, and that they were played across the country without any trouble. Some people are not reassured. Samina Luthfa, assistant professor of sociology in the University of Dhaka, told the BBC the cancellation of the women's football matches was "definitely alarming". "The women of Bangladesh will not stop playing football and will not stop from going to work or doing their things," she said, adding that "everyone will fight" efforts to remove women from public spaces. Other decisions made by the interim government since it assumed power in August in relation to Islamist extremism have also raised concerns. They include revoking a ban on the country's largest Islamist party, Jamaat-e-Islami, which was introduced in the last days of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina's government. Jashimuddin Rahmani, the leader of banned Islamist militant group Ansarullah Bangladesh (ABT) - now known as Ansar al Islam - was released in August after a court granted him bail. He was sentenced to five years in prison in connection with the killing of a secular blogger in 2013, but had been kept behind bars because of other pending cases. According to local media reports, several other people accused of having links with extremist groups have also been given bail in the past few months. "Though security forces say they will monitor those released, it will be difficult for them to put everybody under surveillance given the limitations," says Dr Tawohidul Haque, a crime analyst from the University of Dhaka. While most Bangladeshis practise moderate Islam and secular values dominate society, Islamic extremism is not a new phenomenon in the country. A decade ago, religious zealots targeted secular bloggers, atheists, minorities, foreigners and others in a spate of attacks - killing dozens and sending others fleeing abroad. In one such incident, a group of Islamist gunmen stormed the Holey Artisan Bakery in Dhaka in 2016, killing 20 people. It is not just women's football games that have been targeted recently either. Last week, dozens of Islamist students vandalised a book stall at Dhaka's famous Ekushey Book Fair. The protesters were angry over the display a book by the exiled feminist author Taslima Nasrin, who has in the past received death threats from Islamist groups for what they say are her blasphemous writings. Muhammad Yunus condemned the incident saying the attack "shows contempt for both the rights of Bangladeshi citizens and for the laws of our country." The police are investigating. Meanwhile, one of the country's best-known actors, Pori Moni said she was stopped from inaugurating a department store in the northern town of Tangail after reported objections from religious groups. "Now I'm really feeling helpless, as well as insecure. It's part of my job to take part in opening a showroom or a similar event. No one has stopped me all these years," Ms Moni told the BBC Bengali service. Similar events involving two other actors, Apu Biswas and Mehazabien Chowdhury, have also been cancelled following threats by Islamists. Minority groups like the Sufi Muslims say they are also witnessing increasing attacks on their places of worship. Islamist extremists view Sufism as heretical. "About a hundred of our shrines [mazars] and centres have been attacked in the past six months," Anisur Rahman Jafri, Secretary General of the Sufism Universal Foundation, told the BBC. "We have not seen this kind of sudden extremist attack on us since the country's independence in 1971," he added, warning that the country was at risk of "Talibanisation" if the situation continued. Police said only 40 shrines were damaged and that they had stepped up security around religious sites. The authorities have also been struggling to maintain law and order in the wake of Sheikh Hasina's departure. Earlier this month, thousands of protesters vandalised homes and buildings connected to Hasina and senior leaders of her Awami League party. People from other groups and parties, including Islamists, joined in other demonstrations in the capital, Dhaka, and across the country. The authorities have defended the security forces for not intervening, saying doing so would have cost lives. Rights groups have expressed concern over the security situation. "If the government fails to act, then Islamists are going to feel emboldened. There will be more self-censorship for women and girls, they will be more intimidated participating in public events," Shireen Huq, a prominent women's rights activist, told the BBC. "I am still optimistic that this phenomenon will not sustain," she added. Additional reporting from the BBC Bengali service in Dhaka Crackdown on Bangladesh protesters may be crime against humanity, UN says Bangladesh issues arrest warrant for ex-leader Hasina
BBC News
18-02-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Bangladesh girls forced to cancel football amid Islamist threats
Asha Roy, 17, was excited to take part in a women's football tournament, but her hopes were dashed as Islamists forced the organisers to cancel the match in northern before the game began earlier this month, the Islami Andolan Bangladesh group announced a protest rally against the event in Rangpur region, saying it was trouble, local police stepped in and the women's team members were asked to return to their home for their safety."I was frustrated and frightened. We had never faced such a situation before. It was disappointing that we came back without playing," Ms Roy told the a Muslim-majority nation, is currently undergoing a political transition after widespread protests ousted its authoritarian government last interim administration is currently in charge but there are concerns that Islamist groups, which had been pushed to the fringes, have become emboldened women's football match was the third to be cancelled in northern Bangladesh in less than two weeks due to the objections of religious the Dinajpur area, roughly 70km (43 miles) west of Rangpur, Islamists protesting against a game clashed with locals who supported it, leaving four people injured. Is once-in-a-generation chance lost for Bangladesh's women?Sheikh Hasina: The pro-democracy icon who became an autocrat For girls such as Asha Roy, who come from rural areas, football and other sports are a source of female empowerment and a way out of poverty. Those who shine can be selected to play for sponsored teams and some go on to represent Bangladesh girls have been inspired to take up football thanks to the success of the national women's team, who are considered heroes after winning two consecutive South Asia Football Championships in recent years. Ms Roy's teammate, Musammat Tara Moni, said she would not stop playing despite the threats."It's my dream to represent our national team. My family supports me, so I am not losing hope," the 16-year-old their coach Nurul Islam, the objections came as a surprise. "I have taken the team to many tournaments for the past seven years, but it's the first time we have faced a situation like this," he said. The Islamists insist that the match they stopped was against their religious values and say that they are determined to prevent any future football games."If women want to play football, they should cover their entire body, and they can play only in front of female spectators. Men cannot watch them play," Maulana Ashraf Ali, the leader of the Islami Andolan Bangladesh in the Taraganj area of Rangpur, told the Ali also insisted that the group "definitely" want hard-line Islamic Sharia law in cancellation of the women's football matches caused an uproar on social media, leading the authorities to reorganise one of them. They have also launched an investigation into the incidents but say the fear of radicalism is exaggerated."There is no truth in the allegations that the government is pandering to Islamists," Shafiqul Alam, press secretary to interim leader Muhammad Yunus, told the Alam pointed out that hundreds of women's sports matches were held as part of a national youth festival in January, and that they were played across the country without any people are not reassured. Samina Luthfa, assistant professor of sociology in the University of Dhaka, told the BBC the cancellation of the women's football matches was "definitely alarming"."The women of Bangladesh will not stop playing football and will not stop from going to work or doing their things," she said, adding that "everyone will fight" efforts to remove women from public spaces. Other decisions made by the interim government since it assumed power in August in relation to Islamist extremism have also raised include revoking a ban on the country's largest Islamist party, Jamaat-e-Islami, which was introduced in the last days of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina's Rahmani, the leader of banned Islamist militant group Ansarullah Bangladesh (ABT) - now known as Ansar al Islam - was released in August after a court granted him bail. He was sentenced to five years in prison in connection with the killing of a secular blogger in 2013, but had been kept behind bars because of other pending to local media reports, several other people accused of having links with extremist groups have also been given bail in the past few months."Though security forces say they will monitor those released, it will be difficult for them to put everybody under surveillance given the limitations," says Dr Tawohidul Haque, a crime analyst from the University of Dhaka. While most Bangladeshis practise moderate Islam and secular values dominate society, Islamic extremism is not a new phenomenon in the country. A decade ago, religious zealots targeted secular bloggers, atheists, minorities, foreigners and others in a spate of attacks - killing dozens and sending others fleeing abroad. In one such incident, a group of Islamist gunmen stormed the Holey Artisan Bakery in Dhaka in 2016, killing 20 people. It is not just women's football games that have been targeted recently either. Last week, dozens of Islamist students vandalised a book stall at Dhaka's famous Ekushey Book protesters were angry over the display a book by the exiled feminist author Taslima Nasrin, who has in the past received death threats from Islamist groups for what they say are her blasphemous Yunus condemned the incident saying the attack "shows contempt for both the rights of Bangladeshi citizens and for the laws of our country." The police are one of the country's best-known actors, Pori Moni said she was stopped from inaugurating a department store in the northern town of Tangail after reported objections from religious groups."Now I'm really feeling helpless, as well as insecure. It's part of my job to take part in opening a showroom or a similar event. No one has stopped me all these years," Ms Moni told the BBC Bengali events involving two other actors, Apu Biswas and Mehazabien Chowdhury, have also been cancelled following threats by Islamists. Minority groups like the Sufi Muslims say they are also witnessing increasing attacks on their places of worship. Islamist extremists view Sufism as heretical."About a hundred of our shrines [mazars] and centres have been attacked in the past six months," Anisur Rahman Jafri, Secretary General of the Sufism Universal Foundation, told the BBC."We have not seen this kind of sudden extremist attack on us since the country's independence in 1971," he added, warning that the country was at risk of "Talibanisation" if the situation said only 40 shrines were damaged and that they had stepped up security around religious authorities have also been struggling to maintain law and order in the wake of Sheikh Hasina's departure. Earlier this month, thousands of protesters vandalised homes and buildings connected to Hasina and senior leaders of her Awami League from other groups and parties, including Islamists, joined in other demonstrations in the capital, Dhaka, and across the authorities have defended the security forces for not intervening, saying doing so would have cost lives. Rights groups have expressed concern over the security situation."If the government fails to act, then Islamists are going to feel emboldened. There will be more self-censorship for women and girls, they will be more intimidated participating in public events," Shireen Huq, a prominent women's rights activist, told the BBC."I am still optimistic that this phenomenon will not sustain," she reporting from the BBC Bengali service in Dhaka
