Progressive forces must join organised battle against religious extremism

FE Report

All the progressive forces in the country need to be organised socially, culturally and politically to battle against growing threat of religious extremism ignited by economics of fundamentalism, speakers said at a programme on Saturday.

Terming rise of religious and state-sponsored fanaticism a global phenomena, they also said financial and political imperialism is the root cause of such insurgency while Bangladesh is also a sufferer of it.

The observations were made at a function for cover unveiling of a book titled 'Fundamentalism in Bangladesh: Ins and Out of Political Economy of Militancy' by eminent economist and researcher Dr Abul Barkat.

Bangladesh Economic Association (BEA) organised the function at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) in the city, where Language Movement veteran and writer Ahmad Rafique attended as chief guest.

Barrister M Amir-ul Islam, former National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Chairman Prof Dr Mizanur Rahman, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Kamrul Hasan Khan, dramatist and cultural activist Mamunur Rashid, Islamic Foundation director general Shamim Mohammad Afzal and politician Pankaj Bhattacharya also spoke on the occasion with former BEA president Dr Moinul Islam in the chair.

Delivering chief guest's speech, Mr Rafique said, "Fundamentalism is not just limited to religion rather it has been also taking shape in other forms like politics and nationalism."

He said previously, it was heard that only students of madrasas joined extremist religious groups but recent incidents have showed that youths from well-off families who got educated in English medium schools were also found among these groups.

Expressing that battle against extremism needs to be started within the family first, the language movement veteran said formation of a democratic society free from discrimination can only mitigate spread of militancy.

Citing the suggestions made by the latest book by Mr Barkat, he focused on fresh structuring of primary education system and good governance in the state to prevent fundamentalism.

Barrister Amir-ul Islam said according to the Constitution, the country is supposed to have a uniform primary education; but in reality, it was diversified in many ways for different reasons.

The senior lawyer emphasised robust renovation of the country's education system to stop spread of extremism.

Dr Mizanur Rahman said there is a deep-rooted connection between the fundamentalism and militancy and even fundamentalism is the key element of global imperialism.

"State has to root out fundamentalism from the country and in this case, government has to be cautious and differentiate fundamentalism from religion. The country must go back to 1972's Constitution to do so", he added, suggesting that the government keep vigilant on the Khutba during Jummah prayer and waz-mahfil.

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