logo
Bangladesh Islamists rally in show of force

Bangladesh Islamists rally in show of force

DHAKA: Thousands of Bangladeshi Islamists rallied in Dhaka on Saturday, one of their biggest public shows of strength in years as religious activism surges.
Islamist groups have gained strength after the toppling of the iron-fisted regime of Sheikh Hasina in August 2024, opposing attempts at reforms they say are un-Islamic.
Hefazat-e-Islam – an influential pressure group made up of multiple political parties, Muslim organisations and religious schools – issued a string of demands at Saturday's rally, including the abolishment of a government women's commission seeking equality.
'Men and women can never be equal: the Quran outlines specific codes of life for both genders,' said Mohammad Shihab Uddin, 53, leader of a women's madrassa, a religious school.
'There is no way we can go beyond that.'
The rally on Saturday came after two days of demonstrations by political parties, drumming up support ahead of much-anticipated elections, including by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), widely tipped to win the poll.
No date has been set for elections but caretaker leader Muhammad Yunus, the Nobel Peace Prize winner who heads the interim government, has promised polls will be held by June 2026 at the latest.
Muhammad Umar Faruq, 30, another teacher at a seminary, said they helped the interim government run the country.
'If a government attempts anything anti-Islamic in a country where 92 percent of the population is Muslim, we will reject it immediately,' Umar Faruq said.
Hasina, who was blamed for extensive human rights abuses, took a tough stand against Islamist movements during her autocratic 15-year rule.
Since she fled to India – where she has defied extradition orders to face charges of crimes against humanity – Islamist groups have become emboldened.
That has sparked worries from smaller groups, including Muslim Sufi worshippers and the Hindu minority, who together account for less than a 10th of the population.
Women, in particular, have expressed concern.
Islamists have demanded an end to a swath of activities, including cultural events deemed 'anti-Islamic' – from music to theatre festivals, women's football matches and kite-flying celebrations.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Jamaat-e-Islami rejects federal budget, terms it elitist and anti-people
Jamaat-e-Islami rejects federal budget, terms it elitist and anti-people

Express Tribune

time29 minutes ago

  • Express Tribune

Jamaat-e-Islami rejects federal budget, terms it elitist and anti-people

Listen to article Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami, Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman, has strongly rejected the federal budget, branding it a 'pro-elite document' that exacerbates poverty, inflation, and inequality. Addressing a press conference at Mansoora on Wednesday, he said the government has failed to provide relief to the common man, choosing instead to favor the ruling class and privileged segments of society. "The budget imposes a heavy tax burden on the salaried and middle-income groups while offering no meaningful concessions or structural reforms," he said. He termed claims of poverty reduction by the government as "delusional" and "contrary to ground realities," noting that over 110 million Pakistanis continue to live below the poverty line. Hafiz Naeem accused the government of mismanaging the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), alleging it has become a tool of political manipulation and corruption, particularly in Sindh. Rs700 billion allocated for poverty alleviation is being used for corrupt practices. This misuse must be investigated and those responsible punished," he asserted. He argued that if these funds were invested in IT education, Pakistan's IT industry revenues could have surpassed Rs300 billion. Criticising the deteriorating state of education, he highlighted that nearly 29.2 million children remain out of school, while 'ghost schools' continue to drain public funds through fraudulent means. He lamented the lack of investment in education despite repeated claims of an 'education emergency.' Speaking on taxation, Hafiz Naeem revealed that the salaried class contributed Rs 499 billion in taxes this year, yet received no relief. He called for complete tax exemption for salaried workers and condemned the fact that 111 departments, including military-run organizations and private entities like Zia Hospital, are exempted from taxes while the poor are burdened with inflated utility bills. He sharply criticised the recent 600% increase in the salaries of the National Assembly Speaker and Senate Chairman, questioning the silence of government officials on the matter. He also denounced the imposition of an 11% tax on solar energy systems, calling it a violation of environmental and energy conservation commitments. "The government and opposition only pretend to be adversaries, but unite when it comes to enhancing their perks and privileges," he stated. Commenting on the economy, Hafiz Naeem said the country's current growth rate of 0.45% reflects policy failures, especially the "anti-farmer measures" taken by successive governments. He criticized agriculture credit schemes as "publicity stunts" that do not deliver real support to farmers, and pointed to a 30% decline in cotton cultivation as a consequence of neglectful policies. He described the ongoing use of outdated tools like Form 47 as emblematic of the systemic rot in agricultural governance. He further alleged that public funds are being collected through excessive taxation without any tangible benefits in return, whether in education, health, or public safety. Referring to Independent Power Producer (IPP) agreements, he said that promises of reduced electricity tariffs remain unfulfilled, while increases in petroleum levies amount to 'daylight robbery' from citizens' pockets. "The government has conceded that it may fall short of revenue targets by Rs1,500 billion and intends to impose an additional Rs 500 billion in taxes. What then is the logic behind such a budget?" he asked. Citing debt figures, Hafiz Naeem said every Pakistani now owes Rs76,000, with Rs5 trillion out of Rs11 trillion in total debt servicing going towards interest payments. "If interest rates were halved, it would significantly reduce electricity and gas prices," he added. He called the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) a "hub of corruption," advocating for deep institutional reforms or even the disbanding of the FBR to improve tax collection and eliminate debt dependency. He accused the FBR of using threats of anti-corruption action to facilitate further corruption. Demanding a reduction in civil and military privileges, he urged the government to redirect national resources toward the genuine needs of the people, especially defense requirements rooted in strategic necessity, not extravagance. Reaffirming his support for farmers, Hafiz Naeem announced a campaign against injustices faced by the agrarian community, citing previous success in securing reduced electricity tariffs following public pressure against IPPs. On foreign affairs, he alleged that India's intelligence agency, RAW, is involved in sponsoring terrorism in Balochistan. "There can be no negotiations with entities complicit in terrorism," he stressed. He also urged Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto to pursue serious diplomatic efforts on the Kashmir issue and demanded a clear and principled stance from the Pakistani government against US and Israeli policies.

PTI stages protest for Imran's release
PTI stages protest for Imran's release

Express Tribune

time11 hours ago

  • Express Tribune

PTI stages protest for Imran's release

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Sindh staged a protest demonstration and rally outside the City Court Karachi, calling for the immediate release of Imran Khan and wife, Bushra Bibi. A large number of PTI leaders, lawyers, workers, and people participated in the demonstration. Protesters carried banners and chanted slogans in support of the detained leaders, demanding immediate release of Imran Khan and other party leaders and workers. PTI Sindh President Haleem Adil Sheikh said that the supremacy of the Constitution and the rule of law have been dismantled. "Form-47 governments, imposed through rigged elections, have pushed the country to the brink," he claimed. "Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi have been jailed in false cases, and the doors of justice have been shut. Judges go on leave when it is time to deliver justice. Today again, the judge scheduled to hear the Al-Qadir Trust case went on leave," he said, alleging a conspiracy to deny Khan justice.

Investor confidence increasing due to govt policies: Azma
Investor confidence increasing due to govt policies: Azma

Business Recorder

time12 hours ago

  • Business Recorder

Investor confidence increasing due to govt policies: Azma

LAHORE: Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari has said that investors' confidence is rising due to government policies and the stock exchange is setting new records. Speaking at a press conference at DGPR alongside the Minister for Local Government, Azma Bokhari remarked that Pakistan is currently witnessing a season of positive developments. She said the government has provided substantial relief to salaried individuals by reducing their tax burden, and congratulated the Prime Minister for it. Despite IMF pressure, the federal government presented a balanced and people-friendly budget, she said. 'Those who were hoping for Pakistan's default are still unable to digest any good news that benefits the nation,' she said, adding 'The federal budget 2025-26 provides relief to the people, yet some elements wished that Pakistan would become like Sri Lanka and fail to secure the IMF programme.' Bokhari said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is the only party that cannot tolerate national progress. She said these same individuals are now running a 'March to Washington' campaign. Over the last year, the Punjab government has achieved significant successes, which these elements find hard to accept. On the day of the budget, the nation witnessed how PTI turned the National Assembly into a marketplace. Their approach has always been, do nothing, and prevent others from doing anything as well, she added. Azma highlighted that the exemplary cleanliness arrangements across Punjab during Eid-ul-Azha were widely appreciated by the public, with citizens offering prayers for the Chief Minister. However, some elements were bothered even by this success. She also mentioned that Federal Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi requested the Punjab government to support cleanliness operations in other areas as well. Azma Bokhari criticised those who raise concerns about parliamentarians' salaries while ignoring the fact that the Prime Minister and Finance Minister draw no salaries. She urged the public to also consider when the last time parliamentary salaries were increased. 'The people like us from middle-class backgrounds are also involved in politics. Should we, too, start a business alongside politics?' she asked. She mocked Goher Ayub's post-defeat statement in Sumbariyal, where he claimed no campaign was run. 'The truth is that these people, along with their YouTubers, are only loud online. On the ground, they have no presence,' she said. She also remarked, 'The 'Field Marshal' is heading to the United States, but let it be clear, honour and disgrace lie in the hands of Allah — and Allah has honoured him greatly.' The Punjab Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafiq said that during the three days of Eid, exceptional cleanliness arrangements were made across Punjab. The Chief Minister personally oversaw all operations for four days. A total of 315,669 animal remains were collected and disposed of within just three days — a record achievement, he said, adding: 'The 10-day cattle markets were established across Punjab with model arrangements. Around 12,000 public complaints were received and addressed promptly.' He acknowledged that the decision to outsource sanitation services initially drew criticism, but the government acted by issuing notices to companies where complaints of unpaid staff wages emerged. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store