By Mujib Mashal and Saif Hasnat/New York Times
Taraganj and Dhaka, April 1 – The extremists began by asserting control over women’s bodies. In the political vacuum that has emerged after the overthrow of Bangladesh’s authoritarian leader, religious fundamentalists in one town declared that young women could no longer play soccer. In another, they forced the police to free a man who had harassed a woman for not covering her hair in public, then draped him in garlands of flowers.
More brazen calls followed. Demonstrators at a rally in Dhaka, the capital, warned that if the government did not give the death penalty to anyone who disrespected Islam, they would carry out executions with their own hands. Days later, an outlawed group held a large march demanding an Islamic caliphate.
As Bangladesh tries to rebuild its democracy and chart a new future for its 175 million people, a streak of Islamist extremism that had long lurked beneath the country’s secular facade is bubbling to the surface.
In interviews, representatives of several Islamist parties and organizations — some of which had previously been banned — made clear that they were working to push Bangladesh in a more fundamentalist direction, a shift that has been little noticed outside the country.
The Islamist leaders are insisting that Bangladesh erect an “Islamic government” that punishes those who disrespect Islam and enforces “modesty” — vague concepts that in other places have given way to vigilantism or theocratic rule.
Officials across the political spectrum who are drafting a new Constitution acknowledged that the document was likely to drop secularism as a defining characteristic of Bangladesh, replacing it with pluralism and redrawing the country along more religious lines.
The fundamentalist turn has been especially distressing for female students who helped oust the country’s repressive prime minister, Sheikh Hasina.
They had hoped to replace her one-party rule with a democratic openness that accommodates the country’s diversity. But now they find themselves competing against a religious populism that leaves women and religious minorities, including Hindus and adherents of small sects of Islam, particularly vulnerable.
“We were at the forefront of the protests. We protected our brothers on the street,” said Sheikh Tasnim Afroz Emi, 29, a sociology graduate from Dhaka University. “Now after five, six months, the whole thing turned around.”
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Critics say the country’s interim government, led by the 84-year-old Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, has not pushed back hard enough against extremist forces. They accuse Mr. Yunus of being soft, lost in the weeds of democratic reforms, conflict-averse and unable to articulate a clear vision as extremists take up more public space.
His lieutenants describe a delicate balancing act: They must protect the right to free speech and protest after years of authoritarianism, but doing so provides an opening for extremist demands.
The police, who largely deserted after Ms. Hasina’s fall and remain demoralized, can no longer hold the line. The military, which has taken up some policing duties, is increasingly at odds with the interim government and the student movement, which wants to hold officers accountable for past atrocities.
What is beginning to happen in Bangladesh mirrors a wave of fundamentalism that has consumed the region.
Afghanistan has become an extreme ethno-religious state, depriving women of the most basic liberties. In Pakistan, Islamist extremists have exerted their will through violence for years. In India, an entrenched Hindu right wing has undermined the country’s traditions of secular democracy. Myanmar is gripped by Buddhist extremists overseeing a campaign of ethnic cleansing.
Nahid Islam, a student leader who was a government minister in Bangladesh’s interim administration before stepping away recently to lead a new political party, acknowledged “the fear is there” that the country will slip toward extremism.
But he is hopeful that despite changes in the Constitution, values like democracy, cultural diversity and an aversion to religious extremism can hold. “I don’t think a state can be built in Bangladesh that goes against those fundamental values,” he said.
Some point to a Bengali culture with a deep tradition of art and intellectual debate. Others find hope in the shape of the country’s economy.
Women are so integrated in Bangladesh’s economy — 37 percent are in the formal labor force, one of the highest rates in South Asia — that any efforts to force them back into the home could result in a backlash.
Extremist forces are trying to push their way into the picture after 15 years in which Ms. Hasina both suppressed and appeased them.
She ran a police state that cracked down on Islamist elements, including those closer to the mainstream that could pose a political challenge. At the same time, she tried to win over Islamist parties’ religiously conservative base by allowing thousands of unregulated Islamic religious seminaries and putting $1 billion toward building hundreds of mosques.
With Ms. Hasina gone, smaller extremist outfits that want to upend the system entirely, and more mainstream Islamist parties that want to work within the democratic system, appear to be converging on a shared goal of a more conservative Bangladesh.
The largest Islamist party, Jamaat-e-Islami, sees a big opportunity. The party, which has significant business investments, is playing a long-term game, analysts and diplomats said. While it is unlikely to win an election expected at the end of the year, the party hopes to capitalize on the discrediting of mainstream secular parties.
Mia Golam Parwar, Jamaat’s general secretary, said the party wanted an Islamic welfare state. The closest model, in its mix of religion and politics, is Turkey, he said.
“Islam provides moral guidelines for both men and women in terms of behavior and ethics,” Mr. Parwar said. “Within these guidelines, women can take part in any profession — sports, singing, theater, judiciary, military and bureaucracy.”
In the current vacuum, however, men at the local level have been coming up with their own interpretations of Islamic governance.
In the farming town of Taraganj, a group of organizers decided last month to hold a soccer match between two teams of young women. The goal was to provide entertainment and inspire local girls.
But as preparations got underway, a town mosque leader, Ashraf Ali, proclaimed that women and girls should not be allowed to play soccer.
Sports organizers usually announce details of a game by sending loudspeakers tied to rickshaws around town. Mr. Ali matched them by sending his own speakers, warning people not to attend.
On Feb. 6, as the players were changing into their jerseys in classrooms turned into dressing rooms, local officials were holding a meeting about the game. Mr. Ali declared that he “would rather become a martyr than allow the match,” said Sirajul Islam, one of the organizers.
The local administration caved in, announcing the game’s cancellation and putting the area under curfew.
Taslima Aktar, 22, who had traveled four hours by bus to play in the match, said she had seen “a lot of cars, army and police,” who told the players that the match was off.
Ms. Aktar said that in her decade playing soccer, this was the first time she had faced such opposition.
“I am a bit afraid now of what could happen,” she said.
The organizers managed to carry out a women’s match a couple of weeks later, in the presence of dozens of security forces. But as a precaution, they asked the young women to wear stockings under their shorts.
With the preacher’s unrelenting threats, the organizers said they were not sure they would take the risk again.
During an interview, Mr. Ali, the mosque leader, beamed with pride: He had turned something mundane into something disputed. In a rural area like Taraganj, he said, women’s soccer contributes to “indecency.”
Women’s sports was just his latest cause. For years, he has preached and petitioned against the Ahmadiyya, a long-persecuted minority Muslim community, trying to drive its 500 members out of his area.
A pile of building rubble is seen through a broken concrete fence.
The place of worship of the Ahmadiyya, a persecuted Muslim sect, was attacked by a mob on the night that Bangladesh’s government collapsed.Credit…Mujib Mashal/The New York Times
The Ahmadiyya’s place of worship was attacked by a mob on the night that Ms. Hasina’s government collapsed, part of a national wave of anarchy that targeted minority religious sites, particularly those of Hindus. The Ahmadiyya community continues to live in fear; attendance at their prayer hall has shrunk by nearly half.
They are not allowed to rebuild the hall’s destroyed sign or to broadcast their call to prayer from loudspeakers. Mr. Ali shrugged off any responsibility for the violence. But the sermons of preachers like him, declaring the Ahmadiyya heretics who need to be expelled, continue to blare.
“The public is respectful,” said A.K.M. Shafiqul Islam, the president of the local Ahmadiyya chapter. “But these religious leaders are against us.”
Mujib Mashal is the South Asia bureau chief for The Times, helping to lead coverage of India and the diverse region around it, including Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bhutan. More about Mujib Mashal
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https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/01/world/asia/bangladesh-islam.html
Dhaka slams NY Times article for one-sided portrayal of Bangladesh
Dhaka, April 1 (Dhaka Tribune) – The Chief Adviser’s Press Wing criticizes a New York Times article for oversimplifying the country’s dynamics, unfairly smearing the nation and ignoring its progress by using selective examples to paint an inaccurate picture of extremism
The Chief Adviser’s Press Wing issued a rebuttal on Tuesday to The New York Times article “As Bangladesh Reinvents Itself, Islamist Hard-Liners See an Opening,” saying it painted a troubling and one-sided view of Bangladesh by suggesting that the country was on the brink of being overtaken by religious extremism.
“This portrayal not only oversimplifies the political and social dynamics of the country but also risks unfairly smearing an entire nation of 180 million people. It is crucial to acknowledge the progress Bangladesh has made over the last year and the complexity of the situation rather than relying on selective, incendiary examples that paint an inaccurate picture,” the Press Wing added.
It continued: “While the article highlights certain incidents of religious tension and conservative movements, it overlooks the broader context of progress. Bangladesh has made substantial strides in improving the conditions for women, and the interim government has been particularly committed to their security and well-being. This is a government that has prioritized women’s rights and security, a focus that stands in stark contrast to the bleak image painted in the article.
“Another claim that Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus ‘has not pushed back hard enough against extremist forces’ is not only false, but it also disregards his lifelong commitment to empowering women. As chief adviser, Yunus has been unwavering in his advocacy for women’s rights. A father of two daughters, Yunus has built his entire career and Grameen Bank around a deep belief in the power of women, which ultimately earned him the Nobel Prize. His dedication to advancing women’s rights and protecting their freedoms is a cornerstone of his work and reputation.”
While correcting misconceptions about religious violence, the Press Wing said: “In a country like Bangladesh, it is important to distinguish between political unrest and religious violence. Many of the clashes between different groups in the wake of Sheik Hasina’s departure and since have been misrepresented as sectarian violence when, in reality, they were largely political in nature. Political factions often use religion to galvanize support, which complicates the issue and risks conflating political unrest with religious persecution. It is misleading to frame the entire situation as a sectarian conflict as it ignores the true political and socio-economic factors at play.
“The interim government has made clear its commitment to protecting all minority communities, and its ongoing work with law enforcement and counterterrorism efforts underscores this commitment. Bangladesh’s efforts to combat extremism through social reforms and collaboration with the international community should not be overshadowed by the spread of misinformation.”
It went on to say: “Bangladesh is quietly transforming into one of Asia’s economic powerhouses, with a growth trajectory that promises immense opportunities for global investors. Against all odds, Bangladesh’s economy has stabilized, showing remarkable resilience. In the last seven months, exports have grown [by] almost 12%. The banking sector has remained intact after the political upheaval, and the local currency exchange rate has held steady at around Tk123 to the USD. Looking ahead, Bangladesh is projected to advance to become a middle-income country by 2026 and potentially the world’s ninth largest consumer market by 2030.”
“Where is the recognition of the incredible work done by the 84-year-old Muhammad Yunus over the past eight months? He has been tirelessly crisscrossing the globe to secure a better future for Bangladesh,” the Press Wing asked.
“Just last week, during his visit to China, the Chinese government and businesses committed $2.1 billion in loans, investments and grants to Bangladesh. And next week, Dhaka will host the Investors Conference, bringing over 2,300 participants from 50 countries, including top officials from global companies like Meta, Uber and Samsung. The world is increasingly recognizing Bangladesh as a rising economic power. This is a story of hope, strength, and unprecedented opportunity – one that deserves to be told with the respect and attention it merits.”
The Press Wing noted that the New York Times article provided a handful of incidents, such as the release of a man who had hurled abuse at a woman, to paint a picture of a country spiraling into extremism. “This approach is not only misleading but harmful. In a nation of 180 million people, it is unconscionable to define the entire country by a few isolated events. Bangladesh is a diverse and dynamic society with a rich history of resilience, culture, and progressive thought.”
“Bangladesh is not alone in facing the challenge of religious extremism; this is a global issue that many countries confront in different forms. However, Bangladesh has continuously worked to address these challenges through law enforcement, social reforms, and counterterrorism initiatives. The country’s commitment to protecting its diverse population – whether Muslim, Hindu, Christian or any other community – remains steadfast. While there will always be hardliners who spew hatred at rallies and on social media, it is our responsibility to deny them the oxygen their anger requires.
“Furthermore, the notion that the rise of extremism is an inevitable outcome of Bangladesh’s political transition is far too deterministic. The country’s democratic spirit and vibrant civil society are powerful forces that continue to hold back the full rise of extremist ideologies. While challenges remain, the long-term direction of Bangladesh will not be shaped solely by the actions of extremists. The people of Bangladesh, particularly its youth and women, are determined to continue the fight for a just, democratic, and inclusive society.
“Finally, Bangladesh’s history of resilience, its commitment to democracy and its focus on women’s empowerment are all testaments to the fact that the country will continue to move forward, despite the challenges it faces. Rather than focusing on a few negative examples, we should recognize the broader picture of progress, resilience, and determination that defines Bangladesh today.”
https://www.dhakatribune.com/377734
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