Rise of radical islam socio political issues

Radical Islam in Bangladesh:Radical Islam in Bangladesh:Socio-Political & Ideological IssuesSocio-Political & Ideological Issues

AA PresentationPresentationbyby

Air Cdre (Retd) Ishfaq Ilahi Choudhury, ndc, pscAir Cdre (Retd) Ishfaq Ilahi Choudhury, ndc, pscDhaka University, 14 October 2011Dhaka University, 14 October 2011

AA PresentationPresentationbyby

Air Cdre (Retd) Ishfaq Ilahi Choudhury, ndc, pscAir Cdre (Retd) Ishfaq Ilahi Choudhury, ndc, pscDhaka University, 14 October 2011Dhaka University, 14 October 2011

Objective:Objective:Objective:Objective:

Historical PerspectiveHistorical Perspective Factors ResponsibleFactors Responsible Impact on the Society and the Impact on the Society and the

StateState Impact on International RelationsImpact on International Relations RecommendationsRecommendations

Historical PerspectiveHistorical Perspective Factors ResponsibleFactors Responsible Impact on the Society and the Impact on the Society and the

StateState Impact on International RelationsImpact on International Relations RecommendationsRecommendations

Changing Face of Islam in Changing Face of Islam in BangladeshBangladesh

Traditional Islam in BangladeshTraditional Islam in Bangladesh Large scale conversion carried Large scale conversion carried out by ‘Pirs’, men of Sufi traditionout by ‘Pirs’, men of Sufi tradition

Syncretic culture with many Syncretic culture with many Hindu, Animist and Buddhist Hindu, Animist and Buddhist TraditionsTraditions

Bengal’s Secular Heritage: Bengal’s Secular Heritage: Cultural SynthesisCultural Synthesis

Reformist Movements during Reformist Movements during British Period: “Faraezi” British Period: “Faraezi” “Deobandi” Movements“Deobandi” Movements

Traditional Islam in BangladeshTraditional Islam in Bangladesh Large scale conversion carried Large scale conversion carried out by ‘Pirs’, men of Sufi traditionout by ‘Pirs’, men of Sufi tradition

Syncretic culture with many Syncretic culture with many Hindu, Animist and Buddhist Hindu, Animist and Buddhist TraditionsTraditions

Bengal’s Secular Heritage: Bengal’s Secular Heritage: Cultural SynthesisCultural Synthesis

Reformist Movements during Reformist Movements during British Period: “Faraezi” British Period: “Faraezi” “Deobandi” Movements“Deobandi” Movements

British policy of “Divide & Rule” created the British policy of “Divide & Rule” created the first communal riftfirst communal rift

Politicising Islam during Pakistan period and Politicising Islam during Pakistan period and the rise of Bengali nationalism - the rise of Bengali nationalism - marginalising religious partiesmarginalising religious parties

Emergence of Bangladesh and adoption of Emergence of Bangladesh and adoption of secularism as a state principlesecularism as a state principle

Violent change in 1975 and the Military Violent change in 1975 and the Military involvement in politicsinvolvement in politics Islamising the ConstitutionIslamising the Constitution Lifting of ban on religion-based politicsLifting of ban on religion-based politics

Rise of Islamist partiesRise of Islamist parties Jamaat-e-IslamiJamaat-e-Islami Islamic Oikyo JoteIslamic Oikyo Jote Islamic Shashontontro Andolon Islamic Shashontontro Andolon

Changing Face of Islam in Changing Face of Islam in

BangladeshBangladesh Changing Face of Islam in Changing Face of Islam in

BangladeshBangladesh

Emergence of Extremist Islamic Org:Emergence of Extremist Islamic Org: Harkartul Jihad al Islami (HUJI)

Mufti Hannan Jammatul Mujahidin Bangladesh (JMB)

Sheikh Abdur Rahman and Siddiqur Rahman“Bangla Bhai”

Jagroto Muslim Janata Bangladesh(JMJB) Ahle Hadith Movement

Prof. Asadullah Ghalib Hizbut Tawhid

Bayzid Khan Panni Hizbut Tahrir

Generally English medium, Private Universities, from well-off families




Major demands of Islamic Extremist Forces:Major demands of Islamic Extremist Forces: Turning Bangladesh into an Islamic State in line Turning Bangladesh into an Islamic State in line

with 7with 7thth Century Khilafat in Arabia Century Khilafat in Arabia Introduction of Shaaria Laws in place of English Introduction of Shaaria Laws in place of English

LawsLaws Replacing the existing state structure of Replacing the existing state structure of

parliament, administration, judiciary with their parliament, administration, judiciary with their version of Islamic statecraftversion of Islamic statecraft

Rejecting modernism and urging to go back to the Rejecting modernism and urging to go back to the way of life as envisioned by them in the 7way of life as envisioned by them in the 7thth century Arabiacentury Arabia

Employ violent ‘Jihad’ as a means to achieve the Employ violent ‘Jihad’ as a means to achieve the endend




Sl #Sl # DateDate TargetTarget CasualtiesCasualties

11 6 Mar 19996 Mar 1999 Udichi's musical programme, Udichi's musical programme, Jessore Jessore

10 killed, many injured10 killed, many injured

22 8 Oct 19998 Oct 1999 Ahmediya Mosque, KhulnaAhmediya Mosque, Khulna 8 killed, many injured8 killed, many injured

33 10 Jan 20110 Jan 201 Communist Party rally, DhakaCommunist Party rally, Dhaka 7 killed, many injured7 killed, many injured

44 14 Apr 200114 Apr 2001 Bengali New Year’s Bengali New Year’s Programme, Ramna, DhakaProgramme, Ramna, Dhaka

6 killed (one a probable 6 killed (one a probable suicide bomber)suicide bomber)

55 3 Jun 20013 Jun 2001 Church congregation, Church congregation, GoplagonjGoplagonj


66 6 Oct 20026 Oct 2002 Simultaneous attack on three Simultaneous attack on three Cinema Halls, MymensinghCinema Halls, Mymensingh


77 17 Jan 200317 Jan 2003 Faila Pir’s Mazar, TangailFaila Pir’s Mazar, Tangail 7 killed, many injured7 killed, many injured

88 12 Jan 200412 Jan 2004 Shah Jalal’s Mazar, SylhetShah Jalal’s Mazar, Sylhet 5 killed, many injured5 killed, many injured

99 21 May 200421 May 2004 Shah Jalal’s Mazar, SylhetShah Jalal’s Mazar, Sylhet 3 killed, many injured 3 killed, many injured including the UK High including the UK High CommissionerCommissioner

1010 21 Aug 200421 Aug 2004 Awami League (AL) rally in Awami League (AL) rally in Paltan, DhakaPaltan, Dhaka

21, including one top AL 21, including one top AL Leader, killed, hundreds Leader, killed, hundreds injuredinjured

1111 28 Jan 200528 Jan 2005 AL rally, HabigonjAL rally, Habigonj AL Leader and former AL Leader and former Finance Minister ASMS Finance Minister ASMS Kibria and two others Kibria and two others killedkilled

ATTACKS BY SUSPECTED ISLAMIC MILITANTS PRIOR TO MARCH 2005

19 August 2005

Major Terror Attacks Since 19 Aug 2005Major Terror Attacks Since 19 Aug 2005

Oct 3, 2005: 2 killed in bomb attacks on court house Oct 3, 2005: 2 killed in bomb attacks on court house outside Dhakaoutside Dhaka

Nov 14, 2005: 2 Judges killed in bomb attack in Nov 14, 2005: 2 Judges killed in bomb attack in Jhalakathi 100 Km sw of DhakaJhalakathi 100 Km sw of Dhaka

Nov 29, 2005: 11 killed in simultaneous attack on Court Nov 29, 2005: 11 killed in simultaneous attack on Court Houses in Chittagong and GhazipurHouses in Chittagong and Ghazipur

Dec 1, 2005: Suicide bomber killed 2 in Ghazipur Court Dec 1, 2005: Suicide bomber killed 2 in Ghazipur Court House attackHouse attack

Dec 8, 2005: 8 killed in suicide bomb attack in Dec 8, 2005: 8 killed in suicide bomb attack in Netrokona,Netrokona,

May 1, 2007: Simultaneous Bomb Blast in Dhaka, May 1, 2007: Simultaneous Bomb Blast in Dhaka, Chittagong and Sylhet Railway StationsChittagong and Sylhet Railway Stations

Reasons Behind Growth of Radical IslamReasons Behind Growth of Radical Islam

Clash between Enlightened vs. Fundamentalist Islam Clash between Enlightened vs. Fundamentalist Islam (Aligarh vs. Deobandh) since mid-19(Aligarh vs. Deobandh) since mid-19thth century century

Government’s policy of DenialGovernment’s policy of Denial ““We are a moderate Muslim state” themeWe are a moderate Muslim state” theme

Political Patronage by the Ruling ElitesPolitical Patronage by the Ruling Elites Military Autocrats (1975-1991)Military Autocrats (1975-1991) Politicians (1991-2007)Politicians (1991-2007)

Patronage from Oil-rich ME StatesPatronage from Oil-rich ME States Setting up of Mosques, Madrassas, orphanages, Hospitals, Setting up of Mosques, Madrassas, orphanages, Hospitals,

banks etc.banks etc. Creating an ‘underground’ Islamic economyCreating an ‘underground’ Islamic economy

Migrant worker population getting Cultural Exposure Migrant worker population getting Cultural Exposure in MEin ME Lonely, depressed and easily exploitedLonely, depressed and easily exploited

Reasons Behind Growth of Radical Reasons Behind Growth of Radical Islam: Unplanned Madrassa EducationIslam: Unplanned Madrassa EducationReasons Behind Growth of Radical Reasons Behind Growth of Radical Islam: Unplanned Madrassa EducationIslam: Unplanned Madrassa Education

Official Patronage of Madrassa Education:Official Patronage of Madrassa Education: Madrassa growth far outstrip the growth of Madrassa growth far outstrip the growth of

mainstream educational establishmentsmainstream educational establishments No reform, especially more numerous ‘Quomi’ No reform, especially more numerous ‘Quomi’

MadrassasMadrassas Students passing out from Madrassas are Students passing out from Madrassas are

disadvantaged in the public life – therefore, disadvantaged in the public life – therefore, becomes desperate and disillusionedbecomes desperate and disillusioned

Large number of Madrassa graduates finding Large number of Madrassa graduates finding no other jobs set up more mosques and no other jobs set up more mosques and madrassas – starting a cyclemadrassas – starting a cycle

Government, instead of modernising the Government, instead of modernising the curriculum, recognised their Degrees, without curriculum, recognised their Degrees, without consulting the academic community – a case of consulting the academic community – a case of political expediencypolitical expediency

Official Patronage of Madrassa Education:Official Patronage of Madrassa Education: Madrassa growth far outstrip the growth of Madrassa growth far outstrip the growth of

mainstream educational establishmentsmainstream educational establishments No reform, especially more numerous ‘Quomi’ No reform, especially more numerous ‘Quomi’

MadrassasMadrassas Students passing out from Madrassas are Students passing out from Madrassas are

disadvantaged in the public life – therefore, disadvantaged in the public life – therefore, becomes desperate and disillusionedbecomes desperate and disillusioned

Large number of Madrassa graduates finding Large number of Madrassa graduates finding no other jobs set up more mosques and no other jobs set up more mosques and madrassas – starting a cyclemadrassas – starting a cycle

Government, instead of modernising the Government, instead of modernising the curriculum, recognised their Degrees, without curriculum, recognised their Degrees, without consulting the academic community – a case of consulting the academic community – a case of political expediencypolitical expediency

Only Aliya Madrassa shown, Quomi not included due to lack of statistics

Reasons Behind Growth of Radical IslamReasons Behind Growth of Radical Islam

Government’s failure to provide adequate Government’s failure to provide adequate educational facilities puts madrassa as an educational facilities puts madrassa as an alternative for the pooralternative for the poor

Dysfunctional Democracy strengthens Islamists’ Dysfunctional Democracy strengthens Islamists’ argument for a ‘Khelafat’argument for a ‘Khelafat’

Discredited legal aid system and an anti-poor Discredited legal aid system and an anti-poor judiciary make ‘Sharia’ Court a viable alternative judiciary make ‘Sharia’ Court a viable alternative for the Poorfor the Poor

Corruption and poor governance turning people Corruption and poor governance turning people hostile towards traditional concept of statehostile towards traditional concept of state

Dream of a “Golden Age” long gone by allures the Dream of a “Golden Age” long gone by allures the Muslims for a revival of the past gloryMuslims for a revival of the past glory

Impact of world-wide rise of Islamic revivalismImpact of world-wide rise of Islamic revivalism Poverty is a factor, but not the only onePoverty is a factor, but not the only one

Government’s failure to provide adequate Government’s failure to provide adequate educational facilities puts madrassa as an educational facilities puts madrassa as an alternative for the pooralternative for the poor

Dysfunctional Democracy strengthens Islamists’ Dysfunctional Democracy strengthens Islamists’ argument for a ‘Khelafat’argument for a ‘Khelafat’

Discredited legal aid system and an anti-poor Discredited legal aid system and an anti-poor judiciary make ‘Sharia’ Court a viable alternative judiciary make ‘Sharia’ Court a viable alternative for the Poorfor the Poor

Corruption and poor governance turning people Corruption and poor governance turning people hostile towards traditional concept of statehostile towards traditional concept of state

Dream of a “Golden Age” long gone by allures the Dream of a “Golden Age” long gone by allures the Muslims for a revival of the past gloryMuslims for a revival of the past glory

Impact of world-wide rise of Islamic revivalismImpact of world-wide rise of Islamic revivalism Poverty is a factor, but not the only onePoverty is a factor, but not the only one

Rise of Radical Islam: Impact on the Rise of Radical Islam: Impact on the SocietySociety

Growing religious intolerance:Growing religious intolerance: Physical attack on non-conformist writers, poets or Physical attack on non-conformist writers, poets or

academiciansacademicians Delivering ‘Fatwas’, commonly on poor rural womenDelivering ‘Fatwas’, commonly on poor rural women Declaring non-conformists as ‘Murtaad’ or apostateDeclaring non-conformists as ‘Murtaad’ or apostate Marginalization of traditional Islam of South Asia with that of Marginalization of traditional Islam of South Asia with that of

official Saudi version of Islamofficial Saudi version of Islam Increased Communal disharmonyIncreased Communal disharmony

Attacking places of worship or religious belief of others, Attacking places of worship or religious belief of others, including Muslims, such as Ahmadiyasincluding Muslims, such as Ahmadiyas

Increasing visibility of Religious symbols:Increasing visibility of Religious symbols: Grandiose Mosques and MadrassasGrandiose Mosques and Madrassas Increased Religious programmes in Public MediaIncreased Religious programmes in Public Media Islamic (Arab) Dress Code becoming more commonIslamic (Arab) Dress Code becoming more common Politicians using religious symbol to appear more IslamicPoliticians using religious symbol to appear more Islamic

Rise of Radical Islam in Bangladesh: Rise of Radical Islam in Bangladesh: Impact on Regional and International Impact on Regional and International

ArenaArena International Concern since series bombingInternational Concern since series bombing

US and Western concernUS and Western concern Formulation of a Counterterrorism Strategy Formulation of a Counterterrorism Strategy Jt Counterterrorism ExerciseJt Counterterrorism Exercise Equipment and trainingEquipment and training

Reflections in the International mediaReflections in the International media Anxieties in the Indo-Bangladesh Relations Anxieties in the Indo-Bangladesh Relations

Terrorists' international linkTerrorists' international link Pakistan-Bangladesh-India-Nepal axisPakistan-Bangladesh-India-Nepal axis

Porous border and cross-border arms traffickingPorous border and cross-border arms trafficking Link between Islamist militants and Marxist Link between Islamist militants and Marxist

insurgents?insurgents?

Curbing Radical Islam: Curbing Radical Islam: RecommendationsRecommendations

Encourage Bangladeshi Culture and Encourage Bangladeshi Culture and traditions.traditions.

Prepare Islamic society to be part of a multi-Prepare Islamic society to be part of a multi-cultural, multi-religious community of nations.cultural, multi-religious community of nations.

Strengthen democratic institutions. Strengthen democratic institutions. Government to ensure physical and economic Government to ensure physical and economic security to its citizen. security to its citizen.

Ensure freedom of speech, opinion and Ensure freedom of speech, opinion and religious practices.religious practices.

In the long term, religion be relegated to the In the long term, religion be relegated to the private domain, with the state taking a private domain, with the state taking a secular character.secular character.

Ensure economic prosperity with social Ensure economic prosperity with social justice. justice.

Reduce rich-poor divide.Reduce rich-poor divide.

Ensure quality education that produce ethical Ensure quality education that produce ethical citizen.citizen.

Reform both Madrassa and English Medium Reform both Madrassa and English Medium curriculum to reflect national culturecurriculum to reflect national culture

Introduce uniform educational curriculum up to at Introduce uniform educational curriculum up to at least 8least 8thth grade grade

The Madrassa and English medium stream may The Madrassa and English medium stream may start after completing uniform curriculum.start after completing uniform curriculum.

The Madrassas be registered with the Government.The Madrassas be registered with the Government. Madrassa books to be scrutinized to ensure that Madrassa books to be scrutinized to ensure that

none of those advocate violence and religious none of those advocate violence and religious intolerance.intolerance.


Formulate a National counter terrorism strategy based on: Prevent: Take measures so that terrorism cannot take root Prepare: Prepare so that the damage is minimized in case

terrorist attack happens Protect: Protect all vital installation as well as the population

from the terrorist attack Increase regional and international cooperation in counter

terrorism: Regional Counter Terrorism Cell Increased flow of Information regarding terrorist movement,

organization and logistics Deny sanctuary and extradite terrorist seeking cover in another

country Stricter border control

Monitor inflow of arms and money, books, and other propaganda materials from abroad esp. from ME and increasingly from the West


We want a terror free South Asia We want a terror free South Asia and the World. Let us work and the World. Let us work against all forms of religious against all forms of religious violence, extremism and violence, extremism and discrimination. Thank Youdiscrimination. Thank You