Five Rakhine families have been provided with house construction assistance in Nayapara Rakhine village of Kalapara upazila. In addition, 26 Rakhine students have been given scholarships and five students have been given bicycles.

A program was organized on this occasion on Friday (November 29) afternoon.

Kalapara Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md. Rabiul Islam was present as the chief guest at the program. Rakhine leader Mong Talukder presided over the program. Among other guests, Barishal Indigenous Forum President Mongchothin Talukder and Caritas officer Rakhine Mongmia spoke.

Upazila Nirbahi Officer Rabiul Islam said that these assistance have been provided as an initiative of the upazila administration to improve the quality of life of the Rakhine people.

He also said that initiatives have been taken to build two Rakhine houses in the Nayapara area to preserve the culture and heritage of the Rakhine people. These houses will preserve the uniqueness of the Rakhine people and house various materials used by them, including looms, which will attract tourists and increase travel to Kuakata.

The government has issued a statement at the UN against the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, spokesperson of Sammilit Sanatani Jagran Jote and principal of Pundarik Dham in Chattogram and the misinterpretation of minority oppression.

On Thursday (November 28), Bangladesh's Permanent Representative to the UN, Tarek Md. Ariful Islam, briefed the UN Forum on Minority Issues in Geneva on the steps taken by the government to protect minorities.

This information was given in a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday (November 29).

In the statement, Bangladesh's Permanent Representative to the UN said, "We note with great disappointment that some speakers have misinterpreted the arrest of Chinmoy Das. In fact, he was arrested on specific charges. The case is pending in court. Even after the recent brutal killing of a Muslim lawyer, our government’s prompt intervention and support from leaders of all religions helped maintain peace and avert untoward incidents.’

‘Our government is vigilant and will continue to work immediately to maintain religious harmony at all costs and thwart any attempt to undermine the rights of minorities.’

Explaining the violence that erupted after the fall of the previous Awami League government, Bangladesh’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations said, ‘The violence that broke out in Bangladesh after August 5 was rooted in political and personal reasons, not communal ones. In most cases, that violence affected biased politically loyal people; almost all of them were Muslims and only a few were from other religious minority groups. There was no targeted attack on minorities. Rather, the world witnessed how the entire Bangladesh, following our long tradition of communal harmony, came forward to protect its minorities after the mass upsurge in July. Our government under the leadership of Professor Yunus has received overwhelming and unprecedented support from people of all religions.

Stating that ensuring the security of every citizen, including minority communities, is the mainstay of the interim government of Bangladesh, Tarek Md. Ariful Islam said, ‘Bangladesh reiterates that every Bangladeshi, regardless of religious identity, has the right to practice his or her religion or express his or her opinion freely. This has been repeatedly assured by our top leadership to minority religious leaders and has been proven time and again in the first 100 days of the government. Two advisers have been appointed from minority communities.’

Regarding the spread of fake news on minority oppression, he said in a statement, ‘Unfortunately, when the people of Bangladesh were setting a glorious example of religious harmony, we have noticed exaggerated, baseless and fake news and deliberate misinformation by vested interests about minority oppression. Unfortunately, we have seen this in this forum as well. Many such propaganda have been debunked by the global media. Our government is ready to welcome foreign journalists visiting Bangladesh to see the real situation.

Dhaka: A Kolkata-based religious organization called ‘Bengiya Hindu Jagran’ organized a violent protest outside the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata.

On Thursday (November 28) afternoon, a large group of protesters organized a rally and demonstration that turned violent, with the protesters breaking through police barricades and reaching the premises of the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission premises. The Bangladesh government has expressed ‘deep concern’ over the incident and called for ensuring the security of diplomatic and non-diplomatic Bangladeshi staff in the country.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its concern in a statement on Friday (November 29).

The statement details the incident and says that the protesters set fire to the national flag of Bangladesh and burnt an effigy of the Chief Adviser to the Bangladesh government.

The situation appears to be under control at the moment, the statement said, “However, there is a feeling of insecurity among all the members of the Deputy High Commission.”

The Bangladesh government strongly condemns the despicable act of desecrating the national flag of Bangladesh and burning the effigy of the Chief Adviser. The Bangladesh government has called on the Indian government to take necessary measures to avoid such incidents in the future.

Noting that the Bangladesh government condemns any violent act, the Ministry of External Affairs said the government calls on the Indian government to ensure the safety and security of the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata and other diplomatic missions of Bangladesh in India, as well as its diplomatic and non-diplomatic staff. 

Dhaka: Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said that a four-pronged conspiracy is currently underway against us. We have to be more alert and aware. If we fail this time, the people of Bangladesh will have no place to go. We must always keep our minds ready to serve the people, not to enjoy. We must embrace the entire nation. We must be diligent and honest in all our work and show wisdom. We cannot fear anyone except Allah.

He said this as the chief guest at a ‘Friendship Rally’ organized by the former and current members of Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir, Dhaka Metropolitan North, at the Sea Shell Resort in Purbachal, the capital, on Friday (November 29).

Presided over by Abu Sayeed Mohammad Faruk, Convener of the Friendship Rally Implementation Committee and former President of the Dhaka Metropolitan North Branch of the Chhatra Shibir, and moderated by Anisur Rahman, President of the Dhaka Metropolitan North Branch of the Chhatra Shibir, and Rezaul Karim Shakil, Secretary of the Dhaka Metropolitan North Branch of the Chhatra Shibir, Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir Central President Manjurul Islam, Secretary of the Jamaat-e-Islami Dhaka Metropolitan North Dr. Muhammad Rezaul Karim, Amir of Sylhet Metropolitan City Fakhrul Islam, Amir of Gazipur Metropolitan City Professor Jamal Uddin, former Central President of the Chhatra Shibir Dr. Fakhruddin Manik, Yasin Arafat and Salauddin Ayubi, former Central Dawah Secretary Sirajul Islam Shahin, and former presidents of Dhaka Metropolitan North Branch.

The Ameer-e-Jamaat said to the former leaders and activists of the Dhaka Metropolitan North Branch of the Chhatra Shibir, you are scattered in different parts of the country. Wherever we are, we must maintain the place of people's love for Jamaat, which has been created through our tireless efforts in upholding the faith. Take care that it is not destroyed in any way.

Among others, the gathering was also attended by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Dhaka Metropolitan North Assistant Secretary Mahfuzur Rahman, Dhaka Metropolitan North Jamaat Publicity and Media Secretary Ataur Rahman Sarkar, Chhatra Shibir's Central Publicity Secretary Dr. Sadeq Billah, along with the former Dhaka Metropolitan President, Secretaries and former members of the branch.

The day-long gathering included cultural performances, remembrances, speeches by martyred families and injured and disabled brothers. More than 700 delegates participated in the gathering held in a joyful atmosphere.