Tue 18 Sep 2007
New piece published in DS that actually documents a lot of the recent developments:
Jamaat is one of the shrewdest operators in our political space. They are true survivors. They joined hands with the Pakistan army in 1971, and they have given support to other autocratic, anti-people forces since then. But every time, when that force has fallen from power, Jamaat has come out unscathed and smelling like rose water. Even though they were the primary minority partner in the last regime, Jamaat once again stands untouched.
More here
September 18th, 2007 at 11:01 pm
In the article “Exit the tigers, enter the dragon”, Shaher Zaidi, our yet another expert on Islam with specialization in the Bangladesh theatre, writes his suggestion and advice for the Embassy Row:
“Fourth, the US-led “war on terror” has set many misguided ideas in motion. One of these is the theory that Western nations need to maintain good relations with the so-called “moderate Muslim” political parties, in order to use them against the “militant” Islamic parties. Jamaat has played this card shrewdly so far, and it is possible that Western powers want them to be “left alone” as part of a theory that if Jamaat splinters, more radical groups will be born. Dear Embassy Row, you’ve backed the wrong horse — again.”
Islam has become a profitable business lately, experts are in high demand.
He ends his article with the following gem:
“Jamaat loyalists must be stopped from spreading their sphere of influence. Otherwise the current “rule of law” campaign runs the risk of ending up delivering us into an Islamist state.”
While I support his call for even handed approach of anti-corruption drive that includes corrupt politician and businessmen with Jamati affiliation, the above line is totally uncalled for. Jamat vermins and roaches have not infiltrated and invaded all the nooks and cranies of the government, army, business and ngo sector and is not about to turn Bangladesh into an Islamist state, anyone saying that is simply hyping and fearmongering catering to the West’s fear of anything Islamic. Embassy Row’s experts are sitting and living in Bangladesh just to see through such idiotic rants.
I want to ask “The Daily Star’s” editorial staff this question, do you actually read an article before you decide to publish them, how do these get through your filter, or is the filter actually colored to add certain hue of color to reality? And whose reality is it trying to influence, the Bangladeshi’s living in Bangladesh know better and most Diplomat’s living in Bangladesh are not so gullible to go for such nonsense. Then it must be for a gullible audience not residing in Bangladesh who already have a preconceived idea of Muslim Bangladesh that fit this description or a group that needs more manufactured ammunition for its propaganda drive against Islam and its adherents.
September 18th, 2007 at 11:15 pm
The Embassy Row that Zaidi is giving advice may be the one’s that played a not so insignificant role in bringing about this CTG with Army’s influence and are possibly in the drivers seat now in giving advice to CTG. So in effect this article would be an effort to rethink and reconsider Embassy Row’s strategy on Jamat. Politics and statecraft in Bangladesh is getting ever more interesting and convoluted. I just hope that it does not leave our masses poorer and more hungry and that is definitely something we cannot accept.
September 19th, 2007 at 12:29 pm
Please mention one factual thing which was incorrect in the article before trashing it.
September 19th, 2007 at 8:44 pm
sriraj, read my posts and then counter my arguments please, instead of coming up with one liners.
I have clearly stated that I support going after all corrupt Jamat affiliated businessmen and politicians, if there are any.
The main myth and propaganda item that this article and many so called Bangladesh experts are trying to established is that Jamat, the Islamist org is spreading its tentacles all throughout different sectors such as education, politics, government, army etc. and is getting ready for an Islamist take over of Bangladesh, whereas the fact remains that Jamat gets not more than 10% vote in any election and gets around 10-15 seats out of 300, so obviously this propaganda item does not match with reality that all of you are trying to establish.
Steady resurgence of Islamic values is a global phenomenon and Bangladesh is not outside of this, however the influence of political Islam or “Islamism” of Moududi, Salafi, Wahabi or Ikhwan variety is limited in Bangladesh and will remain so for the time being.
Have you read my posts, why do I need to repeat myself?
October 27th, 2007 at 2:42 am
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