Article
Inclusive development and restoring human dignity
Every year on February 27th, World NGO Day is commemorated in various countries across the globe. This day has a brief yet significant history. World NGO Day serves as a global event for non-governmental development organizations that tirelessly strive for social advancement worldwide. It acknowledges the importance of NGOs and their collaborative role as social institutions in development. Presently, this occasion is celebrated with great enthusiasm in over 89 countries. However, it is regrettable that despite Bangladesh being a hub for NGOs, the day is not observed with the respect it deserves.
George Harrison: The unsung hero of Bangladesh's Liberation War
Some foreign names are uttered with deep gratitude in the history of Bangladesh's Liberation War—among them, George Harrison stands out. This guitarist of the world-famous band The Beatles was not merely a musician; he was a courageous voice for humanity. Born on February 25, 1943, in Liverpool, UK, the initiative he took during Bangladesh's hour of need in 1971 is not only unique in music history but also permanent and radiant in the hearts of Bengalis.
The first protest against Punjabi discrimination
The Language Movement marked the awakening of the Bengali nation. What began in 1947 reached its culmination in the blood-soaked spring of 1952. Yet this movement was not merely a linguistic awakening; it emerged from accumulated deprivation and the betrayal of the Pakistani ruling elite.
A late afternoon with Meherun Runi and eternal regret
Following the regime change in 2024, it was widely anticipated that the entire nation would witness a just investigation and trial regarding the highly publicized Sagar-Runi murder.
Tough challenges await new government
With the conclusion of the thirteenth national parliamentary election on 12 February, Bangladesh is about to enter a significant and complex phase in its political journey. This election is not merely about a transfer of power or the formation of a new government; rather, it is taking place against the backdrop of prolonged political polarization, mounting economic pressure, and growing international diplomatic concerns. As a result, while public expectations of the incoming government will be immense, the challenges awaiting it will be equally formidable and structural in nature—according to political analysts.
A Response to Jamaat Ameer Shafiqur Rahman’s Views on Women’s Political Role
The Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e Islami, Mr. Shafiqur Rahman, has categorically declared that no woman can ever occupy the party’s highest leadership position. In an extended interview with Al Jazeera, he justified this stance by appealing to what he termed “God-given biological differences” (interview with Al Jazeera, 29 January 2026). Yet such a claim, delivered with finality, raises serious theological, hermeneutical, and ethical concerns within the Islamic tradition. Before addressing Mr. Rahman’s assertion directly, it is necessary to return to the Qur’anic hermeneutics that underlie debates on women’s political leadership in Islam.
The political significance of this referendum
The referendum scheduled to be held on 12 February, the same day as the 13th National Parliamentary Election, has sparked extensive discussion and analysis across the country’s political arena as well as in international circles. In the current political context, the importance of this referendum is multidimensional. According to political analysts, the decision by a major political force to boycott the process has turned the referendum into more than a routine vote, transforming it into a profound and multifaceted test for Bangladesh’s politics.
How much will rumours influence this election
The much-discussed 13th national parliamentary election is set to be held on February 12. As the election draws closer, political tension and violence are rising, accompanied by a rapid spread of rumours and disinformation. Alongside street politics, the virtual world has turned into a battlefield of an “information war”. Fake news on social media, AI-generated deepfake videos and fabricated photo cards have created a dangerous reality that can influence voter decisions. This raises a critical question: how much impact can rumours have on the upcoming election
AI–Nuclear interface: A new frontier of existential risk
The world is entering an era where the pinnacle of human innovation could be the instrument of its own extinction. As Artificial Intelligence (AI) promises to revolutionize everyday life, its growing integration into nuclear decision-making systems is igniting a race that is as lethal as it is unpredictable. Today, a critical question has emerged: should the decision to deploy weapons capable of annihilating civilization ever be shaped, even indirectly, by algorithms?
Inside the Epstein Files: Unraveling the web of crime, power, and influence
The Epstein Files have captured global attention, exposing the vast criminal and social networks of financier Jeffrey Epstein. Millions of pages of documents, photographs, emails, financial records, flight logs, and witness statements offer an unprecedented window into the operations of a man whose wealth, influence, and criminality intersected in ways that shocked the world.