Clarification by Razzaq Foundation
Following a Daily Star report, published on Sunday (May 21), the Director General of the Gyantapas Abdur Razzaq Foundation, Prof Ahrar Ahmad, yesterday issued the following clarification.
"It is with some concern that I noticed that a judgment and language attributed to me in a report carried by the Daily Star on May 21, was inaccurate and misleading. At the Distinguished Lecture Series organized by the Razzaq Foundation on May 20 at the National Museum, where the featured speaker was Mr. Badruddin Umar, I had NEVER referred to any political leader, party or regime, and certainly not the current administration. "I had spoken generally about three issues. First, I had described some of the challenges that democracies face, particularly in the areas relating to freedom of thought and expression, and indicated the need to be vigilant and active about protecting such fundamental rights. Second, I had emphasized the Razzaq Foundation's interest and effort in providing an intellectual space for different ideas, persuasions and orientations to be expressed, as part of the process of strengthening the values and practices of democracy. Third, I had explicitly stated that the Foundation does not necessarily share or endorse any particular point of view conveyed by any of its guests and presenters.
"I hope that the Daily Star will set the record straight by publishing my clarification. Incidentally, the report had also got my name wrong."
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