Article blocked SQ Chy's election as OIC chief

Former Bangladesh Permanent Representative to the United Nations AK Abdul Momen yesterday said one of his writings had a significant impact on stoppingthe election of executed war criminal and BNP leader Salauddin Quader Chowdhury as secretary-general of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

The then BNP-led government nominated SQ Chowdhury for the position in the2004 OIC election, he told the launching ceremony of his new book, “Bangladesh Marching Forward”, which incorporated the article, at the Bangla Academy.

“I protested the Bangladesh government decision and wrote the article citing the nominee as a controversial person, war criminal and accused in several criminal cases,” he said.

Momen, who was living in Saudi Arabia back then, said the article was published in several international newspapers including the Arab News and Saudi Gazette.

He handed over the article to different OIC member state ambassadors after inviting them to his residence and also requested several Muslim nations including Saudi Arabiato oppose the Bangladesh nominee.

“Ithad a very good impact,” he said, adding, “Then I could realise that the pen is mightier than the sword.”

In addition to 24 articles, the book, published by NRB Scholars Publishers, also features 19 lectures delivered by the former Bangladesh diplomat. It highlights the country's “anarchic and unstable” situation during 2001-2008, while one of the articles “Curious Crusade against Family Politics” depicted the move against “dynasty” in Bangladesh politics after the 1/11 incident.

Abdul Momen served as permanent representative to the UN from 2009 to 2015.

Prime Minister's Political Affairs Adviser HT Imam, Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, and Prof Emeritus Anisuzzaman were present, among others.