Misinterpretation of religion, alienation behind extremism
With a call to tirelessly work together to eliminate extremism from the country, the two-day long Sampreeti Utshab (harmony festival) at Bangabandhu International Conference Center ended yesterday.
Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF) organised the festival which marked the closing of the year-long “SAMPREETI” project with an aim to engage youths in peace campaigns and keep them away from militancy.
Speaking as chief guest, Shamsul Hoque Tuku MP, president of the parliamentary permanent committee on the ministry of home affairs, said, “If we put spotlight on the history of our emergence -- from Language Movement to Liberation War -- we can see the force of youths playing a key role.”
“They [youths] can dismantle all kinds of irregularities. This initiative is commendable,” the lawmaker added.
In her opening speech, Shaheen Anam, executive director of MJF, spoke on how they reached out to around 49,000 youths with the message of peace and tolerance through the SAMPREETI project.
“Considering it [SAMPREETI] a pilot programme, the outcome of this could be a pathway to eliminate militancy,” she said, adding that small clubs are functioning effectively in social development across the country.
Saying that the year-long campaign will come to an end this month, Shaheen Anam said, “Now it is the duty of the youths [who participated in the campaign] to spread the teachings. They can bring peace by defeating the dark forces.”
During the two-day long festival, a total of four panel discussions were held -- well attended by youngsters, academics and journalists.
Kazi Maruful Islam, professor of development studies at Dhaka University, presented the recommendations that came from the discussions. “We have identified
different causes behind youths getting embroiled in extremism and over a hundred recommendations. Those will be available to all within days.”
Misinterpretation of religion, shrinking scope of differing opinions in politics, unhealthy competition due to market economy, and alienation induced by addiction to social media are among the main reasons driving youths to extremism, he mentioned.
Speaking as special guest, Monjurul Ahsan Bulbul, chief executive officer of Ekushey Television, said, “Bangladesh was born with the philosophy of harmony. We all have individual responsibilities; we can’t only hold the state liable.”
Pointing to the responsibilities of politicians, he said, “Politics has to be transparent and logical that will guide the youths towards the right path.”
SAMPREETI (Social Action and Mobilisation for Prevention of Radicalisation and Extremism through Enhanced and Targeted Interventions) is a project of MJF that operated in six districts of Dhaka division, and works to enhance harmony and tolerance among students of colleges, universities and madrasas.
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