Islamic Religious Frenzy in Bangladesh

This Religious Frenzy Must End Now – Walk the Path of Civilization

Bangladesh’s society has changed dramatically over the past 20–30 years. One of the most destructive catalysts of this change was the fascist regime of Sheikh Hasina and his corrupt Awami League party. The Gen Z generation grew up and developed their thinking under this authoritarian rule. Through the sacrifice of thousands of lives and permanent or temporary injuries to over twenty thousand people, Gen Z and ordinary citizens managed to drive out the previous fascist government. Yet the nation continues to suffer from the legacy of the millions of fanatical, fascist religious extremists nurtured and empowered by the ex prime minister Sheikh Hasina.

In rural areas and online, radical Islam spread rapidly under her rule. The severity of this threat is evident in videos circulating today. Sheikh Hasina’s regime enabled the murder of secular bloggers, freethinkers, dissenting writers, and cartoonists to gain favor with fundamentalists. But she could have chosen a different path – one of progress, education, science, democracy, and civilization. That would have gradually eliminated radical ideologies. She wouldn’t have had to flee the country, nor would his party’s millions of members be hiding in fear.

Consider the image of a helpless boy surrounded by thousands of enraged students and citizens, while the police – tasked with protecting him – stand idly by. What was his crime? Allegedly, he insulted the Prophet Muhammad. The problem with religious extremists, especially Muslim extremists, is that they interpret any rational critique of their prophet as blasphemy. Even quoting from their own Quran, Hadith, or other Islamic texts can be seen as offensive.

Just as Sheikh Hasina’s followers treated her like a prophet and attacked anyone who criticized her, the Prophet Muhammad is portrayed in Islamic texts as a fascist, tyrant, and mass murderer. Since there are no neutral historical or archaeological records from his time, Islamic scriptures are the only source – and they paint a disturbing picture. If judged by today’s standards, Muhammad would be tried in international court for crimes against humanity. Those who believe he was pure and sinless likely haven’t read their own religious texts with an open mind.

So if someone voices these criticisms, is that a crime? I don’t know what the boy said or wrote, but both Sheikh Hasina and Muhammad are public figures. Every person has the right to criticize them – even falsely or harshly – as part of their fundamental freedom of speech and human rights. Criticizing a fictional god is also a human right. Yet Muhammad declared that while someone who insults Allah may be forgiven if they repent, anyone who criticizes him must be executed as a “Shatim-e-Rasul.”

Was this level of radicalism always present? Today, people destroy shrines and attack folk singers. My sister was once tutored by a retired Hindu teacher – an atheist and science-minded man who openly criticized religion and the concept of a creator. No one disrespected him; in fact, people sought his wisdom. Traditional songs like Kobigan and Jari-Sari often challenged religious beliefs and divine authority.

Europe’s Renaissance was a movement to free society and state from the grip of the Christian Church. Religion became a personal matter, and Europe flourished – becoming a model of humanistic progress. If Bangladesh cannot separate religion from governance and uphold freedom of speech, how can it build a new future?

Still, I remain hopeful – especially because of Gen Z. They’ve grown up surrounded by religious sermons and had little exposure to alternative ideas. Yet their leaders don’t seem to be fundamentalists. Some come from madrasa backgrounds, which may actually help them understand the contrast between religious and secular thought. Take Mahfuz Alam, considered the mastermind of the Gen Z revolution – his recent speeches show no signs of religious extremism. He and others rarely invoke religious phrases like “Bismillah” or “Inshallah.” Check his timeline – you won’t find them.

This nation’s decline didn’t happen overnight, and its journey toward progress won’t either. We must be patient. The injustices we see today aren’t new – they reflect deep-rooted societal traits. To change the national mindset, we need to expand access to knowledge-based education. Even modest efforts to guarantee basic human rights and freedom of speech will set the country on a path to progress.

Please resist and oppose radical religious fanatics. Just as one person has the right to practice religion freely, another has the right not to practice – and to criticize religious figures or deities. If you can’t accept this simple standard of civilization, then you are the nation’s greatest enemy – the lance-bearers of fascism.