Kick out the 'bloody Bismillah'

Dhaka , Bangladesh, April 13 — Islamic terrorist activities result in the deaths of countless innocents and spread the message of hatred and violence. Bangladesh has failed to deal with Islamic terrorism over the years. Islamic terrorism has its roots historically in the definition of Islam as a state religion.

The historical, rotten root of political Islam and Islamic extremism emerged due to the long absence of a secular parliamentary democracy. By knocking down the ascent of the secular constitution of Bangladesh, some of Bangladesh’s dirty politicians seek to move Bangladesh from a secular to an Islamic identity.

Many nations all around the world, including Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, and the United States, have already successfully introduced anti-terrorism legislation. It’s time for Bangladesh to introduce constructive anti-terrorism legislation as well.

It’s ironically true that a law alone will not be able to deter Islamic terrorism in Bangladesh. Before introducing an anti-terrorism law, the government should first should first kick out the “bloody Bismillah” and the root of Islamic extremism in the form of Islam as a state religion. The nation and its citizens should be indoctrinated with a spirit of secularism and move forward toward a better and progressive Bangladesh.

An anti-terrorism law should be an extraordinary law that fits in with a true democratic standard and that is distinct from the laws of Bangladesh’s penal code. In drafting the law, the government should keep in mind that no one should be able to use the implementation of such a law as a political instrument. The government should also keep in mind that the law should not only focus on present or past activities of any Islamic extremist group, but should be formed in a manner that would eliminate the roots of Islamic extremism from society.

Experience shows that Islamic extremists are recruiting and indoctrinating new members from their ill-fated Muslim inmates in Bangladesh’s prisons, during their imprisonment. In a situation like this, the Bangladesh government should create a new prison solely for Islamic extremists and ensure that they receive proper correction and education about justice and peace.