BOYCOTT BANGLADESH

This video is graphic and disturbing.

The Violent Oppression of Women in Islam

From: http://www.srilankaguardian.org/2010/06/al-qaeda-eyes-on-bangladesh.html

Al Qaeda eyes on Bangladesh

by: Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury

(June 29, Dhaka, Sri Lanka Guardian) Notorious terror kingpin and Al Qaeda man Mullah Omar has signed a sermon endorsing Islamist Jihad in Bangladesh with the goal of seizing power from the democratically elected government thus transforming the moderate Muslim nation into an Islamic republic. According to various sources, a number of Islamist politicians and clergies in Bangladesh are having regular contact with Mullah Omar and other top ranking terrorists in Al Qaeda. It is already reported that, Jihadists are taking extensive preparations under the direct guidance of Al Qaeda kingpins to stage Islamic revolution in Bangladesh. With this goal, recruitment and training of Jihadists are continuing in more than 71,000 Madrassas throughout the country as well as hidden training camps within Chittagong Hill Tract area, Burmese Border and mountains in Nepal.

Please read the entire article at: http://www.srilankaguardian.org/2010/06/al-qaeda-eyes-on-bangladesh.html

From: http://www.thenigerianvoice.com/nvprint/28425/1/the-jihadist-ambassador.html

THE JIHADIST AMBASSADOR

Shahta Zarab, former Palestinian ambassador in Bangladesh and a close aide of Yasir Arafat was known as a notorious drug trafficker and master of many misdeeds during his stay in Dhaka. He even established links with a large number of posh society girls in Bangladesh, many of whom were ultimately destined to be supplied to Yasir Arafat’s bedroom.

In January 2006, Bangladeshi government was compelled to force Shata Zarab in leaving Dhaka before they [Bangladesh authorities] would declare him Personna Non Grata for behaviors goings against the Geneva Convention. Such decision of Bangladeshi government came, when a number of intelligence agencies got specific evidences of Shahta’s direct involvement in trafficking in drugs and arms. He was even bringing various types of weapons in ‘Diplomatic Pouch’ and were supplying the same to several terrorist groups inside Myanmar and India.

In Bangladesh, Shahta Zarab cashed the sympathy of Bangladeshi government towards Palestinian people and continued all forms of notoriety for more than fifteen years.

It is told that, Shahta Zarab was running illegal business at the blessings of Yasir Arafat and millions of dollars accrued from such trades were shared between the two culprits.

Shahta Zarab’s name came at the forefront when his secret relations with a number of Bangladeshi females came into press. Especially his illicit relations with Bidisha [former wife of deposed military ruler in Bangladesh] were a hot topic in Bangladeshi media. It is even endorsed by Bidisha in several media interviews that, she named her child after the name of Shahta Zarab. Many of investigative reporters in Bangladesh claimed that, Shahta was the father of this child. It is known to all that, Palestinian ambassador Shahta Zarab was a good friend of President Ershad.

After assassination of President Ziaur Rahman, through a silent conspiracy, army chief Hussain Muhammed Ershad assumed power in a bloodless coup in March 1982. Since then, Ershad continued to remain in power for consecutive nine years. During this period, he had very intimate relations with the Palestinian ambassador in Bangladesh, and it is reported in the press that, Ershad-Shahta duo were continued multiple criminal activities with the goal of making money. It is even told that, Yasir Arafat was later included in this team. During this period, Yasir Arafat visited Bangladesh several times [on official and private trips]. Most of the times, he was carrying drugs and gold from various countries in the Middle East as well as Afghanistan. ‘Dark Hour Parties’ were arranged by Ershad and Shahta Zarab in the honor of Yasir Arafat in Dhaka during most of such visits. Women were even brought in from neighboring countries for the entertainment of the Palestinian leader.

Apart from various forms of illegal activities, the Palestinian ambassador in Bangladesh was also working closely with Iranian embassy in Dhaka in recruiting locals for Jihadist activities inside Israel. Such recruitments were done under the banner of organizations like ‘Palestine Liberation Front’, ‘Al Qud Society’ etc. Shahta was receiving huge amount of money from Iran for such recruitment for years. Bangladeshi authorities were always aware of such recruitment of Jihadists, but they were ignoring the entire issue, if not cooperation, as Bangladeshi authorities continue to consider Israel as an ‘enemy state’.

Before leaving Dhaka in 2006, the Palestinian ambassador Shahta Zarab even tried to get the publication license of Weekly Blitz [the only anti-Jihadist newspaper in the Muslim world] cancelled. He even met several Bangladeshi officials and policymakers with such request. Shahta told Bangladeshi leaders that, if Weekly Blitz is allowed to continue its publication, “existing relations between Bangladesh and Palestine as well as Dhaka’s relations with a number of Muslim nations will be greatly affected.”

In 2003, right after Weekly Blitz commenced publication, Shahta sent Mazen Al Khatib, a former diplomat with Palestinian embassy in Bangladesh, initially to ‘manage’ the Weekly Blitz editorial team in refraining from writing in favor of Israel. Being failed to achieve such goal, Mazen Khatib even tried to use some local hooligans for putting pressure on Weekly Blitz. When none of such ‘formulas’ worked, this former diplomat told several staffs of this newspaper that, his former boss Yasir Arafat and the Palestinian embassy in Bangladesh “may not tolerate such audacity of any Bangladeshi newspaper against the interest of the people of Palestine”.

Later it was anticipated by many that this Palestinian ambassador might have hands behind my arrest in 2003. It may be mentioned here that, I was arrested, tortured and imprisoned for 17 months. Bangladeshi authorities stopped me at Dhaka International Airport on November 29, 2003 on my way to Tel Aviv for attending a peace conference. Later, Bangladeshi authorities brought sedition, treason and blasphemy charges against me. I am facing the trial since 2003. According to Bangladeshi law, sedition bears capital punishment.

Shahta Zarab is no more in Bangladesh. But, Weekly Blitz still survives in extreme adversity. We have already been able to reach a larger segment of our policymakers and future leaders. There is growing demand every week for copies of the print edition of Weekly Blitz. But, due to economic constraint, we cannot afford to increase our circulation at this junction.

Number of readers on the online edition of Weekly Blitz is also steadily increasing. We already have thousands of people, who are subscribing to the mailing list of this newspaper. Moreover, number of hits on our online edition is several times above than any other periodical in Bangladesh.

Weekly Blitz is the only anti-Jihadist newspaper in the Muslim world. It reaches most of the capitals of the Muslim world. Moreover, due to our relentless effort, Bangladeshi government last year banned Islamist militancy group Hizbut Tahrir. Blitz was the first newspaper in Bangladesh to start publishing reports and editorials on the notorious activities of this group. We also brought the case of Hizbut Towhid, another Islamist militancy group in Bangladesh. This group publishes books and DVDs with instigative messages of waging war against Jews and Christians as well the Western world. Due to editorial published in Weekly Blitz, Bangladeshi government banned a book titled ‘Dajjal’ published by Hizbut Towhid. In this book, this notorious group calls Jews and Christians as enemies of Islam and instigates eliminating Jews and Christians.

Sensing our severe economic constraint, a Bangladeshi businessman with Islamist connection tried to buy this newspaper with few hundred thousand dollars. But, we did not bow down to such desire of this man.

We understand, with such acute economic constraint, we may not be finally able to continue the publication of Weekly Blitz even for a couple of months. But, we would rather die than being sold to any Islamist.

SALAH UDDIN SHOAIB CHOUDHURY
Journalist, Columnist, Author & Peace Activist
Skype: shoaibforyou
Editor & Publisher, Weekly Blitz www.weeklyblitz.net

PEN USA Freedom to Write Award 2005; AJC Moral Courage Award 2006

Key to the Englewood City, NJ, USA [Highest Honor] 2007; Monaco Media Award, 2007

From Shoaib’s online publication Weekly Blitz. To read the full article please go to:
http://www.weeklyblitz.net/733/it-is-crying-need-to-stop-child-labour

By S. M. Mostak Ahmed
May 20, 2010

Child labour is not a new issue at the present world. Child labour is seen on street more frequently in many countries especially in Bangladesh, India and Nepal. The government of Bangladesh or India has not taken proper steps to solve this problem.

Some NGOs are trying to overcome this situation, but they are not able to create opportunities for the child labour. Poverty is an important factor for children labour. More than 200 million children in the world today are involved in child labour. Children work because of their survival and as well as their families. Nearly three-quarters of working children are engaged in the worst forms of child labour including trafficking, armed conflict, slavery, sexual exploitation and hazardous work.

To continue reading please go to:
http://www.weeklyblitz.net/733/it-is-crying-need-to-stop-child-labour

From: http://interfaithstrength.com/AlertTEMP.html

November 12, 2009

By Dr. Richard Benkin

Shoaib called me with news about today’s court proceedings. They could not have taken much more than ten minutes, he said. There were no witnesses, and the prosecution did not even participate really. Judge Bashir Ullah merely informed the defense that the case would be continued to an unspecified date the second week of January 2010.

Throughout his recent US trip, Shoaib made it clear to all of us–supporters and well wishers both inside and outside of the US government–that he “had to get back to Dhaka” for his November 11 court appearance. Yet, the court evidently did not give the matter the same level of seriousness. While several previous court dates seemed to indicate that the government might be looking to end Shoaib’s ordeal, we have returned to the “hurry up and wait”mode that has characterized most of Shoaib’s 73 court appearances.

As I have suggested as recently as last week, stringing out this onerous and admittedly false prosecution continues to punish Shoaib without forcing the government to do so on the basis of law of evidence. Nor does it risk angering Bangladeshi Islamists, who were the force behind this entire prosecution. The Bangladeshi government remains little more than their lackey.

Once again, politics, appeasement, and cowardice trump justice for the government of Bangladesh. It is absolutely unbelieveable that some people actually thought the Awami League government would be different. They should have listened to our warnings.

It looks like the Awami League government expects 2010 to be just like 2009. Shoaib was summoned to the courtroom on January 12, but the government’s witness did not show. Did the court finally drop this case after the government again thumbed its nose at the rule of law? Of course they did not. They merely ignored the government’s latest violation of law and set a new date of February 18, 2010. When will the Awami League realize that actions such as these only confirm to the rest of the civilized world that Bangladesh is not a nation where that supports the rule of law or a nation that wishes to join or partner with them.

What a surprise, the witness did not show at the February, so the judge–who clearly knows more about politics than the law–just re-scheduled for March. Can we really call Bangladesh a nation of laws?

Press Release

Within one month of attack on the office of Weekly Blitz by the thugs belonging to the ruling party in Bangladesh, an Islamist and anti Semitic terrorist based in United Arab Emirates [UAE], gave life threats on Blitz editor Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury.

In an email sent on Thursday, March 26, 2009 2:13 PM the terrorist named Monirul Islam [Phone number +971-50-7515470] wrote, “What would you know about inter-faith dialogue…you are just snake who rattles his tail to the tune of his masters in Vatican/Saudi King/and the Zionist.

“Playing with fire, your days are just numbered I suppose! Remember a great writer [?] Humanyun Azad wrote a book Pak Sarjamin Sad-e bad, and you know how he died in Germany?”

Earlier the same terrorist sent an email to the Weekly Blitz on Wednesday, March 25, 2009, 4:19 PM stating, “I have my doubts that you come from a good Muslim family although your name suggests that you may be a Muslim; but interestingly your activities are such that you are worse than the Jews. I hope you have some Idea about Quran…it is our holy book.”

He continued to write, “What kind of freedom of expression you are talking about? Where did you learn about it? What is your definition of freedom of expression? Do not bullshit…govt. did not make any move to suffocate media….why you are resorting to lies like your sister Sunita Paul?”

It may be mentioned here that, Sunita Paul is a foreign journalist, who regularly writes for Weekly Blitz. Sunita Paul wrote a number of articles after the February 25-26 Massacre inside Bangladesh Rifles headquarters exposing the conspiracy behind brutal murder of officers of Bangladesh Armed Forces.

Monirul Islam further wrote in the email, “Explain to me what is interfaith dialogue? Why you want us to have relation with Jerusalem? Look, do not play with fire.”

The terrorist introduced himself to be a “childhood friend of Barrister Tania Amir”. It may be mentioned here that, Tania Amir is an activist of Bangladesh Awami League, who has several controversies related to her profession, including cheating foreign client with false promises. She also has relations with several notorious political thugs in Bangladesh, mostly belonging to Bangladesh Awami League.

Terrorist Monirul Islam questioned eminent writer Humayun Azad, who died in Germany. Earlier he was attacked by Islamists in Dhaka because of publishing a book titled ‘Pak Sarjamin Sad-e bad’.

The latest life threat from UAE based Islamist terrorist Monirul Islam came just in a month of attack on the office of Weekly Blitz. On February 22, 2009, 35-40 armed terrorists belonging to the ruling party, led by Ruhul Amin and co-led by Shamim from DGFI [Directorate General of Forces Intelligence] attacked the office of Blitz newspaper. They instructed the caretaker named Anwar of the commercial center named Skylark Point [where the Blitz office is located] to lock the outside gate and continued their notorious actions in the broad day light for hours in presence of members of law enforcing and various intelligence agencies.

Despite lodging of a case more than 5 days back [Case No. 65, under section 143, 448, 323, 342, 384, 380, 427 and 506], members of law enforcing agencies in Bangladesh are showing extreme reluctance in investigating the case. Investigation officer [IO] of the case is putting indirect suggestions on the Weekly Blitz editor for withdrawing the complaint, instead of investigating the matter and taking any legal steps against the perpetrators. The IO said they have specific instruction of neither investigating the case nor arresting anyone as the accused are from the ruling party.

By: Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury

Armed hooligans chased the car of Dhaka’s front ranking editor, Nurul Kabir, couple of days back and tried to stop the vehicle at a highway connecting the international airport. What was the motive behind? Many people may argue the matter as mere actions of some criminals, but, my own experience says something else. This was a clean case of state patronized terror!

Now, let me bring the case of attack on me and my newspaper office 14 days back. A group of thugs claiming to be ruling party activists being co-led by one Shamim, claiming to be an officer of DGFI [Forces Intelligence], attacked my office on February 22, 2009 at 10:00 am in the morning in broad-day-light. They assaulted me and snatched my laptop computer and smashed an autographed portrait of US Congressman Mark Steven Kirk, which was on display in my chamber. With this looted laptop, I have lost two extremely valuable manuscripts of my books, one titled ‘Inside Madrassa’ and another - ‘Reportage’.

Inside Madrassa is a book detailing Jihadist training in Madrassa, Wahabbi indoctrination and brainwashing of Muslim people in killing Jews and Christians. I had to work almost 4 years to collect various facts and documents for this book.

Why the attackers were particularly angry with the portrait of US Congressman? Why they looted my laptop, while there had been many other valuable items in my office? The reply is possibly understandable by my readers.

I lodged a case on the same day with Paltan Police Station after the incident. Police is extremely reluctant in taking any action in this regard. Investigation officer of the case told me that, some influential figures in the government are involved behind this incident which stops them from proceeding with any actions.

He said, “The matter is a result of deep rooted preparation”.

Now, let me bring here, one more angle of the entire notoriety. I brought the matter of Shamim, who claimed to be an officer of DGFI. Unofficially I was told that, DGFI did not send anyone to my office for attack, nor there any officer in that name. It may be mentioned here that, Shamim claimed himself to be an officer of DGFI not only while assaulting me but he made this claim even in presence of some officers of Paltan Police Station and other intelligence agencies. None ever dared to challenge this.

It should also be mentioned here that, almost the entire episode of terrorist actions in my office took place in presence of police from Paltan Police Station, and none of the members of the law enforcing agencies ever challenged such notoriety.

Written requests were sent to DGFI to investigate the case of Shamim. But, surprisingly, there is complete silence! Why? Any special reason, which I may have not been able to realize yet? Was Shamim in fact an officer of DGFI sent to my office to assists the attackers in their illegal actions? Why the Forces Intelligence is showing reluctance in investigating this extremely sensitive issue?

Fourteen days have already passed. There is neither any action from the police in arresting the perpetrators, nor there is any initiative from DGFI in finding out the ‘Shamim’ mystery. By now, I am having a sense of being a subject of state patronized terror. Bangladesh government must be treating me as a friend of Jews and Christians and an ‘enemy of the country’ for confronting radical Islam. In such case, shall I raise a plain question to the government as to whether we are now entering the era of being Talibalized? Someone in the government and DGFI must address this issue and come with a reasonable reply. Otherwise, we shall start believing, every peace loving human being in this country are hostage in the hands of some bad elements, having ‘blessings’ from the power quarters.