Sampriti Bangladesh launches effort to promote secularism to overcome divides

Sampriti Bangladesh, a new platform for prominent citizens, has launched an effort to overcome divides in society by promoting secular ideals.

The organisation began its journey on Saturday with an inaugural event at the National Museum, attended by people of all classes, creeds and walks of life.

The event was the culmination of a long-standing vision to bring together representatives from various religious backgrounds and eminent members of civil society under one banner.

“We want to return to the Liberation War ideal of secularism,” said cultural personality Pijush Bandyopadhyay, who is serving as the organisation’s convener.

“By returning to that ideal, we will be able to build a secular Bangladesh—one where everyone is equal and where no-one faces persecution.”

“We may have to face many setbacks. We must be prepared. We know that most of the people of our country are against communalism and are in favour of equality. Now we must stand united. If you stand with us, we will be victorious.”

There are plans to form committees at the district and upazila levels, and a central committee will direct the organisation’s overall actions, he said.

“We want people to build close connections through their secular ideals,” Bandyopadhyay told bdnews24.com. “Today we have inaugurated our organisation. We will now organise various programmes, including a rally, until December.”

In his speech via video conference, prominent academic Prof Anisuzzaman said: “Bangladesh is a nation of communal harmony. People of various ethnicities and religions have lived in peace for thousands of years. Our country is on a path to prosperity.”

“There are divisions. There is conflict. Communal harmony has deteriorated. Despite this we must move ahead towards a future where we have harmony.”

Prof Anisuzzaman highlighted the basic principle of secularism as a part of the 1971 independence movement and its place in the 1972 constitution.

The assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman led to a period when these ideals diminished, but the people were eventually able to restore communal harmony, he said.

“So I request everyone gathered here today to hold on to those ideals we have from our history, those ideals from 1971, those ideals of our constitution, as we move along the path to progress.”

Former DUCSU President Mahfuza Khanam said: “People of all religions have the same rights. Despite our differences of faith, or perhaps our lack of faith, we will come together and build Bangladesh into a prosperous and civilised nation.

Sampriti Bangladesh launches an effort to promote secularism and religious harmony, at a ceremony at the National Museum Auditorium in Dhaka on Saturday. Photo: Asif Mahmud Ove

No democratic country can move forward without secularism and there must not be any relations between religion and the state in a democracy, Prof Serajul Islam Choudhury said.

The capitalist structure of the society has moved Bangladesh far from these features of democracy, he said.

“We are living in a sick society now. Murders and rapes, even of children, are happening regularly,” Prof Choudhury said.

Prof Syed Anwar Hossain also pitched for secularism.

A state religion and secularism cannot stay together in the constitution, he said. “Bangladesh lost its way from where it was after independence.”

“Bangabandhu had not spoken about state religion,” he said.   

Three things are dividing the people now—religion, politics and self-interest. “We must take effective steps to remove this division. We must bring the country back into its orbit by deeds, not words.”

Islamic Foundation Director General Shameem Mohammad Afzal said the constitution made in 1972 reflected the Charter of Madinah.

“The rights of people from all religions were reserved in it,” he said adding Jamaat-e-Islami founder Syed Abul A'la Maududi, the Muslim Brotherhood of Egypt, and Zakir Naik misinterpreted Islam.

Prof AK Azad Chowdhury, UGC Chairman Prof Abdul Mannan, former Dhaka University Vice Chancellor AAMS Arefin Siddique, writer and Shahjalal University of Science and Technology Prof Muhammed Zafar Iqbal, Liberation War Museum trustee Sarwar Ali, journalist Abed Khan, National Press Club President Shafiqur Rahman and the organisation’s Secretary Mamun Al Mahtab also spoke at the event.

Buddhist religious leader Suddhananda Mahathero, Ramkrishna Mission General Secretary Swami Guru Sevananda, Christian Association President Nirmal Rosario and ISKCON representative Sukhil Das also delivered speeches.