As Bangladesh Reinvents Itself, Islamist Hard-Liners See an Opening - The New York Times

Rise of Islamist Extremism in Bangladesh

The article discusses the growing influence of Islamist extremists in Bangladesh following the overthrow of its authoritarian leader. These groups are actively working to establish a more fundamentalist state, advocating for stricter religious laws and punishments.

Key Actions by Extremists

• Restricting women's freedoms, such as banning young women from playing soccer.
• Forcing police to release a man who harassed a woman for not covering her hair.
• Threatening to carry out executions if the government doesn't impose the death penalty for disrespecting Islam.
• Holding large marches demanding an Islamic caliphate.

These actions indicate a significant shift towards religious hardline stances within the country.

Constitutional Changes

Officials involved in constitutional amendments acknowledge the possibility of replacing secularism with pluralism, reflecting a potential move towards a more religiously defined national identity.

International Awareness

The article highlights the relative lack of international attention on this growing trend of Islamist extremism within Bangladesh.