Leading Bangladeshi poet, writer, and political philosopher Farhad Mazhar has raised worries about the ties between Bangladesh’s radical Islamist party, Jamaat-e-Islami, and the United States. Mazhar, speaking at a discussion in Dhaka, highlighted the concerning nature of the reported efforts by the US to establish a friendship with Jamaat. He emphasized the interconnectedness of political parties in Bangladesh with the US, both directly and indirectly.
Mazhar pointed out that after the mass protests in August 2024, the international community viewed the events as a regime change favoring the United States. He stressed the geopolitical influence of the US, noting that the removal of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was inevitable. Mazhar underscored the need for Bangladesh to focus on building a new state amidst global power dynamics, expressing concerns about the welfare of the country’s population in a volatile world.
Expressing further apprehension, Mazhar questioned the lack of discourse on “American imperialism” and highlighted Jamaat’s alignment with US policies, particularly regarding international interventions. He warned that the perceived relationship between Jamaat and the US could have significant implications, signaling a dangerous trend. Mazhar also addressed the water crisis in Bangladesh, attributing it to governmental mismanagement, environmental degradation, and exploitative practices.
