Several international Islamic NGOs from Turkey, Pakistan, and the Middle East have set up “sanctuaries” in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, to address the Rohingya refugee crisis. Concerns have been raised about these NGOs allegedly spreading extremism among the Rohingya community. The Bangladeshi newspaper ‘Sonar Bangla’ reported that these organizations view the Cox’s Bazar-Bandarban region as their independent territory.
Officials from senior military intelligence agencies of Pakistan and Turkey reportedly conducted on-site surveys during the former Muhammad-led Yunus administration. The report highlighted that various international actors are developing strategies focused on the region. The current Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) government, led by Tarique Rahman, is said to be following a similar path as the previous administration.
According to the report, there is a belief that signing a military assistance agreement with Turkey could significantly enhance Bangladesh’s military capabilities against India. Journalists and NGO workers in Cox’s Bazar expressed concerns about the increasing influence of Pak-Turkey in the region. The report also mentioned that the growing Rohingya population poses a significant threat to local Bangladeshis, with Bengalis becoming a minority in some Cox’s Bazar areas.
Hamidul Haque Chowdhury, chairman of the Rohingya Repatriation Struggle Committee, emphasized the need for stricter monitoring of domestic and foreign NGOs’ activities. Allegations were made against various NGOs, including Shura, Iqra, Asiyab, Islamic Relief, and others, for engaging in what was described as “malicious activities.” SKB was identified as one of the most active organizations in the Rohingya camps, with ties to former leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Chhatra Shibir.
During the previous Awami League government, 41 organizations were reportedly banned from the NGO Bureau based on intelligence agency recommendations. However, these banned NGOs allegedly resumed their activities during the Yunus government.
