A SMALL BODY OF DETER- MINED SPIRITS FIRED BY AN QUOTE UNQUENCHABLE FAITH IN OF THE THEIR MISSION CAN ALTER DAY THE COURSE OF HISTORY. THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 2019 MAHATMA GANDHI

Bangladesh’s journey of hope under the leadership of The country’s vibrant leadership is leaving no stone unturned to achieve goals of economic development and social progress

radical Islam. Members of her family became filthily wealthy through corruption, while her own younger brother Maj (Re- tired) Sayeed Iskander estab - lished a business company with SALAH UDDIN SHOAIB CHOUDHURY Khaleda’s sons and made tonnes of money not only through cor- xactly eleven years back, ruption but also by taking hun- in the eyes of the inter - dreds of millions of Taka from Enational community, the banks. During those two ten- Bangladesh was seen as a poor, ures of BNP, Sayeed Iskander corruption-plagued struggling and Tarique Rahman emerged as nation. Ruling elites were busy the mightiest figures in Bangla- in rampant loot of public wealth desh. They were making money while former Prime Minister by receiving bribes and kick - ’s son was behav - backs from each of the purchase ing like a mafia king, who had contracts, while they did not formed a band of culprits and hesitate in taking part in some criminals not only to help him in extremely nasty business – such robbing off hundreds of millions as dealing in drugs and money of dollars through numerous laundering. forms of crimes and corruption For years, the Bangladesh Na- but also in treating the people tionalist Party was having China of this country as slaves of his as its best friend. But, soon after desire. Thanks to the popular it came to power for the sec - masses of the country for giving ond term in 2001, BNP tried to a landslide victory to Bangladesh back-stab China by letting Tai- under the leader- wan open its economic office in ship of Shaikh Hasina during the Bangladesh, which clearly went an area known as Cox’s Bazaar. was sent to prison on February As Prime Minister Sheikh the country from becoming a 2008-general election. Should against Beijing. Furthermore, Justifying naming of the bridge, 18, 2018, directly from the trial Hasina remains committed rogue nation. After ten years, it not happen, pro-Islamist and Khaleda Zia had no problem Salauddin Ahmed, state minister court, her son Tarique Rahman Bangladesh now has emerged anti-Semitic Bangladesh Nation- in letting the Islamist forces for communication told French remains as an absconder. It was in the BRI initiatives, it is into one of the fastest growing alist Party (BNP) and its political hold rallies and processions in news agency AFP, “I named the learnt from media reports that the responsibility of China economies in the world. Mas- darling Jamaat e Islami Bangla- various cities and towns in the bridge Hizbollah because of our Tarique Rahman, his wife and to help Bangladesh in sive infrastructural develop - desh (JIB) would already have country – chant anti-America love for the Lebanese resistance daughter had sought political smoothly implementing the ment works have been continu- turned this country into another and anti-Israel slogan and most group.” asylum in the United Kingdom infrastructural projects. ing, while by 2030, Bangladesh Afghanistan – if not even worst! disturbingly – burn American “Hizbollah is the only group and surrendered their Bangla- economy is all set to emerge as Founder of BNP, Maj Gen and Israeli flags in broad-day- which is fighting Israel and the deshi passport. Sitting in Lon- the strongest economy in South was a notorious- light. Law enforcing agencies bridge is named after the group don, Tarique has been plotting Asia. Sheikh Hasina has also ly radical Muslim with extreme did not interrupt such notoriety as a mark of honour,” he added. and coordinating terrorist ac- ensured the rule of law and by anti-Semitic mindset. Few of of those Islamists as they too The United States has iden - tivities in Bangladesh. He played showing zero tolerance towards his top allies were Saddam Hus- knew, the hearts of the ruling tified Hizbollah as a terrorist key-role behind series of arson militancy and terrorism. sain and Muammar Al Gaddafi. elites were filled with anti- US group, meaning, BNP has a track attacks, the murder of innocent Although she is yet to attain From the list of his allies, it can and anti-Semitic poison. record of not only of appeasing people, rape of Hindus and Bud- success in combating corruption be easily understood, Zia was At the request of Yaseer Ara- terrorists and militants but also dhists, vandalising of public and the culture of nepotism. an anti-West and fully Islamist fat, BNP’s founding father Maj of encouraging such notoriety. and private properties during Bangladesh Prime Minister individual, who was having the Gen Zia had sent hundreds of After postponement and ob- January-April, 2014. During the ties nor had ever warned him of Sheikh Hasina is one of the most dream of turning Bangladesh Bangladeshis to ‘Palestine’ to struction of trials into a number subsequent years, Tarique had consequences of using British prominent partners in Chinese into an Islamic republic. take part in the war against the of corruption cases, in 2018, a hands behinds several terror- soil for terror-plotting. President Xi Jinping’s signa - Following the death of Zia, Jewish State – kill Jews and court in sentenced Khale- ist activities, including plots of Ever since Sheikh Hasina be- ture Belt and Road Initiative his wife Khaleda Zia came to Christians. da Zia and her son with rigorous assassinating Prime Minister came Prime Minister in 2009, (BRI) programme. While sev - power twice – in 1991 and 2001 – In 2003, the then BNP govern- imprisonment in just one cor- Sheikh Hasina and abducting she had dedicated rescuing eral countries that have earlier and during each of her tenures, ment named a bridge after the ruption case, while several cases her only son, Sajeeb Wajed Joy. Bangladesh’s economy from agreed to Belt and Road Initi - she had shown Bangladesh the notorious jihadist group Hiz - already are under trial. Her son, Despite such extreme notori- mere bankruptcy. She also had ative projects had suspended, ugliest example of state-pat - bollah. The bridge is located in Tarique Rahman faces convic- ety of Tarique Rahman, British focused on combating radical scaled back or terminated it, ronised corruption, nepotism the southern part of Bangladesh, tion in a number of criminal authorities neither had initiated Islam and militancy, which was Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and of course appeasing of spanning the Batakhali River in cases as well. Although Khaleda any investigation into his activi- extremely essential for saving remains firm on her commit -

Building connections through cultural exchange

professional relationships be- preciation. The success of these tween the American and Bahraini programs can often be attrib - people. One way that we work uted to the keen support of the to expand such relationships is Bahrain Authority for Culture through cultural exchange pro- and Antiquities (BACA), whose grams. Cultural exchange fosters partnership we very much ap - JUSTIN SIBERELL mutual understanding and shows preciate. the very best of what each society In fact, from June 26-28 an- he ties between the Unit- has to offer. other very exciting cultural out- ed States and Bahrain The US Embassy in Manama ar- reach program will begin. The Tare strong and deep. Our ranges dozens of exchanges each “Step Afrika” dance group will shared commitment to regional year, bringing artists, speakers, arrive from the US to participate security and economic prosperity and performance groups to Bah- in BACA’s Summer Festival. This has been a lynchpin for the devel- rain to highlight unique aspects talented group blends the per- opment of our two societies. In of American culture – beyond cussive dance styles historically 2018, our bilateral trade in goods what Hollywood screens project embraced by African-American exceeded $3 billion dollars, a new and entertainment magazines social clubs in the US with tra- record and a tangible representa- highlight. Over the long arc of ditional African dancing, while tion of the benefits of our partner- the US-Bahrain relationship, cul- at the same time incorporating ship. Yet, the most meaningful tural and educational exchange music, storytelling, and audi - link between us is the friendship programs have created common ence participation. It makes for we enjoy through personal and understanding and a mutual ap- a uniquely American experience

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