Root out zealots for secularism

Eminent citizens yesterday called upon community-based organisations around the country to gather strength to establish secularism and communal harmony by wiping out religious fanatics.

"Those attacking people from behind are a bunch of cowards. We will take them head-on," said Khondkar Ibrahim Khaled, a former Bangladesh Bank deputy governor. The citizens were addressing a "motivational session" of a two-day National Convention of Community Based Organisations arranged by Oxfam and its associate organisations in the capital's Krishibid Institution Bangladesh.

Over 500 people, mostly women, participated in the convention aiming for the development of poor and marginalised people.

Khondkar opined that the issue of giving due value to the labour put in by women should be addressed and urged people to stand beside their neighbours to give them confidence.

Ain o Salish Kendra Executive Director Sultana Kamal appreciated the activities of community-based organisations. Pointing at the recent killings and attacks, she said, "Some people want to loot Bangladesh. We are 16 crore people and much bigger in number than them. But we are not saying anything? Is this right?"

"We will not sit silent. Let the miscreants understand that Bangladesh's soil is invincible," she said, adding that  religious extremists would not be allowed to go scot-free that easily.

ICT expert Mostafa Jabbar suggested marginalised people to take up everything as a challenge.

Ayesha Khanam, president of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, said women should enjoy equal rights as men in every sector. "The freedom of women is the freedom of humans," she said, adding that torture upon women faded all achievement.

Presiding over the session, Manusher Jonno Foundation Executive Director Shaheen Anam said, "Bangladesh is being acclaimed because of your (women) works. I believe you will go forward using your courage and intellect."