'Dhaka-Washington working closely to eliminate extremism'

Bangladesh is closely working with the United States, its neighbors and other friendly countries to root out terrorism and violent extremism from Bangladesh and beyond, Bangladesh Ambassador to US M Ziauddin has said.

 

"The government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has shown 'zero tolerance' against all forms of terrorism and extremism," he said during his separate meetings with US Congressman Joseph Crowley and Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard at their offices in the Capitol Hill on Wednesday, reports BSS.

 

Crowley is the Co-Chair of the Bangladesh Caucus in the US Congress and Gabbard is the member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC) and Sub Committee on Asia and the Pacific.

 

During the meetings, Ziauddin discussed issues relating to bilateral and mutual interests when he exchanged views to contain terrorism and violent extremism, according to a message received here today.

 

The ambassador referred to the condolence letter of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina addressed to President Obama during the meeting with Congressman Crowley when he expressed his deep condolence on the recent carnage in a night club in Orlando, Florida. 

 

He also briefed Crowley on the measures taken by the Bangladesh government on the recent killings of bloggers and atheists by the extremist groups.

 

The Ambassador also briefed him about the brutal killing of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his family members in 1975 and reiterated Bangladesh government's request to extradite the killers of Bangabandhu who are now hiding in the USA.

 

During the meeting with Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, both exchanged views on terrorism and extremism. The Ambassador added that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina herself is a victim of terrorist acts. 

 

"Due to her own tragic experience she has a firm mindset against extremism and terrorism," Ziauddin added.

 

He said that the present government is persistently working on education and women empowerment to weed-out the roots of extremism and terrorism from Bangladesh.

 

The ambassador said that the government has taken initiatives to introduce modern education for the Madrasa students so that they can discard the religious extremism and can adapt with the mainstream society.

 

He informed that 90% of the RMG workers in Bangladesh are women. These women have stepped out of their homes and are contributing to poverty alleviation, literacy, and above all towards weakening extremism and reinforcing government's efforts to eliminate extremism. 

 

Women are transforming the society into a progressive one, which is a solution for ridding the country from all forms of extremism and radicalization, he added.

 

The ambassador urged the US government to consider duty-free quota free access of the Bangladeshi products (particularly RMG) to the US market, which would lead to more women working in the RMG sector and help in containing and eventually eliminating extremism from the country.

 

Taking careful note of the briefings by the Ambassador, Congressman Crowley said that he would look into the issues.

 

Congresswoman Gabbard also thanked the Ambassador for the briefing on Bangladesh.

 

Toufique Hasan, Counsellor (Political) of the Embassy accompanied the ambassador during the meetings, the message added.