Islamic extremism won't return to Bangladesh: CA tells The Economist
"These are very enthusiastic young people. They are very neutral about religion. They want to create a new Bangladesh," Yunus says
Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has said there is no scope for Islamic extremism to return to Bangladesh following the student-led uprising.
"These are very enthusiastic young people. They are very neutral about religion. They want to create a new Bangladesh," Yunus said in an interview with British magazine The Economist, the video of which was published on its website yesterday.
Referring to Bangladesh earning the title of The Economist's Country of the Year, foreign editor Patrick Foulis congratulated Yunus.
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In response, Yunus said, "We are delighted. We feel very proud. We feel we have really made a big change because of the student uprising that took place. From then on, we are saying we are creating a new Bangladesh."
The interviewer said revolutions sometimes turn bad and people outside of Bangladesh have a number of worries. Both American and Indian officials warn that there is some risk of Islamic extremism coming back in Bangladesh. He then asked how the CA could reassure people that the problem won't return.
In response, the chief adviser said, "I can assure you that's not taking place at all."
The chief adviser said the July uprising was an example of how powerful the young generation is.
"Let's pay attention to the young people, particularly the young girls. The young girls played a very important role in the Bangladesh uprising. Just like any other young person in the country, they were also the frontliners."
He urged all to empower the youth by ensuring that their dreams are fulfilled.
Noting that the youth of Bangladesh do not fall behind in terms of qualifications, Yunus said that three among those who led the uprising have been included in the cabinet of the interim government. "They are doing an excellent job."
Asked what he plans to do after the national election, Yunus said, "I was actually taken away from my job. I was forced into this work [as the chief adviser]. I was doing my job and enjoying it. That is why I was in Paris…I was dragged out of Paris to do something else. So, I'll be happy to go back to the work that I always did, and enjoyed [throughout my life]. And young people love it. So, I'll go back to that team and that movement that I tried to generate around the world."
