Speakers at a conference on Sunday underlined the need to establish the ideology of Prophet Mohammed (SM) in every sphere of life.They termed Prophet Mohammed (SM) as the best man ever, saying that those who could fall in his love are the real believers.Bangladesh Ashikane Awlia Parishad organised the Rahmatullil Alamin Conference at Jatiya Press Club to mark the Eid-e-Miladunnabi, the day of birth and demise of prophet.Founder president of the organisation and Pir of Sureshwar Darbar Sharif Alhaj Syed Shah Sufi Belal Noori Al Sureshwari presided over  the conference while nuclear scientist Prof Dr M Shamsher Ali spoke in the function as the chief guest.Moderated by senior vice president of Ashikane Awlia Parishad and Sazzadanshin of Sureswar Darbar Sharif Syed Shah Sufi Muktadir Al Noori, the conference was addressed by vice chancellor of Bangladesh University Prof Dr Anisuzzaman, former education secretary Nazrul Islam Khan, former chairman of Madrasha Education Board Prof Dr Md Abu Bakar Siddique, director of Bangla Academy Mufti Dr Md Harun Or Rashid and founder president of Worldwide Human Rights Foundation Prof Dr Emdadul Haque Khan addressed the function as the special guests. Read: Holy Eid-e-Miladunnabi observed Speaking as the chief  guest, Prof Shamsher Mobin said Muslims are not communal and cannot be communal.He mentioned that the Holy Quran is the book of  guidance for the entire mankind and the Prophet (SM) is the mercy of the whole world.Pir of Sureshwar Darbar Sharif Alhaj Syed Shah Sufi Belal Noori Al Sureshwari said, "Love and affection for the Prophet is true faith. Those who love the Prophet are true Muslims."He said that some scholars are reluctant to observe the Eid-e-Miladunnabi (SM) and claim that Miladunnabi did not exist during the era of the Prophet (SM) and his companions (sahabas) - this is not correct. Rather, prophet Mohammed (SM) celebrated the day by fasting.

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has said Bangladesh genocide committed in 1971 by the Pakistani military is one of the most heinous crimes in human history and regretted that the Bangladesh genocide is yet to be recognised by the international community to the extent the genocide warrants. “We do not know of another instance of such barbarism of such intensity and mayhem,” Momen said while speaking at a virtual seminar as the chief guest. The Foreign Minister said on 25 March 1971 the Pakistan junta undertook the cruel and enormous mayhem of innocent civilian people of Bangladesh in order to suppress the nation's democratic aspirations by sheer force of fear and terror. He informed that Bangladesh declared 25 March as the Genocide Day and Bangladesh is working for getting the date recognized as the International Genocide Day by all the countries in the world. Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momenn said 1971 has been the most significant year in the history of Bangladesh. In one hand, Bangladesh achieved her independence in this very year, on the other hand, the nation experienced the ugliest chapter of brutality, atrocities, indiscriminate killing, raping, looting, and arson to achieve independence, he said, adding that the world witnessed genocide within three decades of the Second World War. Read: Momen in NY: No specific info given by US on Rab sanctions The High Commission for Bangladesh in Canada and the Bangabandhu Centre for Bangladesh Studies (BCBS) in Canada, Liberation War Museum, Bangladesh, Genocide Studies Centre, University of Dhaka, Refugees Resilience Centre and Rotary Club Canada jointly organized the day-long seminar on remembering and recognition of the case of Bangladesh Genocide on 1971 at the Human Rights Museum, Winipeg, Canada on September 21. High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Canada and the Chief Patron of the BCBS in Canada Dr Khalilur Rahman and Dr Kawser Ahmed, Chief Coordinator of the BCBS, Canada, delivered introductory remarks. Dr. Gregory Stanton of Genocide Watch delivered the keynote speech. David C Newman, Rotarian and Peace-Builder and Canadian Patron of the BCBS, Dr. James Waller, Cohen Professor of the Holocaust and Genocide Studies of Keene State College, New Hampshire, USA, Dr. Adam Muller, Professor and Director of Peace and Conflict Studies, University of Manitoba, spoke at the seminar. In addition, Dr. John Adam of University of British Colombia, Vancouver, Canada, gave a verbal illustration of the Bangladesh Genocide which pictures the heinous crimes committed in Bangladesh in 1971. Joining virtually, Mofidul Hoque, Trustee, Liberation War Museum of Bangladesh, and Director of Centre for the Study of Genocide and Justice explained the case of genocide in Bangladesh in 1971. His statement was followed by presentations by post-genocide generation researchers. Professor Dr Imtiaz Ahmed, Director of Center for Genocide Studies, University of Dhaka, presented a paper delineating the Bangladesh genocide. Professor Ahmed said that the Bangladesh genocide fulfills all criteria declared by the UN to get the global recognition. Some members of the victim families of the Genocide also spoke at the Seminar. Professor Dr. Nuzhat Chowdhury described the abduction of her father Dr Alim Chowdhury by collaborators of the Pakistan military, the Rajakars, and his subsequent brutal killing just before the independence of Bangladesh. Read: Myanmar’s shelling inside Bangladesh “unintentional mistake”, Momen says in NY She explained the international politics behind the dilemma of getting Bangladesh Genocide recognised and urged for end to such realpolitik. Dr Towheed Reza Noor, son of Sirajuddin Hossain, described his father's abduction and killing. Martyr Mr. Sirajuddin Hossain was a prominent journalist. He described how the Bengali intellectuals were made victim of genocide committed by Pakistani military. Asif Muneir, son of Professor Munir Chowdhury, gave the description of his father's abduction and killing during the Bangladesh Genocide of 1971 by the collaborators of Pakistan military, Rajakar, Al Badr and Al Shams.

To maintain regional peace and stability, the Armies of twenty-four countries have expressed solidarity to work together. The 46th Indo-Pacific Armies Management Seminar (IPAMS) - 2022 co-hosted by the Bangladesh Army and US Army Pacific (USARPAC) has come to an end with participants expressing optimism for continued peace and stability in the region. Delegates from 24 countries headed by senior military leaders attended the seminar held at a city hotel, which was scheduled from September 12-15, said a press release of Inter Services Public Relation (ISPR), signed by its Assistant Director Rashedul Alam Khan on Friday. “Twenty-four nations came together to share ideas, build relationships, and even express concerns about the security and prosperity of the world’s most consequential region, sending a powerful message of unity and collective commitment,” U.S. Army Pacific’s Gen. Charles A. Flynn told a closing ceremony.

The four-day 46th Indo-Pacific Army Management Seminar (IPAMS) 2022, hosted by Bangladesh Army and US Army Pacific, will begin at a Dhaka hotel Monday. The IPAMS is one of the preeminent army engagements that provide a forum for senior military leaderships from the Indo-Pacific regional land forces to exchange views and ideas on peace and stability.   The objective of the 46th edition of the seminar is to promote peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific through mutual understanding, dialogue, and friendship. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the seminar as the chief guest using an online platform, according to the Inter Service Public Relations (ISPR) Directorate. Read: Bangladesh, US to host seminar for senior military officers to promote peace, stability The 46th edition of IPAMS sessions will focus on "robust peacekeeping," "women empowerment," and "land power in regional cooperation." Delegates from 26 countries, headed by senior military leaders, will join the seminar, which will end on September 15. The junior and non-commissioned officers from the participating countries will attend a session on leadership challenges. The delegates will have the opportunity to visit one of the camps of forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals in Cox's Bazar. The IPAMS participation has grown from nine nations at the first conference held in Honolulu, Hawaii, in 1977, to 31 nations in South Korea's Seoul in 2017. Bangladesh is co-hosting the seminar for the third time. Previously Bangladesh co-hosted the event in 1993 and 2014.

Al-Arafah Islami Bank Limited (AIBL) on Tuesday organized a seminar titled 'Bangabandhu and Bangladesh' marking the 47th Death Anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The event was presided by Managing Director and CEO Farman R. Chowdhury while Director Kh. Mesbah Uddin Ahmed was present, according to a press release. Read: AIBL signs agreement with Padma Diagnostic Chairman of the Bank Alhajj Salim Rahman was present as the chief guest on the occasion. Former Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University AAMS Arefin Siddique discussed as key speaker on the occasion. Among others, Deputy Managing Directors and Senior Executives of the Bank participated in  the seminar.

A seminar here on Sunday heard complaints that excessive tax and customs harassment of businesspeople are obstructing the growth of Bangladesh’s foreign trade and hurting businesses. The seminar, organized by Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) at its auditorium, reviewed the economy of Bangladesh during the second quarter of the January-June 2022 from the perspective of the private sector. DCCI President Rizwan Rahman gave a presentation on the topic in the seminar. Mohammad Hatem, executive president of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), said the honest businesses involved in export and import of goods and services are mostly harassed at customs and National Board of Revenue. Hatem said they face a number of hurdles in doing honest business. “These are our main obstacles,” he noted. Read: Tackling inflation to protect people’s purchasing power key challenge: DCCI  "We need to call Chattogram Customs, Dhaka Customs and the Commissioner of North-South Customs almost every day to rescue the businesspeople from harassment. Transports and goods are detained on various pretexts. Why do they do it? It’s irritating." He also said customs and NBR instead should pursue the corrupt businesses and detect those who commit crimes. Shamsul Alam, state minister for planning, spoke as the chief guest, while former FBCCI president Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin was the special guest.

Speakers at a seminar, organised by FBCCI, the country's apex chamber body, blamed the lack of initiative in local gas exploration for the current energy crisis. “Despite huge potentials, why have we failed to explore our local gas? We have to find out the answer”, said Dr. Badrul Imam, eminent energy expert and professor of geology department at Dhaka University, told the event.     Bangladesh has the highest success rate like 3:1 in drilling for gas while the Indian average is 10:1, he added.    Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) president Jashim Uddin moderated the seminar titled: “Energy Security for Sustainable Development of the Industrial Sector” held at the organisation’s auditorium in the city.   Prime Minister’s Energy Advisor Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, who addressed the function from a virtual platform, said the government is giving highest priority to agriculture and industry in rationing the gas and electricity. “We all have to sacrifice to sustain our agriculture and industry. We have to understand the geopolitics to understand the crisis”, he said. Responding to some speakers' call for local coal extraction, he said this is not feasible as there is a huge aquifer coming from the Himalayas under the coal mine. “If we destroy this aquifer, it will have a major impact on our ecology”, he added.      Read: National Committee identifies 9 reasons for current power crisis Ahmad Kaikaus, principal Secretary to the prime minister, said he cannot give any assurance on how soon  the existing energy crisis will end. “I don’t have anything to assure you… the current crisis is not locally grown. We can only make an adjustment in order to resolve your problem”, he told the seminar. He criticised the environmentalists for their silence over the move of Germany to re-open their coal-fired power plants. “If we take any move on coal-fired power plants, they become vocal. But in Germany’s case they are mum”, he observed.     Eminent energy expert and former professor of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) Dr Ijaz Hossain made a keynote presentation at the seminar while it was addressed, among others, FBCCI Vice president and president of Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) by Mohammad Ali Khokon, FBCCI standing committee chairman on power and energy Humayun Rashid, Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) president Md. Saiful Islam, president, former additional secretary of the Power Division Siddique  Zobair and president of Bangladesh Shop Owners Association Helal Uddin. In his presentation Dr Ijaz said that the country’s gas reserve is depleting fast. The industry sector has to pay Tk 28 per cubic meter by 2030 as gas price when the country has to import 50 per cent of the gas to meet the local demand. Read: Countrywide load-shedding increases due to gas shortage in power plants “Currently the industry is paying Tk 12 per cubic meter of gas when local gas share is 80 per cent and import is 20 per cent”, he added. Mohammad Ali Khokon said that about 10 per cent of the country’s total gas, which is equivalent to 300 mmcfd, is being pilfered as system loss.   “If such system loss is checked, the country would not need to import gas from abroad”, he added.  

The German ambassador to Bangladesh, Achim Tröster, has stated that Germany is creating a special kind of climate development partnership with Bangladesh to assist in mitigating the looming threat of climate change. He made this statement while giving a speech at a seminar titled “Celebrating 50 Years of German – Bangladesh Diplomatic Relations”. The seminar was hosted by the Centre for Governance Studies (CGS) and took place on 28 March at the Six Season Hotel, Dhaka. On this day, 50 years ago, East Germany recognised the independence of Bangladesh, becoming the first European nation to recognise Bangladesh as an independent nation. To commemorate the occasion, CGS, in partnership with Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) Bangladesh, organised the event where the ambassador was a guest of honour. The other guest of honour was Lt. Col. Muhammad Faruk Khan (Retd.) MP, Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and former Minister. He made a brief statement emphasising the need for further collaboration between Bangladesh and Germany. Felix Kolbitz, Resident Representative, Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Bangladesh, and Dr Manjur A Chowdhury, Chairman, Centre for Governance Studies (CGS), gave their opening remarks in the program. The keynote speech for the event was presented by Md Touhid Hossain, former Foreign Secretary of the Government of Bangladesh. The Keynote paper was titled “Prospects and Challenges in Bangladesh’s Relationship with Germany and the European Union on its 50th Anniversary of Independence.”

Bangladesh celebrated ‘World Hydrography Day’ on Monday with an aim to increase public awareness on the importance of hydrography in our lives.  This year the theme of the day is ‘One Hundred Years of International Cooperation in Hydrography’. To commemorate the World Hydrography Day, Bangladesh Navy Chief Hydrographer arranged a Video Teleconference (VTC), where a large number of national  hydrographers and high officials from various ministries, hydrographic and maritime  organizations, offices, ports, universities, maritime research and training institutes took part. Chattogram area commander, Rear Admiral M Mozammel Haque graced the occasion  as Chief Guest, says a Inter Service Public relations (ISPR)Press release.  The hydrographers and other personnel participated in the VTC, discussed on  the hydrographic related issues. They also discussed how international, regional and sub- regional cooperation of hydrographic surveying and nautical charting have led up-to-date charts  and ENCs.  READ: KOICA holds seminar on road maintenance, management system issues The participants also focused their awareness on importance and contribution of BN  Hydrographic Services and capacity building to contribute in national and international level  hydrographic activities. Besides, hydrographic services Bangladesh will play substantial role in  promulgating the ‘Delta Plan-2100’ of Bangladesh Government. Bangladesh is the 70th member of International Hydrographic Organization (IHO).  Bangladesh Navy acts as the focal point of all hydrographic matters in the sea area of  Bangladesh.  The National Hydrographic Committee (NHC) of Bangladesh is chaired by  Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Operations). The committee relentlessly works to promote the  use of hydrography, enhance national hydrographic capacity and also to strengthen  cooperation among the scientific and research communities both at home and abroad. READ:  Seminar on cultural dilemma held at IU Bangladesh Navy has already developed its capability to produce international standard  nautical charts with strict adherence to IHO standards. With high standard of professionalism,  Bangladesh Navy is already proficient in publishing total 63 navigational charts of our sea area  including 9 International Series (INT) paper charts and 11 Electronic Navigational Charts (ENC)  which are accepted by the national and international marine communities and distributed  worldwide for ensuring safe navigation.

A seminar titled 'Land management for eliminating unemployment' was held at Islamic University in Kushtia on Sunday.