United News of Bangladesh

Information and Broadcasting Minister Andaleeve Rahman on Tuesday  said the government has no intention of obstructing or disrupting cultural activities, while acknowledging that concerts and other cultural programmes may sometimes be cancelled over security concerns. “The cancellation of a concert does not necessarily mean that the government did not cooperate. There may have been security concerns there among other issues. We can find out about the matter by talking to the relevant ministry,” he said responding to a question from journalists at Secretariat over local religious leaders obstructing the organisation of cultural programmes in Brahmanbaria and Kishoreganj. The Information Minister said many concerts, including major events, are currently being held in Bangladesh and if there are security concerns at a particular venue, the matter has to be considered separately. “There is no mindset on the part of our government to obstruct or disrupt any cultural activity. We do not share such a view,” he said. The Information Minister said, “For the past 40-50 years, we have seen a group consistently engaging in such activities against various cultural programmes. Such incidents have occurred many times in Bangladesh. There is actually no reason to be worried about this.” He said Bangladesh is a country where people know how to live together and stand by one another. “Regardless of religion or ethnicity, we have a cultural coexistence among us. Some people overreact to such issues. That can happen. However, InshaAllah, the law will take its own course, and action will be taken in accordance with the law.”  “I believe that if you stay with us and the people of the country stay with us, we will be able to move forward properly,” he said. Besides, Prime Minister’s Adviser for Information and Broadcasting Dr Zahed Ur Rahman said Bangladesh has made significant, even “dramatic”, progress in cultural activities and other areas under the current government compared with the situation following August 5. “There are still incidents taking place. When a situation develops and certain groups become influential over a period of one and a half to two years, it is not possible to change everything overnight,” he said.He said he considered the progress made so far a major improvement and that efforts are underway to accelerate it. The adviser said the government is placing importance on expanding cultural activities and taking them to people across the country. He had held several meetings with the Prime Minister in his capacity as adviser on the Ministry of Culture on increasing and expanding cultural practices, said Zahed. “I doubt whether Bangladesh has ever had a Prime Minister who is as attentive and interested as him in spreading cultural activities,” he said.

Newly appointed Information and Broadcasting Minister Andaleeve Rahman on Sunday pledged to take the media forward through cooperation rather than control, stressing the importance of ensuring credible communication of government activities to the people. He made the remarks at a view-exchange meeting with officials of the ministry and its subordinate departments and agencies at the Secretariat on his first working day after assuming office. “The responsibility of credibly communicating all government activities to the people is a very big one for us. At the same time, we have to keep in mind our relationship with the people and the issue of national unity,” the minister said. He said the ministry also has a responsibility to preserve the country’s cultural and religious values, the spirit of the Liberation War and other sources of national pride. Describing the current period as one of the most difficult times in Bangladesh’s history, Andaleeve said the government is making every possible effort under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. “Everyone can make mistakes. But from the standpoint of ethics, we are in a very strong position,” he said, adding that the government’s instruction under the prime minister’s leadership is to serve the country and advance the interests of the people. Describing the media as one of the most important pillars of democracy, the minister said the media helped people learn about government failures, irregularities and repression despite various forms of control and restrictions over the past 17 years. “There is no way to underestimate the role of the media during the July movement. Their role was important in every respect,” he said, stressing that the ministry’s role should be regulatory rather than controlling.  

Andaleeve Rahman, a lawmaker from the Bangladesh Jatiya Party (BJP), on Saturday praised the proposed national budget for FY2026-27, saying it reflected a welfare-oriented mindset focused on justice and humanity, while urging the government to promote Islamic banking, institutionalising zakat management and accelerating infrastructure development in Bhola. Participating in the budget discussion in Parliament, the Bhola-1 MP said the proposed budget demonstrated that the government was committed to serving people rather than exercising authoritarian rule. "I see a message in this budget—that we care and it matters. This is the difference between an autocratic state and a government that works for the welfare of its people," he said. Referring to the early Islamic state in Madinah, Andaleeve said justice and humanity were its two fundamental pillars, arguing that similar values should underpin Bangladesh's development. He welcomed provisions in the budget for family cards, support for physically challenged people, export promotion, startups, healthcare and the pharmaceutical industry, saying they reflected the government's intention to improve public welfare. The BJP lawmaker also proposed creating a national database of zakat recipients to make the distribution of zakat more efficient and transparent. He suggested developing a digital platform and mobile application to connect donors, including expatriate Bangladeshis, with eligible recipients. "Many people want to pay zakat but do not know where to give it. If we create a proper database and digital platform, it will become much easier for both local and overseas Bangladeshis to contribute," he said. Andaleeve also proposed launching a dedicated television channel to promote awareness about zakat and facilitate charitable giving. Highlighting the growing global acceptance of Islamic finance, he called on the government to strengthen Islamic banking. "The world is moving towards Islamic banking. We should also promote it because we believe it brings divine blessings alongside economic development," he said. While acknowledging that Bangladesh could not switch overnight from the conventional banking system, he said the country should gradually expand Islamic financial services. The MP also defended the government's revenue targets, arguing that previous failures in tax collection were largely due to institutionalised corruption under the former Awami League government. He claimed that large-scale bank scandals had become less frequent under the current administration and urged all political parties to support the budget as a national issue rather than engage in partisan politics. Turning to regional development, Andaleeve pressed for greater investment in Bhola, saying the district possessed around 1.3 trillion cubic metres of natural gas reserves but lacked adequate infrastructure. He reiterated demands for an airport, a university, improved healthcare facilities and the long-awaited Bhola-Barishal bridge, saying these projects were essential to attract investment and unlock the district's economic potential. "Bhola is full of gas resources. We should treat it as the heart of Bangladesh's future economy and invest accordingly," he said. He also urged the Prime Minister to establish a special Bhola Development Committee to coordinate the district's development priorities and ensure faster implementation of key infrastructure projects. Concluding his speech, Andaleeve congratulated the government on the proposed budget and expressed hope that all political parties would work together to ensure its successful implementation for the country's benefit.

President Abdul Hamid held discussions with three political parties - Zaker Party, Bangladesh Kalyan Party and Bangladesh Jatiya Party (BJP) at Bangabhaban on the formation of an acceptable Election Commission (EC), President's Press Secretary Md Joynal Abedin briefed the reporters after the meeting. Zaker party participated in the dialogue with the President at 6pm while a six-member delegation led by party chairman Mostafa Amir Faisal placed four-point proposals, including the enactment of electoral laws and forming a search committee comprising representatives of registered political parties to give the EC a neutral and acceptable manner. They also proposed for using modern technology-block-chain system and e-voting system for ensuring a free, a fair and credible election. Read: UP chairman takes oath on parole in Feni At 7pm, Bangladesh Kallyan Party took part in the dialogue with the President with six-member delegation led by its Secretary General Abdul Awal Mamun. They proposed to form an EC by issuing an ordinance if it is not possible to enact new law immediately. The leaders also sought all-out cooperation of the Executives in EC activities and to ensure accountability of the Election Commission and the government in line with the Article 126 of the Constitution.  Bangladesh Jatiya Party (BJP) Chairman Barrister Andaleeve Rahman joined the talks at 8pm. They placed four proposals, including enacting timely law, forming EC in accordance with the Constitution and involving armed forces as a collaborating force in the electoral process. Welcoming the delegations in the talks, the president said elections are an important process in a democratic manner and the role of the Election Commission is very important to ensure a free, fair and acceptable poll. Read: Another Qwwali programme held at TSC to protest attack  The valuable opinions as well as recommendations of the political parties with regarding the formation of election commission would play a fruitful role, the Head of the State hoped. Hamid sought a very proactive role of the country's political parties to create conducive environment in politics and motivate the voters to ensure fair and credible polls.  Ruling party Bangladesh Awami League will hold a dialogue with the President on January 17 at 4 pm, as the last party in the list. The current EC's five-year tenure is set to expire on February 14.