[1] Message from Ambassador Horiguchi "Rebuttal against Islamic Fundamentalism in Bangladesh"

Of late, foreign missions stationed in Dhaka from time to time discuss whether Bangladesh is heading towards Islamic fundamentalism or not.

Those who argue for the prospect cite three reasons. First, fundamentalism is nurtured by poverty, which is a prolonged and chronic issue in Bangladesh. Second, Jamaat-e-Islami, which is a religion-based party and close to being fundamentalist, has been increasing its influence under the alliance with BNP. Third, there is
a sharp increase in the number of "Madrasa" (Islamic religious school) with assistance from Islamic countries and accordingly, more young Bangladeshi people are getting education influenced by Islamic fundamentalist values. They argue that, if not within a few years, it is highly likely for Bangladesh to become a fundamentalist Islamic country in about 20 years.

On the other hand, those who argue against the possibility of Bangladesh becoming an Islamic fundamentalist nation cite the following reasons:

First, Bangladeshi people are in general religiously moderate and open-minded. They are not thorough in a positive sense and therefore fundamentalism is unlikely to get the support from the majority of people.

Second, the poverty that nurtures fundamentalism comes tagged with despair about the future economy and regional isolation. In contrast, the living standard of Bangladeshi people has been improving little by little through economic growth and not many are too pessimistic about their future. Also, Bangladesh is surrounded by India and is not in close proximity to any Islamic country; therefore, it is not very easy for foreign fundamentalist forces to invade Bangladesh. Its landform is flat without steep mountains, which leaves little space for a hideout. The transportation system has been improved as increasing infrastructure are being constructed. This prevents internal isolation in Bangladesh.

Third, Jamaat-e-Islami is a religious party but is different from being a fundamentalist one and has its own limit to gain power; that is, if it advocates fundamentalism, it would lose mass support at once.

Fourth, the number of such madrasas which plant the seeds of fundamentalism into their students is small and many madrasas do not have a connection with any particular religious group. Students are exposed to a plenty of information and it is unlikely that most of them would become fundamentalists.

Fifth, "Tablighi Jamaat," the most popular Sunni Islam sect in Bangladesh which was established in 1920, tells people to fulfill Islamic obligations and enlightens them but is not involved with politics at all as its main characters. This shows how unacceptable fundamentalism is to Bangladeshi people.

In addition to the above reasons, the Government of Bangladesh adopts a "moderate Islamic view with democratic values" as its national policy and seeks to exclude fundamentalism. This policy is supported by the majority of the people, and therefore Bangladesh is highly unlikely to become a fundamentalist Islamic country.

The international society, at the same time, should assist the Government and people of Bangladesh to stick to its national policy through development aid for reducing poverty, improving basic education with special focus on updating and restructuring madrasa education, and expanding transportation network.

(Ambassador's past messages are posted on the following website.)
http://www.bd.emb-japan.go.jp/en/eBulletin/index.html

[2] Recent Events on Japan-Bangladesh Relations

* Ambassador's Visit to WFP Operations Site (June 25, Serajganj)
Ambassador Horiguchi and WFP representative Mr. Douglas Casson Coutts visited the ongoing flood recovery and rehabilitation operations of WFP in areas hit by last year's flood on June 25. They observed distribution of rice ration under WFP's operations, 12,528 tons of which was donated by Japan.

They also visited a biscuit factory, where vitamins and minerals enriched biscuits are produced for WFP, and a WFP Milling and Fortification Unit that produces fortifies Atta (vitamin and mineral enriched wholemeal wheat flour).

Press Release is posted on the following website:
http://www.bd.emb-japan.go.jp/en/news/pr/pdf/pr_wfp250605.pdf

* Forum on Health MDGs in Asia and the Pacific (June 21-22, Tokyo)
Japan hosted the "High-Level Forum on Health MDGs in Asia and the Pacific" from June 21 to 22 in Tokyo, in cooperation with the ADB, the World Bank and the World Health Organization. H.E.Dr. Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Minister for Health and Family Welfare of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, attended the forum.

Press release is posted on the following website:
http://www.bd.emb-japan.go.jp/en/news/pr/pr_mdg200605.html

* Seminar on Rural Livelihood in Flood Prone Area (June 14, Dhaka)
The Seminar entitled "Approach of Rural Livelihood Development in Flood Prone Area" was held by LGED (Local Government Engineering Department) and JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) at LGED headquarters on June 14. The importance of improving livelihood in flood prone areas is addressed through presentations on two programmes. DFID is also an active player in this field and participated in the seminar.

Ambassador Horiguchi made the following speech:
http://www.bd.emb-japan.go.jp/en/embassy/speeches/sp_flood140605.html

[3] Upcoming Event on Japan-Bangladesh Relations

* Media Delegation Visit to Japan (June 27-July 2, Tokyo)
The delegation composed of five media people led by Director General of External Publicity Wing, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh, will visit Japan from June 27 to July 2.

They will have meetings with some high officials in Tokyo and visit 2005 World Exposition being held in Aichi as well as Kyoto.

* Seminar on Japan-Bangladesh Relations (July 7, Dhaka)
The Japan-Bangladesh Friendship Association will hold a seminar on the enhancement of Japan-Bangladesh relations from 4:30-6pm on July 7 at National Press Club.

Ambassador Horiguchi will be a chief guest and other distinguished guests and speakers from the Government of Bangladesh and other institutions are expected to attend the seminar.

[4] Relay Essay from Japan Development Scholarship (JDS) Fellow

"Introducing New Technology in Bangladesh Telecom Sector" (Mr. Md. Anwar Hossain Masud, Bangladesh Telegraph and Telephone Board)

I graduated from the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology in 1992. After graduation, I started my professional career as an electrical engineer in the Instrumentation side of Sylhet Gas Fields Company Ltd. Later on, I joined BCS (Information) Cadre. After two years in Bangladesh Betar, I joined Bangladesh Telegraph and Telephone Board (BTTB) as a member of BCS (Telecommunication) Cadre.

I have been working for the BTTB for seven years. The Government of Bangladesh regards information and communication technologies (ICTs) as a powerful tool for alleviating poverty and fighting hunger and diseases. Our government has declared that ICTs as an effective tool and have taken concerted measures for its optimum utilization in the nation building process. If I get higher studies in Japan in the field of ICTs development, I can definitely contribute to our progress and prosperity in the days to come.

We are living in the information based society in which accelerated convergence between telecommunications, broadcasting multimedia and ICTs is creating new products and services as well as ways of conducting business and commerce. Considering the enormous power of ICTs for socio-economic development, it is essential that
opportunities to obtain ICTs be given to all including those who are now unable to fully participate in the information oriented economy.

We must use the power of ICTs in such a way that people can improve their economic, social and cultural well being. We have got a strong commitment by the government to spread ICTs. Well developed telecommunication infrastructures are a vital factor in disseminating ICTs and the BTTB is playing a pioneering role in this regard.

One of the major aims of BTTB's recent development projects is to facilitate ICTs throughout the country. Already internet services are available in all districts and in 164 Upazillas. We expect by 2005, internet will be available at all Upazillas and gradually it will be extended to rural areas also. For this end, I need to upgrade my skills and improve policy analysis capacity for taking an active role in the development process of my country.

The BTTB, the only Government enterprise in a telecom sector, has to do many things on behalf of the government. It is expected that the country will be connected with the information super highway through submarine cable by 2005 and a new era will be ushered in the ICTs sector of our country. For optimum utilization of resources, people need to adjust themselves to the new technology. If I get more knowledge and skills on ICTs in Japan, I can actively take part in implementing government's policies. This is why I chose "TUNING AND OPTIMIZING METHODS FOR INTER-DOMAIN BGP ROUTING" as my research topic.

To ensure sustainable development and good governance, e-governance is being introduced in all spheres of administration. I strongly believe that studying at Ritsumeikan University will make me prepare for serving Bangladesh in a better way.

I have acquired experiences in the field through working on the BTTB internet backbone, IDD and IPLC services. I am highly optimistic that I can better contribute to my organization in the ICTs field with the help of knowledge, skills and experiences to be obtained in Japan. (Mr. Masud is a JDS 2005 fellow and will leave for Japan next month to study at Ritsumeikan University for two years.) (Japan Development Scholarship for Bangladesh)
http://www.jice.org/english/jds/bangladesh_org.html

[5] Information

* News Articles on Japan-Bangladesh Relations There were some news articles on Japan-Bangladesh relations which were written by a reporter who went over to Japan recently at the invitation of the Government of Japan. ("Governance issues come under watch," Daily Star, June 21)
http://www.thedailystar.net/2005/06/21/d5062101033.htm

[6] Editor's Note

I have recently had one of my paintings framed. It is a piece of modern art by a young American artist. Since the painting is a highly abstracted expression of a landscape, a shop had a difficulty to tell whether it is vertical or horizontal or which is the top and the bottom.

This reminded me of a world map which has the Antarctic on the top and the Arctic on the bottom. The map encourages us to see the world from a different angle and free ourselves from stereotypes. Please try putting your world map upside down for fun! (Saori Nagase)