Bangladesh is sliding down the path of extremism

In recent months, Bangladesh has experienced significant political and societal shifts under the interim leadership of Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus. These developments have raised concerns about the increasing influence of Islamist groups and the nation’s foreign policy stance, particularly regarding Israel.​

Political Transition and Rise of Islamist Influence

In a non-democratic coup August 2024 Shiekh Hasina, a democratically elected Prime Minister was replaced by Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus who assumed the role of chief adviser in an interim administration.  His leadership has been marked by weak efforts to form a “national government” comprising various political parties, aiming to stabilise the nation without immediate elections. ​

However, this period has also seen the resurgence of Islamist groups. Notably, the interim government lifted a ban on the Muslim Brotherhood linked Jamaat-e-Islami party, previously banned due to its involvement in war crimes especially against minorities and moderate Bangladeshi’s during Bangladesh’s 1971 independence war. Reports suggest that other radical organizations, such as Hizb ut-Tahrir and Hamas, have gained traction, raising alarms about the Islamization of the country’s political landscape as well as the danger this poses to the security of South and West Asia. Bangladeshi immigrants are also extremely spread in the Middle East and Europe, increasing the risk to Jewish and Israeli tourists and residents in these countries, in the upcoming summer.

Impact on Minority Communities

The rise of Islamist influence has had tangible effects on Bangladesh’s minority populations. The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council reported over 2,000 incidents of communal violence between August and December 2024, including cases of arson, vandalism, and assaults . The council accused the interim government of failing to protect minority groups and using state institutions to suppress dissent.​

Anti-Israel Protests and Foreign Policy Stance

Bangladesh’s foreign policy has also come under scrutiny, particularly concerning its stance on Israel. On April 12, 2025, approximately 100,000 people gathered in Dhaka to protest organised by “Al Markazul Islami” against Israel, supporting Hamas and Palestinians in the Gaza Strip .

The rally, held at Suhrawardy Park near Dhaka University, featured demonstrators waving Palestinian flags and chanting pro-Palestinian slogans. Participants expressed anger toward U.S. President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing them of supporting Israel. Symbolic coffins and effigies were carried to represent civilian casualties in Gaza.

The protest received backing from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, led by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, as well as from various Islamist groups and parties. Bangladesh, a Muslim-majority country with a population of 170 million and the fourth largest Muslim country in the world. It does not have diplomatic relations with Israel and maintains official support for an independent Palestinian state.​

The developments in Bangladesh have attracted international attention. Observers note that the interim government’s actions, including the rehabilitation of Islamist parties and the surge in anti-Israel sentiment, could have long-term implications for regional stability and minority rights. As the nation navigates this transitional period, the balance between political inclusivity and the protection of secular and minority interests remains a critical concern.

 Bangladesh’s current trajectory under Muhammad Yunus’s interim leadership reflects a complex interplay of political realignment, rising Islamist influence, and assertive foreign policy positions which are basically anti-west as Bangladesh spirals into Islamic extremism.  Of great concern is the specific protest against Israel which seems to have been engineered with an agenda, given no links between Israel and Bangladesh.