Dr. Austin Dacey, Director of centre for Inquiry (CFI) International and advisor of International Forum for Secular Bangladesh USA Chapter came to Bangladesh on a five day visit on 26 February 2006. CFI is one of the largest organization mobilizing secular humanists of the world. Dr. Austin came to Bangladesh on an invitation of Nirmul Committee.
During his stay in Bangladesh Dr. Austin addressed one seminar in Dhaka, three public meetings in Keshabpur (Jessore), Tala (Satkhira) and Satkhira, a south western district head quarter, He was also the keynote speaker of a roundtable discussion at Khulna Press Club, attended by the civil society representatives of Khulna, the divisional headquarter. Dr. Austin also visited four libraries founded by Nirmul Committee in Jessore, Khulna and Satkhira.
The theme of the seminar in Dhaka was 'Call for global unity of secular humanists to resist fundamentalism', held at BILIA auditorium on 27 February 2006. Chaired by Prof. Kabir Chowdhury the theme of the seminar and Dr. Austin was introduced by writer, journalist Shahriar Kabir, acting president of 'Ekattorer Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee' (Forum for Secular Bangladesh).

In his Keynote speech Dr. Austin Dacey said, like other countries in the world fundamentalism is also prevailing in Bangladesh where the fundamentalist groups have a strong worldwide connection. Around 89 religion-based militant organizations are using Islam here to achieve their political gains. He further said, only the government can defeat fundamentalism politically if it wants.

Justice KM Sobhan said, pro-liberation and secular forces should work together to fight against extremism. But it is a matter of pity that there is conflict between these two forces here, he added.
"We always believe that our country is a liberal democratic country and not a moderate Islamic democratic country as called by Christina Rocca, former US secretary of Sate for South Asia," he said.
Justice Sobhan said, government's reluctance to nab the masterminds of countrywide bomb blasts and other militant activities clearly proves that it stands by the side of hooligans who are defying laws of the land.

In his Presidential address Prof. Kabir Chowdhury, said, "Unless we punish the culprits who are responsible for militant activities, we will not be able to face the worst situation waiting for us." He said, religion should be practiced at individual level, state should not force anybody to practice any particular religion. He also demanded restoration of 1972 Constitution to stop fundamentalism in the country.
Prof. Ajoy Roy, Dr Hamida Hussain and BILIA Director Ambassador Waliur Rahman also spoke on the occasion.

Dr. Austin Dacey was the Keynote speaker at a public meeting held in Keshabpur on 28 April, a small town 45 km. down to Jessore, organized by 'Muktijuddher Shahid Smriti Pathagar' (Liberation War Martyrs' Memorial Library) of Keshabpur. Presided over by human rights activist Mohammad Shahjahan Ali the meeting was addressed by writer journalist Shahriar Kabir and Kazi Mukul, central leaders of the Nirmul Committee and library. Among the local leaders the meeting was also addressed by Subodh Mitra former MP, Azizur Rahman, president of local press club, Advocate Abu Bakar Siddique, local bar council secretary, and A M Ruhul Amin, president of Keshabpur Awami League.

The theme of the meeting was 'Build up Secular Humanist Society.' Dr. Austin Dacey said, unity of secular humanists is very important if we want to build up a democratic society in true sense where people irrespective of religion, faith and ideas shall enjoy equal rights and dignity.
Appreciating the library movement of Nirmul Committee Dr. Austin Dacey said, I salute the organizers of this library who took initiative to promote secular human values in this remote area of Bangladesh.

After the meeting Dr. Austin and the central leaders of NC visited Keshabpur library. Dr. Austin presented some books for Keshabpur library.
On 28 February afternoon Dr. Austin Dacey addressed a round table discussion at Khulna Press Club auditorium, organized by 'Muktijuddher Shahid Smriti Pathagar' (Liberation War Martyrs' Memorial Library) Khulna.

The meeting was well attended by the representatives of the civil society of Khulna, while Dr. Austin was the keynote speaker. Shahriar Kabir, acting president of Nirmul Committee and director of the library project introduced Dr. Austin and his organization CFI International.
In his keynote speech Dr. Austin said, the constitution of Bangladesh, which was adopted in 1972 is a magnificent one and far advanced than the constitution of USA that considered as the first secular constitution of the world. He said, even in USA we failed to forbid religion based politics, as Sheikh Mujibur Rahman did in '72's constitution The govt. of USA is not friendly to secularism. President Bush and his govt. always trying to appease the Christian fundamentalist. But there are millions of secular humanists in America who are friends of secular humanists of Bangladesh.

Presided over by Dr. Baharul Alam the meeting was also addressed by journalist Gouranga Nandy, advocate Enayet Ali former member of the parliament who drafted the constitution of 1972, advocate Mujibur Rahman, president of Khulna Bar Council, principal Zafar Imam, Prof. Waheduddin, Prof. Susanta Sarker, Rasu Akhter, general secretary of Mohila Parishad (Women's Association) Khulna, Shaymol Singha Roy, general secretary of Peasants' League, Sheikh Farukh Hassan, general secretary of Students' League Khulna, freedom fighter Younus Ali, freedom fighter Abdul Kayum, journalist Moqbul Hossain, Dr. Shushanta Shekhar Biswas, Dr. Dhiraj Mohan, student leader Shafiqur Rahman, Nasrin Akhtar, journalist Shaheb Ali and Jahangir Alam Sabuj.

Dr. Austin Dacey addressed a public meeting in Tala on 1 March morning, a remote police station of Satkhira. Organized by 'Muktijuddher Shahid Smriti Pathagar' (Liberation War Martyr's Memorial Library) Tala, the meeting was presided over by Prof. Shahadat Ullah. The keynote speaker of the meeting was writer journalist Shahriar Kabir, while Dr. Austin Dacey was the chief guest.

The meeting was also addressed by Sanat Kumar Ghosh, general secretary of Awami League Tala, Rafiqul Islam, UP Chairman and president National Peasants' Association, Mr Zakir Hossain, president of Youth League and Press Club of Tala, Prof. Rezaul Karim, Pranab Shaha, UP Chairman and secretary of Workers' Party Tala, freedom fighter A K Sirajuddin, and Rabiul Islam Babul, general secretary of the LWMM Library Tala.

While addressing the public meeting in Tala Dr. Austin Dacey said, Bangladesh has a long tradition of secular Humanism. From the age of Charbaka to Chandidas of medieval period and Lalon Shah of nineteenth century we have noticed secular humane values, which have drawn attention of the secular humanists of this planet. The audience of the meeting overwhelmed with joy when he quoted Lalon's poem 'Oh, when will such a human society be created/ where no racial distinction will exist between/ Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists and Christians.'
After the public meeting held in Shilpakala auditorium Dr. Austin along with the central leaders visited the LWMM Library of Tala at the bank of river Kapataksha. He was highly impressed by the collection of books and hospitality provided by the organizers of the library. He present a few books to Tala Library.

Dr. Austin and central NC leaders went to Satkhira on the same day afternoon to inaugurate the month long program throughout the country, declared earlier by Nirmul Committee and the libraries to mark the 35th anniversary of the Liberation of Bangladesh.

Writer journalist Shahriar Kabir, acting president of Nirmul Committee (Forum for Secular Bangladesh) and Director of the library project inaugurated the flag procession by handing over a flag of Bangladesh to a member of the new generation. The flag procession was started from the Shahid Minar of Satkhira, led by Dr. Austin, along with central and local leaders of Nirmul Committee and library. A good number of freedom fighters also took part in the rally.

Before the rally a brief discussion meeting was held at United Club auditorium of Satkhira which is next to the Shahid Minar. Chaired by veteran freedom fighter and local UP Chairman Abul Khair the meeting was addressed by Dr. Austin Dacey, Shahriar Kabir, Kazi Mukul and Sharifullah Kaiser Sumon, president of LWMM Library of Satkhira.

In his brief speech Dr. Austin said, I salute the freedom fighters and those who sacrificed their lives to liberate Bangladesh in order to establish a secular human society. During the liberation war of Bangladesh all secular democratic and freedom loving people of America supported the just war of Bangladesh.

Later in the afternoon Dr. Austin and the central leaders visited Satkhira library where the guests were showered with flowers and greetings. Dr. Austin exchanged views with the organizers of the library. Young members of the library recited poems and sang patriotic songs in honor of the guests. Dr. Austin presented a few books to Satkhira library.
On way back Dr. Austin and central leaders paid tribute to the martyrs of liberation war at 'Gallamari' killing field. Several thousands Bengalis were killed by the Pakistani army and their local collaborators at Gallamari of Khulna during the liberation War of 1971.

TOP