Dr. Abraham Mathai, Founder-Chairman of the Harmony Foundation and former Vice-Chairman of the State Minorities Commission, has expressed deep concern over alarming reports from Bangladesh especially a social media video from a cultural program at Jessore’s Jamia Islamia Madrasa that depict students dressed as ISIS militants, holding toy guns, reportedly under the guidance of a cleric.
Dr. Mathai stated that these shocking visuals, now viral on social media, raise serious questions about the psychological conditioning of young minds in Bangladesh. Bangladeshi author and feminist Taslima Nasreen has also criticized this, warning that children playing with toy guns today could grow up to wield real weapons tomorrow—a chilling prospect demanding urgent attention.
Dr. Mathai commended Nasreen’s courage in highlighting the issue and echoed her concerns. He remarked, “What appears to be a cultural program takes on a dangerous undertone when students are dressed as ISIS militants in a Madrasa—a place meant to impart religious education. This is not normal. Fancy dress competitions and cultural programs do not typically glorify violent ideologies. The question is: are these institutions subtly grooming children to imbibe extremism as a goal to fulfil their radical ideology?”
He further noted that children, like clay, can be shaped in any direction. Such activities risk normalizing violence and indoctrination under the guise of harmless cultural expression.
Dr. Mathai also criticized the broader trajectory of Bangladesh, drawing parallels with nations like Afghanistan and Syria, where fundamentalist ideologies have disrupted peace and progress.
Dr. Mathai questioned the government of Bangladesh, asking, “Is this the nation they are heading towards, where children dress up as ISIS militants and Hindu minorities are suppressed every day?”
Dr. Mathai concluded by reiterating his call for accountability, including the revocation of Muhammad Yunus’ Nobel Peace Prize, and urged international leaders and organizations to take decisive action to prevent Bangladesh from falling deeper into the abyss of such extremism.
This facebook link highlights how radicalised Bangladeshi society is gradually becoming. https://www.facebook.com/reel/956463925872828
