Politics and Social Change in Bangladesh was discussed at our university
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‘5 Continents 1 Agenda’ organized by the Research and Application Center for Neighboring and Peripheral Countries (KÇÜUAM): Bangladesh’ panel, Bangladesh’s domestic and foreign politics, student mobility and state reconstruction processes were discussed. In the event moderated by our Chairman of the Board of Trustees Dr. İsrafil Kuralay, expert speakers evaluated the historical, economic and social dynamics of the country.
Our University’s Neighboring and Peripheral Countries Application and Research Center (KÇÜUAM) held a conference titled ‘5 Continents 1 Agenda: Bangladesh’ at the B105 hall of Sütlüce Campus. The panel, where Bangladesh’s domestic and foreign politics, student mobility and state reconstruction processes were discussed, was moderated by our Chairman of the Board of Trustees Dr. İsrafil Kuralay. In the event, which started with the presentation of the panelists by Prof. Dr. Ahmet Kavas, Director of KÇÜUUAM and Faculty Member of Humanities and Social Sciences, Minhazul Abedin, PhD Candidate at Istanbul University, and Dr. Abdullah al-Mamun, Director of Nation Building Initiative, evaluated the national and international situation of Bangladesh.
“DISTANT SISTER COUNTRY” BANGLADESH
Dr. Israfil Kuralay, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of our university, drew attention to the history, cultural richness and strategic importance of Bangladesh. Dr. Kuralay described Bangladesh as a “distant sister country” and emphasized that academic and cultural relations between Turkey and Bangladesh should be further developed. Dr. Kuralay also stated that Bangladesh has great potential and that these resources should be used more effectively.
INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION FOR SOLUTION OF PROBLEMS
Dr. Kuralay touched upon the deep historical ties that started with India during the Ottoman period and said that such events would strengthen the friendship between the two countries. “Bangladesh’s population of more than 170 million and its strategic location has a great power of influence on a global scale,” said Dr. Kuralay, adding that our university should pioneer academic studies in this context.
BANGLADESH’S HISTORICAL TIES AND STRATEGIC POSITION
Minhazul Abedin, in his speech titled “Bangladesh: Domestic and Foreign Politics from Past to Present”, evaluated the country’s Muslim identity and the effects of its relations with India on international politics. Emphasizing the strategic geographical location of Bangladesh and the transformations it has undergone throughout history, Abedin reminded the influence of Turkish Sufis and the Delhi Sultanate in the introduction of Islam to the Bengal region. Abedin also touched upon the economic and social turmoil that the British colonial period brought to the region, noting that Bengal’s textile wealth was recognized worldwide, but that this wealth was exploited by the colonial powers.
TURKISH TV SERIES ARE VERY POPULAR IN BANGLADESH
Abedin, who also gave details of Bangladesh’s struggle for independence and the Liberation War in 1971, drew attention to the role of India in this period and stated that Bangladesh, which gained its independence with India’s support, faced various problems in its relations with India over time. He emphasised that Bangladesh today, despite its economic growth potential, is struggling with India’s hegemony in the region. In his speech, Minhazul Abedin also emphasized the impact of Turkish TV series on Bangladeshi people and stated that cultural ties between Turkey and Bangladesh are getting stronger.
STUDENT MOVEMENTS AND THEIR ROLE IN SOCIAL CHANGE
Dr. Abdullah al-Mamun also emphasized the key role played by young people in social change from the independence struggle to the present in his speech titled “Student Mobility and Reconstruction of the State in Bangladesh.” Dr. al-Mamun said that despite Bangladesh’s economic potential, corruption, inequalities in education and problems in the justice system are the biggest obstacles facing the country.
