On September 28, 2016 the South Asia Center hosted Mr. Shahriar Kabir, a prominent human rights activist, for a conversation on Bangladesh’s ongoing deradicalization efforts and the role of civil society in rooting out extremism. The discussion was moderated by Distinguished Fellow, Mr. Shuja Nawaz.

Mr. Kabir addressed the need for secular democracy in Bangladesh as a means to effectively counter violent extremism. “Religion and politics must be separated,” Mr. Kabir repeated throughout his presentation. Mr. Kabir concluded his remarks by stating that civil society and the youth play an important role in countering both the narrative and philosophy of radicalism in Bangladesh. 

Image: Pictured here is Mr. Shahriar Kabir, a journalist, filmmaker, and most importantly, a human rights activist, explaining the need for secular democracy based on pluralism in Bangladesh (Atlantic Council).