Abstract: Bangladesh transformed from a war-decimated, famine stricken fledging new state in 1971 to become the breadbasket of South Asia. Beating out India and China in its effort to fight back poverty and hunger, the Muslim-dominant democracy has been a true model of development. The country’s focus on education, health, nutrition, and safety-nets for the poor have worked to build a food-secure nation. The home of the first micro-loans, Bangladeshi small holder farms have flourished. The country has been a beacon of light in the region, representing advanced levels of women’s empowerment, most notably by electing female prime ministers who have held office more years than males in Bangladesh’s fifty year existence. Co-existence between religions is heralded, and the government directly supports the LGBTQ community, even offering financial bonuses to those who hire members. While Bangladesh continues to have large challenges, including intensive political infighting, their bright future is marred by a growing struggle against terrorism. Though leaders have taken a supremely hard line against Islamists extremists, both home grown and international, they are lagging behind in efforts to curtail explosive growth in internet jihadist recruitment that is sewing division and hatred among the population. If leaders are not successful in curbing and reversing this trend, it could undermine or even destroy the herculean efforts of those who have worked so hard to create this jewel of democracy and human rights.
Keywords: Bangladesh, extremism, development, women’s rights, internet.
Title: Extremists’ Weaponization of Internet in Bangladesh: A Threat to Rapid Development?
Author: Shaul M. Gabbay
International Journal of Social Science and Humanities Research
ISSN 2348-3156 (Print), ISSN 2348-3164 (online)
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