RSIS Seminar Series on Muslim Societies in Asia by Mr Arman I Rashid
(Un)Branded Radicalization: The Dynamics of Politics, Religion and Security in Bangladesh
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Lecture Abstract:
Bangladesh is home to the fourth largest Muslim population in the world with over 160 million people and 89% Muslims. Though Bangladesh was founded on secular values, it has experienced growing Islamization under military, autocratic and democratic regimes over the last four decades. Islam was exploited by military and quasi-military dictatorships to establish political legitimacy, while mainstream democratic parties have often appeased Islamist groups for political mileage. Islamist fringe groups with a nominal vote bank have consequently attempted to exert a disproportionate political voice as ‘kingmakers’ in an increasingly fractured and confrontational polity.
Bangladesh is home to the fourth largest Muslim population in the world with over 160 million people and 89% Muslims. Though Bangladesh was founded on secular values, it has experienced growing Islamization under military, autocratic and democratic regimes over the last four decades. Islam was exploited by military and quasi-military dictatorships to establish political legitimacy, while mainstream democratic parties have often appeased Islamist groups for political mileage. Islamist fringe groups with a nominal vote bank have consequently attempted to exert a disproportionate political voice as ‘kingmakers’ in an increasingly fractured and confrontational polity.
The seminar examines the nature of “unbranded” and “branded” radicalization amongst Muslim youth amidst the interplay of politics, religion and identity in Bangladesh. It traces the historical and contemporary trends of politicization of religion as well as religiofication of politics within the political, social and economic context as well as larger battle for the role of Islam in the country. Moreover, the evolving relationship of collaboration and competition between Islamist movements is investigated in relation to radicalization and security.
About the Speaker:
Arman I Rashid is an Australia-based political and security analyst specializing on Bangladesh. He is currently a Doctoral Researcher and Endeavour Scholar in the School of Social Sciences, Faculty of Arts, Monash University, Australia and affiliated to the National Centre for South Asian Studies, Monash University. He is also Director (on leave) of the Institute of Conflict, Law and Development Studies in Dhaka.
About the Speaker:
Arman I Rashid is an Australia-based political and security analyst specializing on Bangladesh. He is currently a Doctoral Researcher and Endeavour Scholar in the School of Social Sciences, Faculty of Arts, Monash University, Australia and affiliated to the National Centre for South Asian Studies, Monash University. He is also Director (on leave) of the Institute of Conflict, Law and Development Studies in Dhaka.
Arman has previously served as a Bangladesh specialist for the Department of Foreign Affairs & International Trade, Government of Canada and Bureau of Conflict and Stabilizations Operations, United States Department of State. He is a former Lecturer of the Independent University, Bangladesh and has consulted for the World Bank, Institute of Governance Studies, Bangladesh Enterprise Institute, Bangladesh Centre for Development Journalism and Communication. He is a frequent commentator in the print and electronic media, including a columnist for the Dhaka Tribune.
Arman holds a Master of International Development & Environment Analysis (Democracy, Governance and Civil Society) with High Distinction and Bachelor of Business & Commerce (Economics & Management) from Monash University. He was awarded the Golden Key International Honour Society Award in 2003. He has represented Bangladesh in the US State Department International Visitor Leadership Program (2012), Mosaic International Leadership Summit (2010) and Copenhagen Consensus Centre Youth Forum (2008).
