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Showing posts from April, 2023

"France's Abstention of Muslim Player from Ramadan Fasting Sparks Outcry”

France follows secularism, which means that all religions are equal before the law in order to maintain neutrality. However, the constitution still grants individuals the right to observe their religious beliefs. As part of its secular nature, France does not fund religious institutions or organizations, emphasizing neutrality among people irrespective of their beliefs or religion. To balance secularism and constitutional rights to religious freedom, several debates and controversies have emerged with regard to Muslim religious practices. Recently, the French football federation caused an outcry by abstaining Muslim football players from observing their  fast during the holy month of Ramadan. The decision was deemed heinous, as players were told to postpone their fasting during the five-day selection for the EURO 2024 qualifier against Netherlands and Ireland. The federation defended its decision, stating that football fields were not places to perform religious practices and that it w

crying need for de-dollarization

                                                                     Dollarization means the full reliance on the US dollar in the country’s economy. Bangladesh's main source of income comes from garment exports to the United States, which is the country's largest buyer. Bangladesh imports most of its oil from the Middle East, and so for the import of oil diversification and a high price on the oil market for the sprawling war between Russia and Ukraine, Bangladesh could not direct import from Russia, a lucrative oil market with a competitive price for a reduction in the cost of oil and transportation, but it may be one of the reasons for US sanctions on our garment sectors. Following the recent conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Bangladesh considered purchasing oil from a third party, India, even though it would import oil directly from Russia. Bangladesh is trapped in dollarization because of a lack of confidence in local currency and banking systems, low public knowledge

Beyond South Asia

The Indo-Pacific region consists of the Indian Ocean and western facilities and is home to some of the fastest-growing economies and key global shipping lanes. However, why does Bangladesh, a South Asia country, incline towards the Indo-specific strategy, and does the region deserve its collaboration and participation in the strategic plan as one of its members? Basically, the reasons are Bangladesh's significant strategic location in proximity to the Bay of Bengal and at the confluence of the major three rivers, its borders surrounded by India and serving as a gateway to both South and Southeast Asia, and its friendly ties with the United States and the other members of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD) and many European countries. The strategic relationship Bangladesh is going to build up with this region is being pursued by the United States and its partners to encounter China. But Bangladesh always seeks to implement the non-aligned foreign policy dictum, "friends