If children are taught music and dance… Extremists threaten Bangladesh’s Yunus government

Dhaka: Following the recent political upheaval in Bangladesh, the influence of extremist organizations is rapidly increasing. These organizations are now attempting to manipulate the education system. Extremist groups such as Jamaat-e-Islami, Khalifat Majlis, and Bangladesh Khalifat Movement have issued a stern warning to Dr. Muhammad Yunus’s interim government.

They demand that the appointment of music and dance teachers in primary schools should be stopped and replaced with religious teachers. These organizations claim that teaching music and dance will lead to atheism and the next generation will lose faith in Islam. If this is not done, they will take to the streets again.

Indeed, the interim government of Bangladesh recently made a provision for the recruitment of music, dance, and musical instrument teachers in primary schools under the National Education Policy, but extremist organizations have launched a strong protest, calling it “anti-Islamic.”

Amir Syed Rezaul Karim of the Islamic Movement Bangladesh said, “What will you teach our children by teaching them dance and music? Teaching music and dance will corrupt children and the next generation.” He claimed that teaching music and dance will preserve their faith. “We need religious teachers in schools,” he said. “Bangladesh Muslims want Islamic education in schools.”

Extremists warned the Yunus administration that if religious teachers are not appointed in place of music and dance teachers in primary schools, Bangladeshis will once again take to the streets. Extremist organizations claim that while Islamic and moral education curriculum exists in primary schools, the lack of specialized teachers is depriving students. This is leading to a decline in social and moral values ​​and disconnecting children from their religious and cultural heritage.