Singapore Deports Bangladeshi Workers for Extremist Posts as Cricket Glory Lifts the Diaspora
Singapore's immigration authorities removed two Bangladeshi construction workers this week after the Internal Security Department found they had made extremist posts on social media, a case that draws attention to questions of community values in the city-state. The week also brought a moment of pride for South Asians across the region, as Bangladesh's cricket team completed a historic first Test victory on Australian soil, a result celebrated by Bangladeshi communities from Dhaka to Singapore.
🗳️ Work Permits Cancelled After Extremist Posts
Singapore's Internal Security Department cancelled the work permits of two Bangladeshi construction workers after investigating their social media posts in July. The two men, Tayani Md Risad, 25, and Islam Sahedul, 37, have been repatriated to Bangladesh. In his posts, Risad expressed support for Bangladeshi radical Islamist writer Shafiur Rahman Farabi, who has incited violence against secular and atheist bloggers. Farabi is also allegedly linked to Hizb ut-Tahrir, a fundamentalist Islamist group that Bangladesh's government has banned. Sahedul made inflammatory posts about the Israel-Iran conflict and posted divisive religious views, referring to Muslims who do not want to be governed under Islamic law as infidels. Neither man was connected to previously announced ISD cases involving self-radicalised individuals dealt with under the Internal Security Act. ISD's investigations found no indication that either man intended to carry out a terrorist attack or was involved in terrorism activities in Singapore. An ISD spokeswoman stated that their extremist and divisive views were inimical to Singapore's multiracial and multi-religious society. Bangladeshi news outlets reported that the pair were detained and questioned by Bangladeshi authorities about militant group ties when they returned home. [8]
🤝 Bangladesh Cricket Marks a Historic First in Australia
Bangladesh sealed a historic nine-wicket victory inside four days in Darwin, achieving the country's first-ever Test win on Australian soil. Fast bowler Hasan Mahmud laid the foundation with a career-best haul of 6-55 as Australia were bowled out for 198 on the opening day. Bangladesh then built a commanding lead through Tanzid Hasan's maiden Test century, with further contributions from captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz. Bangladesh Cricket Board president Tamim Iqbal called the performance extraordinary, noting that playing and winning in Australia was difficult for any team. Former captain Akram Khan described it as the biggest achievement for Bangladesh cricket in Test matches, praising the complete team effort rather than individual brilliance. Former spinner and national selector Abdur Razzak said the victory strengthened Bangladesh's case for more Test opportunities against Australia, this being only the seventh Test played between the two countries. Razzak also credited years of investment in domestic first-class cricket and Bangladesh's Test programme for the team's steady progress. Former Bangladesh women's captain Rumana Ahmed pointed to Hasan Mahmud's career-best six wickets in the first innings as a major factor in the historic result. [1]
Sources: [8] The Straits Times · [1] sg.news.yahoo.com