Blitz Editorial

We are heavy with the pains and sorrows of those victims of 9/11. Islamist militants attacked United States, several years back, causing massive destruction and loss of lives. Possibly this had been one of the worst display of muscle of those notorious elements, wherefrom the world should have learnt the lesson of joining the war on terror with full vigor. But, what we have been witnessing is not very much satisfactory. The world is evidently divided into two parts. One, favoring the theme of war on terror; and the other, joining hands with Hamas, Hezbollah or Iran like wolves. In Bangladesh too, Islamist militancy is growing with notoriety. This small nation in South Asia witnessed with utmost surprise, the explosion of bombs in 63 districts just a year back. Extremist Jamaatul Mujahedin Bangladesh (JMB) came on the top stories of local media as the mastermind of these attacks. Later this group killed a number of innocent people, including two judges with their suicide attacks. Bangladesh government deserves appreciation for nabbing the top leaders of JMB, although there is news about re-structuring of the organization under various socio-political umbrellas.

Jihadists are using religious schools are safe haven of their existences. New recruits are even given military trainings in those schools, which is also no more a new information for the government. In recent days, mega-terrorist Hezbollah has established its branch in Bangladesh under the direct finance and patronization of Iran. But the state machinery is still remaining silent on this issue. According to analysts, more than 90 notorious Islamist militant groups are gaining strength secretly, and, Hezbollah-Bangladesh is a new inclusion in the list. Although Bangladesh proclaims to be one of the solid partners in war on terror, it has unfortunately failed to take any action against these still to emerge Islamist militia groups. Experts are saying that, such softer attitude of the government might push the country to another massive offensive from the radical notoriety.

Why Microfinance Been Chosen to ‘halve’ Global Poverty by 2015?

Sirajul Islam writes for Blitz                                                  

Why microfinance been chosen to ‘halve’ global poverty by 2015 as a major strategy apart from other development interventions? It is simply to me that microfinance provides loans in small-scale self-employment activities chosen by the poor themselves, and these loans seem to increase income and savings for the poor. But also the taking, investing in IGAs and repaying of loans seems to empower the poor through a feeling of “we can do something to increase our family income, and reduce our poverty”, as some of them asserts.