Both Prothom Alo and Daily Star newspapers have the main ideology of promoting anti-Islamism. The two newspapers have been inciting anti-Islamism in Bangladesh in various ways since their inception and are doing a kind of silent campaign for anti-Islamism. The main goal of Prothom Alo's various writings, intellectuals, civil society positions and various campaigns is to establish anti-Muslim attitudes in Bangladesh. 90 percent of people in Bangladesh believe in Islamic thought and believe in Islam. Prothom Alo, Daily Star's mission is to slowly mislead these people about the ideals of Islam and bring the believers to atheism. And that is why Prothom Alo made distorted cartoons of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) in their newspaper.

The toilets that Prothom Alo built in their office rooms were made facing the Kabalah to insult Islam. At various times various writings of this magazine have been seen to patronize anti-Islamism. Prothom Alo editor Matiur Rahman himself is an atheist. He was once a communist leader and openly advocated atheism. On the other hand, Daily Star editor Mahfuz Anam also embraces Western atheism and is one of the promoters of Western atheism ideology. His daughter Tahmina Anam stays in London and from there she expresses her anti-Islamism and denigration of Islam through her writings. This Prothom Alo, Daily Star Group is always busy in distorting Islam and maligning Islam. And to promote this anti-Islamism, Prothom Alo Daily Star is now opposing Islamic banking. One of the objectives of Prothom Alo, Daily Star's anti-Islamic bank campaign in recent times is to ensure that the Islamic banking system is destroyed. Because more than 90 percent of people in Bangladesh are Muslims. They are interested in Islamic banking for various reasons. This is why the Islamic banking system has developed in Bangladesh since the 80s. Interestingly, from the time Islami Bank was established, Matiur Rahman opposed the Islamic banking system. During this time, he made various reports against Islami Bank in 'Saptahik Ekta', 'Bhorer Kagaz'. Later, when the Islami Bank changed hands and it was freed from the Jamaat, the Matiur Rahmans hatched new conspiracies. Now they are opposing Islami Bank again.

After the establishment of Islami Bank in Bangladesh in 1983, many Islamic banking institutions have been launched due to its success. Many mainstream banks have also introduced Islamic banking system in their banks. As a result, the Islamic banking system of Bangladesh stands on a strong foundation. Prothom Alo and Daily Star are on a mission to destroy this foundation. If they can mislead people, then people will lose confidence in Islamic banks. And this loss of confidence will make it easier to propagate that the Islamic banking system is useless. With one such goal, Prothom Alo and Daily Star are now on a mission to destroy the Islamic banking system. And that's why they are making false and fabricated reports one after another so that the Islamic banking system, which has made an important contribution to the economy of Bangladesh, can be destroyed. The eight banks that Prothom Alo and Daily Star are regularly reporting on are all discussed and praised in the Islamic banking system. And that is why various scholars and Islamic thinkers think that Prothom Alo and Daily Star are on a mission to destroy the Islamic banking system with the aim of promoting anti-Islamism.

The government has issued a notice saying that there will be no age limit for intending hajj pilgrims this year.

The notice signed by Deputy Secretary of Religious Affairs Ministry Abul Kashem Muhammad Shahin was issued Monday.

It said persons below 12 years old will be able to perform hajj this year.

The Hajj will be held on June 27 this year subject to a moon sighting.

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Md Shahab Uddin today said Bangladesh requires US$ 373 billion to implement its National Adaptation Plan (NAP) in the next 27 years, with US$ 8.5 billion per year as new and additional finance. 

"For the full implementation of the (Nationally determined contributions) NDC targets of Bangladesh, it needs US$ 143 billion from international support...we need to ensure easy and quick access to climate finance as well," he told the first Copenhagen Climate Ministerial Meeting held at Eigtveds Pakhus in Copenhagen, Denmark, according to a message received here. 

Shahab Uddin said the developed countries must keep their commitments of mobilising US$ 100 billion annually from this year to support actions to tackle climate change in the most vulnerable countries with an equal balance between adaptation and mitigation. 

The most vulnerable developing countries urgently require new, predictable, and adequate grant-based public financing for adaptation beyond voluntary donor assistance, he said.

The minister said the financial mechanism must be settled for the effective implementation of the NAP.

He urged the developed countries to double adaptation finance to support developing countries in their efforts to cope with the adverse impacts of climate change. 

In line with the position of the LDC group, he said, Bangladesh expects a more proactive role from the developed countries to ensure the ambitious contribution of climate finance towards grant-based adaptation support to the most climate-vulnerable countries.

Shahab Uddin said Parties must reach consensus on several critical issues regarding the 'Mitigation Work Programme' to reduce global green house gas (GHG) emissions by 43 percent by 2030 aiming to keep 1.5 degree Celsius within reach. 

The Mitigation Work Programme should facilitate creating enabling conditions for the effective implementation of mitigation actions in the most vulnerable developing countries through the mobilisation of adequate financial resources, technology transfer and capacity building, he said. 

Earlier, the minister joined a view-exchange meeting with the Bangladeshi community held in Bangladesh Embassy in Denmark with AKM Shahidul Karim, Ambassador of Bangladesh to Denmark, in the chair.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said her government is building the armed forces in such a way as it can defend the country's independence and sovereignty if Bangladesh is attacked.

"We don't want war with anyone. But, we have to attain enough efficiency to protect our independence and sovereignty if Bangladesh falls into such situation and we're preparing our forces keeping that in mind," she said.

The premier said this while commissioning the newly constructed naval submarine base "BNS Sheikh Hasina" by unveiling its nameplate, joining virtually from her official Ganabhaban residence here.

The inaugural function was held at Pekua in Cox's Bazar.

The prime minister said her government is maintaining the foreign policy adopted by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, "Friendship to all, malice to none."

She asked the armed forces personnel to continue efforts to materialise Father of the Nation's dream of building developed, prosperous and Smart Bangladesh by 2041 free from hunger and poverty alongside discharging professional duties.

"We have established the Bangladesh Navy as a smart force. We will build every organisation as modern with up-to-date and technological knowledge," she said.

The premier said they have adopted a "Blue Economy" policy and are working to use the vast marine resources in flourishing country's national economy and thus to contribute to ensuring overall development of Bangladesh.

She said the newly commissioned submarine base would help navy increase its operational capacity to secure the vast marine resources while the ships passing through the Bay of Bengal also can take help from the base.

"A proud chapter is added to the history of Bangladesh Navy with commissioning the complete and ultra-modern submarine base," she said.

The premier also witnessed the first flag hoisting ceremony in the submarine base of the navy.

Chief of Naval Staff Admiral M Shaheen Iqbal gave the address of welcome at the venue in Pekua.

A brief audio-visual documentary of the submarine base was screened at the function.

Sheikh Hasina said Bangabandhu had enacted the Territorial Waters and Maritime Zones Act, 1974 to establish Bangladesh’s rights on its maritime boundaries.

But, the United Nations adopted the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in 1982 as an international maritime law, she said.

After 21 years , when AL government assumed   power in 1996, Sheikh Hasina  said her government had taken some measures and signed the UN unclose to this end, adding that the Zia, Ershad and Khaleda’s governments did not take any measures.

After coming to power for the second time in 2009, the prime minister said they have been able to establish Bangladesh’s rights on the vast marine areas and its resources from neighbouring India and Myanmar with maintaining the friendly relations.

Sheikh Hasina said her government formulated "Forces Goal 2030" in line with Bangabandhu’s Defence Policy-1974 after assuming power in 2009 and is now implementing the goal aimed at transforming all the military forces as modern and time-worthy organizations.

In  last 14 years, a total of 31 warships, including four  frigates, six  corvettes, four large patrol crafts, five  patrol crafts and two  training ships were added to the fleet of Bangladesh Navy, she said.

"We added two submarines on March 12 in 2017. As a result, today our Navy was established as a three-dimensional naval force," she added.

The premier said Bangladesh is currently building ships in local shipyards for its own uses and for others.

Bangladesh Navy has completed the construction of five patrol craft including large ones in Khulna shipyard, she said.