Reconstruction of Dhaka City in the 18th Century by the Nawab Family in the Light of Islamic Civilization

The Khwaja family of Dhaka having obtained the title of 'Nawab' from the Government of British India reconstructed the city of Dhaka in the 18th century following the light of Islamic civilization. ‘Knowledge’ and ‘charity’ were the basic foundation of Islamic civilization. Similarly, In islamic civilization it was the regular activities to maintain sustainable public welfare oriented architecture. The contemporary period of the Nawab family, they made name and fame for themselves to perform their humanitarian activities. Through business income they developed a waqf system and spent it for various welfare purposes such as: patronage of modern education, institutions, medicine and technology; assistance to the people who were suffering in natural calamities in national and international arena, and they maintained friendship with government bureaucrats. In Islamic civilization we see various attributes such as: human rights, freedom of thought and practicing religion, Muslim family bondage, social welfare, medicine, orphanage, architecture, aesthetics of utensils, library, beauty of modern and scientific discoveries, beauty of environment, gardening, characteristic beauty, fine taste etc. In the eighteenth century, we found similar characteristics in Dhaka City which inspired us to compare the ‘Dhaka city’ reconstruction according to the light of ‘Islamic civilization’. If we see the nature of muslim’s city in medieavel period around the globe, then we found similar features. In this article we try to learn the hidden power of the Nawab family which led them to ‘reconstruct’ the `Dhaka city' through the exploration of various historical books, to see the current activities of their organization, trustees and observing their way of life.

Decentralisation and Democratisation in Local Government Focusing Key Development Programs in Bangladesh

The local government system is considered to be the main regulator of good governance in a country. Although the local government system in Bangladesh is very old, it has tiny achievements in terms of its effectiveness, decentralisation of power, democratic practices, and public participation. After the country's independence, almost all the governments have come up with the innovation of different levels of local government structures was just nomenclature. They never allowed the local people to enjoy autonomy by their elected representatives in the way directed by the constitution. On the other hand, various local and international development partners have been implementing various programs to strengthen the local government system in Bangladesh, decentralise it and ensure public engagement in local government. Through which some positive elements have been added to the issue of autonomy and participation of the people in the local government system; however, it is significantly minor than required. This research paper seeks to understand the process of democratisation and decentralisation in the local government system of Bangladesh by fieldwork-based research knowledge and review various initiatives taken for the development of the local government system. Besides, drawing on literature and the observations and research on Union Parishad (the lowest tier of local government in Bangladesh), the interrelationship between local government elections and power structure has also been analysed in this article. Ultimately, this paper argues that the process of decentralisation and strengthening of the local government system in Bangladesh through development interventions. Though the interventions of development programs could have been mammoth achievements in the path of democratisation and decentralisation, the party politicisation has made massive impediments to attain the targets.

COVID-19 Pandemic: An Islamic Analysis

The study's purpose is to analyse the prevention of the Covid-19 Pandemic in the light of the Holy-Qur'an and Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh)’s Sunnah. Just as a Pandemic, disaster, or calamity in the world has some external causes, it also has some internal and subtle reasons. Islam considers the plague as a punishment in a natural and broad sense; simultaneously, Islam believes this epidemic to be a test and a warning for the believer. Besides, Islam thinks that dangers and calamities happen according to Almighty Allah's judgment. Islam always gives the idea of a healthy-capable human group. There are 'Kitabut Tib' or medical chapters in almost all Hadith texts regarding the importance of health and treatment. The golden branch of Islam was the development of a particular scripture called the Prophet in Tibet. If there is a Pandemic in a specific area, Islam prescribes quarantine and lockdown. Modern medical systems embraced this warning fourteen hundred years ago as the only way out. In this context, Muhammad (pbuh) said people would not enter the area affected by the pandemic. Besides, people will not go out of where the epidemic has spread [1]. The damage caused by the outbreak could have been drastically reduced if the hadith teachings had been implemented at this critical time in the Coronavirus's presence. To survive the Coronavirus, the World Health Organization (WHO) always says to stay clean. Islamic law orders a Muslim who believes that he is immaculate at every stage of his life. The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: Cleanliness is a part of faith [2]. There are various dispositions of the Shari'a that have been prescribed as a means of attaining holiness. According to medical science's advice, Islam advises taking treatment and taking precautionary measures in a Pandemic of any disease.

Commercial Films in Bangladesh Impact Analysis (2009-2019)

After the independence of Bangladesh (1971), new generation film development making take a place. Bangla commercial films can be divided before liberation, post-liberation and the modern era. Before the liberation era; A. J. Kardar, Zahir Raihan, Khan Ataur Rahman, were the commercial Bengali filmmakers. During the Post liberation time, we have some extraordinary movies like Sareng Bou (1978), Surjo Dighal Bari (1979) and so on. But in the modern era definition of the commercial film has got a chance. From 2009 to 2019 Bangladeshi audiences got different in commercial films. But having DT (Digital Technology) and other advancements have given the development of Bangladeshi commercial film. But story-making, acting, making, socialization and other things are gradually developing in Bangladeshi commercial films. This research will evaluate the prospects and challenges of Bangladeshi commercial films from 2009 to 2019. However further research is recommended to develop the making of Bangladeshi commercial films in respect of lifelike stories, cultural dissemination and so on.

Dini Milliyetçilik ve Ontolojik Güvence Arayışı

Dini milliyetçilik İran devriminden sonra çok tartışılan, günümüzde de güncel olarak karşımıza çıkan bir olgudur. Sürekli değişen küresel olaylar, siyasal eğilimler bu olguyu sürekli dinamik tutmakta. Özellikle, muzaffer küreselleşme algısını rağmen, bazı sosyal bilimciler toplumların tepkiselliğinden yola çıkarak bu olgunun da başarısızlığa uğrayacağı yönünde kanaat getirmekte ve dinlerin ötekileştirme prensibi yüzünden toplumun tepkiselliğini açıklamaya çalışmaktalar. Bu çalışma, Din Sosyolojisi disiplini içerisinde konuya önemli katkılar sağlamış bilim adamlarının fikir ve söylemlerini derleyen, özünde bir literatür taraması olmakla birlikte, ötekileştirme olgusuna etki eden faktör gibi dini milliyetçiliği ve ontolojik güvence arayışının bu olguyu nasıl etkilediğini incelemeyi de hedeflemektedir. Toplumun yenilikçi olaylara direncinde bu olguların rolünün öğrenilmesi de çalışmanın amacını oluşturmaktadır.

Phenomenological Study of Bukidnon State University Graduate Student Scholars

This study explored the lived experiences of the Bukidnon State University Graduate student scholars in the Mindanao Regions during the School Year 2014-2020. The study delved into the scholars’ experiences in the six related factors, namely: students, BukSU faculty, BukSU administration, DepEd administration, work, and family. A phenomenological qualitative research design was employed. Twelve graduate student scholars were the participants of the study. The triangulation approach employing interviews, focus group discussions, and document review in the gathering of data assured the validity of the findings. Participants’ narratives on their lived experiences underwent transcriptions and analysis using Colaizzi’s method (1978). There were six (6) themes that surfaced-out from the lived experiences of the graduate student scholars, namely: Challenging yet, fulfilling Student-Learning Experiences; Satisfying Learning Experience with Well-rounded graduate faculty; Heart-warming learning experience with the BukSU Administration; Impressive support from the DepEd Administration; Pressured learning experience; and encouraging support system. A model showcasing the meaningful experiences of the graduate scholars and the attributes of how these scholars succeed in the pursuit of a graduate degree came out from these emerging themes.

Opportunities of Islamic FinTech: The Case of Bangladesh and Turkey

This paper aims to study Islamic fintech operations in Bangladesh and Turkey. FinTech is now extensively used in different countries around the world. It is known to be financial products of the twenty-first century. Fintech applications are using pervasively in the different Islamic finance operating systems. Turkey and Bangladesh emphasized more in fintech after the 2008 global financial crisis. Both countries banks prioritized in their regulations and compliance with innovation. The rise of Islamic Fintech in Turkey and Bangladesh started with the main banking applications. The use of shariah-compliant Islamic fintech in both countries are increasing significantly to carry out financial transactions and processes more efficiently through technological innovations. Qualitative methods and secondary data have been used in this study. Turkey practically became a hub for Islamic financial technology in recent years considering its operational activities. Asian countries, particularly Turkey and Bangladesh are expected to show their highest growth potential for Islamic fintech in 2020. This study also attempts to unearth the possibilities of Islamic FinTech in Bangladesh and Turkey. Islamic finance based on Islamic Shariah benefited significantly by using financial technology in recent years. Bangladesh and Turkey can be a potential destination for Islamic FinTech with the help of financial technology.

Impact of AVMs on Learning: Disadvantaged Learner Perspective in Bangladesh

The art of teaching-learning in education have been changing in association with digital technologies. In recent years, formal primary schools as well as nonformal primary schools have started to conduct their teaching-learning activities by using digital materials to tap with the flow of technology enrichment. The objective of this paper was examining impact of audio visual materials (AVM) on learning of nonformal primary school learners. Quasi experimental (pre & post) research design was used to conduct the study. Therefore, this study administered quantitative approach to explore the perception of students considering the impact of intervention. Purposive & convenient sampling techniques have been followed in sample selection. Two groups of students of Grade IV were the sample. Students’ achievement test was used as tool. This study recognized that AVMs had significant impact on students’ learning in the context of creating motivation, testing prior knowledge, ensuring active participation in the classroom. Finally the study recommended that professional training for teachers is required for effective pedagogy with AVMs in classroom practices in nonformal primary schools in Bangladesh.

Understanding China’s Relationship with Bangladesh

China as an emerging global power has sought the strategy of expanding ties with many countries across the world. Bangladesh situated in a critical region has been regarded by the country as a regional partner in South Asia. Meanwhile, China’s rise has coincided with India’s growing power in the region, thus China’s relationship with countries such as Dhaka implies regional and international implications, further challenging India’s rise. Such partnership in one hand allows Bangladesh to alleviate economic difficulties, and it guarantees China’s influence and a stronger presence in South Asia to monitor India's activities. As such, by drawing upon the concepts of realism theory such as the balance of power, this study elaborates an analytical framework that presents a novel analysis of how the nature of Sino-Bangladesh partnership can be explained? In response, the authors believe that China attempts to balance the power of India and secure its national interests via developing ties with Bangladesh. Given that Bangladesh has tilted toward China these days, Beijing endeavours to enhance relations with the country to achieve its objectives. The current project becomes significant when one supposes that China’s ties with South Asian countries will not be related only to the region and China. It can have both regional and international impacts in the world affecting South Asia and, then, creating a new form of balance of power. Hence, the present research attempts to analyse the nature of Sino- Bangladesh relationship using library resources in a descriptive-analytical manner.

Role of Stakeholders in Heritage Management in Bangladesh: A Case Study of Mahasthangarh

The notion of stakeholders is becoming increasingly significant in heritage management activities and planning. It is commonly argued that individuals, groups, organizations, environs, societies, institutions, and even the natural environment can be potential stakeholders. However, most of the case heritage sites are impacted and concerned by particular stakeholders such as the local community, regional government, and NGOs. Every project has stakeholders who can influence or be influenced by the project in a positive or negative manner. Mahasthangarh and its environs are a potential heritage site of South Asia that helps understand the chronological history and cultural development of Bengal Civilization. Like many other heritage sites in Bangladesh, Mahasthangarh faces serious threats and challenges which are damaging and waning its outstanding universal value of tangible and intangible heritage. Since site managers involve potential key stakeholders to enhance the sustainable heritage management, planning, reduce the possibility of conflict, increase the stakeholders’ ownership through regular communication, raising awareness, educational activities, and building campaigns, and to augment the community’s trust in heritage management; without the effective role of stakeholders, the outcomes are precarious and can be catastrophic. The paper will demonstrate the possibilities of using the roles of stakeholders as potential tools for safeguarding and managing the heritage site by using Mahasthangarh and its environs as a case study.