Written evidence submitted by the International
Forum for Secular Bangladesh, UK Branch—Ekattorer Ghatak
Dalal Nirmul Committee, Juktorajyo Shakha
Following Select Committee's meeting on 8 December
2009 at St Mathias Centre in East London we are submitting our
views and opinions as how best to engage with the diaspora community.
KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER
There is a growing number of British Bengalis
going to British universities and gaining British qualifications.
It is estimated that presently there are approximately 30,000
British educated Bengali graduates. A further 3,000 are said to
be joining them every year. Many second generation British Bengalis
feel passionate about Bangladesh. They want to get involved and
contribute to the development of Bangladesh but lack the necessary
information and contacts. Connecting the second generation British
Bengalis with their parent's country of origin could be beneficial
to the UK and Bangladesh.
The Benefits for British Bengalis would be the
opportunity to maintain contact and contribute to the development
of Bangladesh. Similarly Bangladesh would benefit by strengthening
links with professionals and accessing specialist skills and expertise
of the diaspora community for the future development of Bangladesh.
The DFID could establish a diaspora knowledge network data of
British Bengalis.
NGOS
There are concerns regarding some British registered
Islamic charities who are raising funds from the UK for the use
of terrorism. Certainly that was the case of Green Crescent http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=81399.
Another charity Jamaat-e-Islami's front organisation
Muslim Aid is presently under investigation http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=80287
by Bangladesh intelligence agencies for alleged link to terrorism.
There are also newspaper reports of Muslim Aid being sectarian
in their distribution of relief material. It is alleged Muslim
Aid refused to give aid to Hindus and gave aid to Jamaat-e-Islami
activists. These are serous allegation and as such we would urge
DFID to review its working with some of the Islamist NGOs.
Syed Enam
Executive Member
8 December 2009
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