On the third day of his visit to Turkey, Pope Leo XIV toured Istanbul’s iconic Sultan Ahmed Mosque, widely known as the Blue Mosque. Built in 1617 under Ottoman Sultan Ahmed I, the mosque is famed for its more than 21,000 Iznik ceramic tiles in shades of blue and turquoise. According to the Vatican’s media office, the Pope visited in a spirit of silence, reflection, and deep respect for the faith of those gathered in prayer. He was accompanied by Turkish Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, Istanbul’s provincial mufti Emrullah Tuncel, and the mosque’s imam, Kura Hafiz Fatih Kaya. The visit was guided by muezzin Musa Asgin Tunca. Pope Leo became the third pontiff to visit the Blue Mosque, following Pope Francis in 2014 and Pope Benedict XVI in 2006, marking another gesture of interfaith dialogue and mutual understanding between Christianity and Islam.

Renowned writer and educator Professor Abdullah Abu Sayeed, founder of the World Literature Centre, inspired young participants at the 'Carnival of Change 2025' held at BRAC CDM in Savar on Saturday, November 29. In his keynote speech, he emphasized that true success comes from following one’s passion and inner calling, not from seeking rewards. Sayeed stated that nothing great can be achieved without a touch of madness and encouraged youth to listen to their soul’s desires. The two-day event, organized by BRAC, showcased the creativity, leadership, and innovation of over 250 young participants from across Bangladesh. The first day featured exhibitions, discussions, and workshops highlighting social entrepreneurship and innovation. Twelve projects were shortlisted, and three were selected for awards recognizing their potential to drive positive social change and community development.

A protest concert titled 'Ganer Artonad' organized by the civic platform 'Sampriti Jatra' at Dhaka’s Shahbagh was disrupted on Friday afternoon by a group of youths under the banner of 'Julai Moncho'. The event was held to demand the release of Baul singer Abul Sarkar, who had been accused of making derogatory remarks about Islam and Allah. The opposing group chanted slogans demanding punishment for Sarkar and attempted to stop the event, leading to a brief scuffle and heightened tension between the two sides. Organizers claimed that the attackers damaged the event’s backdrop before leaving, after which the program resumed. Shahbagh police stated they had not received any complaint or report of violence. Several artists, writers, and cultural activists attended the event, calling for Sarkar’s immediate release and performing protest songs and a torch procession.

The five-day Jor Ijtema, a preparatory congregation ahead of the annual Bishwa Ijtema, will begin on Friday after the Fajr sermon at the Turag River bank in Tongi. Organized by the Shura-e-Nezam faction of Tablighi Jamaat, led by followers of Maulana Zubair, the event will conclude on December 2 with a final prayer. The Jor Ijtema is held about 40 days before the main Bishwa Ijtema to review annual activities and receive guidance from senior scholars. Devotees and elders from both home and abroad are expected to attend. Tongi West Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Harun-or-Rashid stated that additional police forces have been deployed around the venue to ensure security and maintain order during the gathering.

The five-day Jor Ijtema organized by the Shura-e-Nezam faction of the Tabligh Jamaat is set to begin at the Tongi World Ijtema ground in Gazipur on Friday after Fajr prayers. The event, which serves as a preparatory congregation held about 40 days before the annual World Ijtema, will conclude with the Akheri Munajat (final prayer) on Tuesday, December 2. According to media coordinator Habibullah Raihan, followers of Maulana Zubair Ahmad from home and abroad have already started gathering at the venue’s tin-shed mosque, where senior scholars will deliver guidance and sermons. Tongi West Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Harun-or-Rashid confirmed that additional police forces will be deployed to ensure the safety of the attendees. Earlier, followers of Maulana Saad Ahmad Kandhalvi held a similar five-day Jor Ijtema in Atibazar, Keraniganj, from November 7 to 11.

The Vatican has issued new guidance reaffirming that Catholics should have only one spouse, emphasizing monogamy as central to a happy and faithful life. Approved by Pope Leo, the directive from the Church’s top theological office urges its 1.4 billion followers worldwide to commit to a single partner and avoid multiple sexual relationships. The statement criticizes the practice of polygamy, particularly prevalent among some Catholic communities in Africa, asserting that marriage is a lifelong union between one man and one woman based on equality and mutual commitment. The document does not address same-sex marriage but highlights the 'beauty and sacredness' of traditional marriage. The guidance follows heated debates at Vatican conferences in 2023 and 2024, where bishops and cardinals discussed how to uphold Catholic teachings amid changing cultural norms. The Church reiterated that while marriage is indissoluble, annulments may be granted if a union was invalid, and no one should remain in abusive relationships.

A major controversy has emerged in Bangladesh after Baul singer Abul Sarkar allegedly made derogatory remarks about Allah during a performance, sparking outrage among conservative religious groups. The comments, described by critics as blasphemous and offensive, have led to demands from Islamic activists and religious scholars for Sarkar’s arrest and punishment. The incident has reignited debates over the boundaries of artistic freedom, religious sensitivity, and the role of Baul traditions in a predominantly Muslim society. Supporters of Sarkar argue that Baul philosophy emphasizes spiritual expression beyond orthodox religious frameworks, while opponents claim such expressions insult Islamic beliefs. The government faces growing pressure from religious groups to take legal action, though some intellectuals and cultural figures have defended the Baul community’s right to free expression. The controversy highlights ongoing tensions between Bangladesh’s secular cultural heritage and its strong Islamic identity.

Senior journalist Manik Muntasir has called on Baul artists to reject hypocrisy and return to the spiritual and humanist teachings of legendary figures like Lalon Shah and Shah Abdul Karim. His comments came through a Facebook post titled “Stop hypocrisy in the name of Baulism,” following the arrest of Baul singer Abul Sarkar, accused of making derogatory remarks about Islam and Allah. Muntasir emphasized that true Baul saints never mocked any religion and urged that Sarkar’s alleged offenses be handled through proper judicial process. While acknowledging that Sarkar and his followers were previously victims of attack, Muntasir criticized their misinterpretations of religious texts and warned against using religion for sensationalism. He concluded by advising aspiring Bauls to study the lives of Lalon Shah, Shah Abdul Karim, and even Gautama Buddha to understand the essence of spiritual practice and social reform.

A new Hindi film titled ‘The Taj Story’, starring veteran actor Paresh Rawal, claims to reveal the ‘truth’ behind the Taj Mahal, alleging it was once a Hindu temple named Tejo Mahalaya. This theory, first proposed by revisionist writer P.N. Oak in the 1980s, has been repeatedly discredited by historians and India’s Archaeological Survey. Despite lacking evidence, the narrative has resurfaced under the influence of Hindutva politics, which seeks to reinterpret India’s Islamic heritage as foreign and glorify a continuous Hindu past. The film’s release aligns with broader political efforts by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to reshape historical narratives, including textbook revisions and renaming cities with Islamic origins. Critics argue that such cultural projects deepen communal divisions and legitimize exclusionary nationalism. The Taj Mahal controversy, therefore, symbolizes a larger ideological struggle over India’s pluralistic history and identity.

Religious advisor Dr. A F M Khalid Hossain emphasized the importance of integrating religious teachings with modern education to build a morally strong society. Speaking at the annual gathering and certificate ceremony of Assunnah Model Madrasa in Chattogram, he warned that education without religion could lead people astray. Dr. Hossain also mentioned that the government is preparing for a free, fair, and festive national election in February 2026, promising a smooth transfer of power to the elected representatives. He urged the youth to take responsibility in shaping Bangladesh into an ideal state free from corruption, bribery, and exploitation. Other scholars and religious leaders, including professors from the University of Chittagong and Islamic institutions, also spoke at the event. The ceremony concluded with the distribution of certificates to students who passed the 2025 annual examination of the madrasa’s Hifz department.

At a freshman reception and career guidance event at Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Islami Chhatra Shibir’s central president Zahidul Islam stated that Kolkata’s culture had long been imposed on Bangladesh in the name of Bengali culture. He emphasized the need to practice a culture rooted in self-respect and national identity. Zahidul Islam asserted that the new generation rejects blind political loyalty and coercive politics, declaring that such practices have ended. Addressing criticism about the organization’s stance on women and non-Muslims, he dismissed them as politically motivated misinformation, affirming Shibir’s commitment to Islam’s inclusive principles. He also highlighted Shibir’s 30-point education proposal, which he claimed could elevate Bangladesh’s education, research, and technical sectors globally if implemented. The event, attended by over a thousand new students, featured university professors and Shibir leaders who encouraged students to develop academic and practical skills.

The National Education and Culture Protection Movement has submitted a memorandum protesting the cancellation of the government decision to recruit music and physical education teachers in primary schools. The organization, supported by 23 social, cultural, teacher, and student groups, announced a rally at the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka on Saturday. Movement leaders, including Mahmud Selim, Dr. Abu Sayeed, and Dr. Mokbul Hossain, argued that the interim government reversed its earlier decision under pressure from certain groups demanding religious teachers instead. They emphasized that music and physical education are essential for children’s holistic development and warned that removing these subjects would harm intellectual and emotional growth. The Primary and Mass Education Adviser, Dr. Bidhan Ranjan Roy Poddar, assured that appropriate actions would be taken. The movement also urged the government to make music, fine arts, and physical education compulsory at both primary and secondary levels.

More than 10,000 devotees and visitors, regardless of religion or background, gathered for a communal meal during the annual Sri Sri Sarbajanin Raksha Kali Puja celebration in Gobindapur-Golla-Moymandi villages under Jatnrail Union, Nawabganj, Dhaka. The event, held on November 20, featured the traditional Kirtan Mahaprabhu’s Bhograg festival, a 200-year-old tradition of the temple. Around 20 cooks and over 100 volunteers prepared and served food from early morning until evening. Local leaders, including BNP candidate Khandaker Abu Ashfaq, attended and exchanged greetings with devotees. Organizers emphasized the unity among people of all faiths—Hindu, Muslim, and Christian—who participated in the festival. The temple committee expressed pride in preserving this long-standing cultural and religious heritage, which draws visitors from neighboring districts each year.

At a discussion marking the 194th death anniversary of Shaheed Mir Nisar Ali Titumir, speakers criticized the state’s continued neglect in properly honoring the 19th-century revolutionary leader. The event, organized by the Government Titumir College Journalists’ Association, featured civil society representative Abul Kashem Sheikh of the United Nations, academics, journalists, and political figures. Sheikh emphasized that Titumir’s rebellion against British colonial and landlord oppression remains a symbol of resistance and justice, lamenting the absence of a national budget or official recognition for his legacy. Other speakers, including Dr. S. M. Khaliduzzaman and writer Abid Azam, linked Titumir’s struggle to later movements for independence and social justice in Bengal, urging the youth to emulate his ideals. They described the state’s failure to commemorate him as a reflection of institutional weakness and called for broader recognition of his contributions to Bangladesh’s liberation and identity.

Dhaka will host the 24th International Qirat Conference Bangladesh–2025 on November 28 at the National Mosque Baitul Mukarram. The event, organized by the International Quran Recitation Organization ‘Iqra’ and sponsored by PHP Family with support from the Islamic Foundation Bangladesh, aims to promote Quran recitation globally. Distinguished reciters from Egypt, Turkey, Pakistan, Iran, and the Philippines will participate, including Sheikh Ahmad Al Jawhari, Sheikh Abdul Wali Arakani, Qari Anwarul Hasan Shah Bukhari, Qari Mahdi Gholamnejad, and Qari Muhammad Nair Asfar. The conference will be presided over by the eminent reciter Sheikh Ahmad bin Yusuf Al Azhari. Chief Guest will be Religious Affairs Adviser Dr. A F M Khalid Hossain, while PHP Family Chairman Sufi Md. Mizanur Rahman will attend as chief patron. Special guests include Islamic Foundation Director General A. Halim Khan, Dhaka Deputy Commissioner Tanzil Ahmed, and DIG of Police Ejaz Ahmed. Diplomats from various countries are also expected to attend.