Malaysia’s Home Minister, Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, has dismissed claims that the government granted citizenship to Dr. Zakir Naik. A viral social media post falsely suggested this, using a 2017 photo of Naik receiving an award from Perkasa’s former chief, Ibrahim Ali. Malaysian authorities confirmed that Zakir Naik remains a permanent resident and has not applied for citizenship. Indian authorities have been seeking him since 2016, but Malaysia stated he would not be extradited unless he causes issues. A previous ban on his public speeches has now been lifted.

On Tuesday, Qatar’s Ambassador to Bangladesh, Seraya Ali Al-Qahtani, met Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus and expressed full support for Bangladesh’s reform agenda. He assured that Qatar is keen to assist Bangladesh in every possible way. The ambassador reiterated Qatar’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and contributing to Bangladesh’s economic development.

Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus stated that the recent attacks on minorities, particularly Hindus, following the shift in power were politically motivated rather than religiously driven. The government has taken swift action against the perpetrators. Senator Gary Peters praised Bangladesh's reform initiatives and expressed the U.S.'s keen interest in a smooth democratic transition. He noted that misinformation regarding attacks on minorities had caused unnecessary concern in Michigan’s electoral districts. Dr. Yunus urged Peters to encourage his friends to visit Bangladesh to counter misinformation effectively.

BNP leader Syed Emran Saleh Prince has urged people to remain patient, courageous, and peaceful while working to prevent any deterioration in law and order until democracy is fully restored following the fall of fascism. He emphasized the need to strengthen the economic foundation of the youth to protect them from social and political decay in a new, democratic Bangladesh. He also called for fair business opportunities and employment to safeguard the younger generation from moral degradation. Additionally, Prince sought cooperation from people of all professions to transform the neglected region of Haluaghat into a thriving and prosperous area.

During a U.S. State Department briefing, a journalist referred to Donald Trump’s previous concerns about the treatment of Bangladesh’s minorities and asked for an official evaluation under the current administration. Spokesperson Tammy Bruce declined to speculate. When the journalist attempted to ask again, Bruce firmly refused to provide any further comment.

The Bangladesh government has strongly protested against remarks made by Tulsi Gabbard regarding the persecution of religious minorities in the country. In a statement, the government expressed “deep concern and disappointment” over Gabbard’s comments, where she claimed that religious minorities in Bangladesh are being “oppressed and killed” and that Islamist terror groups are working towards establishing a caliphate.

The government dismissed these claims as misleading and damaging to Bangladesh’s image, emphasizing that the country is traditionally known for its peaceful and inclusive practice of Islam. Bangladesh has made significant progress in combating extremism and terrorism. The statement further asserted that Gabbard’s remarks unfairly portray Bangladesh in a negative light and are completely baseless. The government reaffirmed its commitment to countering extremism through law enforcement, social reforms, and counterterrorism initiatives in partnership with the international community, including the United States. It urged Gabbard to refrain from making such misleading statements in the future.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain has called for a concrete roadmap to ensure the repatriation of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar’s Rakhine State. During a meeting with newly appointed Australian High Commissioner Susan Reil, he urged the international community to take decisive action. The High Commissioner assured that Australia is ready to assist Bangladesh in this regard.

US intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard has expressed concern over ongoing persecution of religious minorities in Bangladesh. In an interview with NDTV World, she stated that the Trump administration is committed to combating global Islamist terrorism. She also mentioned that the new US cabinet has initiated discussions with Bangladesh’s interim government regarding these issues. Gabbard emphasized that radical Islamist threats operate under a common ideology aimed at establishing an Islamic caliphate.

Bangladesh’s Election Commission (EC) held a meeting with heads of missions from 10 OIC member states in Dhaka. Although 19 nations were invited, nine did not attend, including Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, the Maldives, and Oman. Election Commissioner Md. Sanaullah stated that the OIC has pledged full support for a fair election. The EC also requested assistance to enable expatriate Bangladeshis to vote smoothly, emphasizing that proxy voting remains the only alternative.

Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam has announced that the government aims to elevate China-Bangladesh relations through Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus’s upcoming visit to China. Prior to the visit, Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen met with Chief Adviser Yunus. The Chief Adviser will travel to China on March 26, where he will meet President Xi Jinping on March 28, along with CEOs of major Chinese companies. According to the press secretary, China has promised to build a general hospital in Bangladesh, but the Chief Adviser hopes that Chinese health service providers will invest in Bangladesh and establish hospitals jointly with the country.

Police arrested top Chattogram gangster Sajjad Hossain, accused in multiple murder cases. Following his arrest, his wife, Sharmin Akter Tamanna, posted a defiant video on Facebook, declaring they would spend huge amounts of money to secure his release. She warned those responsible for his arrest and claimed Sajjad would return soon. Sajjad, wanted for extortion, land grabbing, and murder, had previously threatened police. Despite past escape attempts, he was finally caught in Dhaka. Authorities are tightening measures to prevent his release.

Dr. Fahmida Khatun, Executive Director of the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), has claimed that economic data presented by the previous government was misleading and politically motivated. “The Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) was directed to manipulate data as per their convenience,” she alleged. She also warned that Bangladeshi businesses are not adequately prepared to tackle the challenges of LDC graduation. The loss of tariff benefits post-graduation could cost the country’s export sector up to $8 billion annually. Additionally, foreign aid for climate financing is expected to decline. Fahmida also raised concerns about rising foreign debt.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Friday that the passports of former Bangladeshi ambassador to Morocco, Mohammad Harun Al Rashid, and his family members have been canceled. The ministry stated that necessary departmental actions will be taken against him due to his activities. Harun has been accused of distorting Bangladesh’s situation and portraying himself on Facebook as a supporter of past fascist regimes. He also labeled himself as a “persecuted diplomat,” “exiled novelist,” and “secularist” to gain sympathy abroad.

Following a high-level meeting in Beijing, diplomats from Iran, China, and Russia issued a joint statement calling for the removal of what they termed ‘illegal sanctions’ imposed on Iran. They reaffirmed Iran’s right to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes and emphasized the need for diplomatic dialogue based on mutual respect. The meeting, chaired by China’s Deputy Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu, included Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi and Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov. The trio urged against actions that could escalate tensions or disrupt diplomatic efforts.

ollowing the signing of a visa exemption agreement between Bangladesh and Gambia, Advisor Jahangir Alam Chowdhury stated that the agreement, applicable to diplomatic and official passport holders, would further solidify bilateral relations. He expressed deep gratitude for Gambia’s unwavering support for Bangladesh on the Rohingya issue. Gambia’s leadership in securing justice for the Rohingya at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) with the backing of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has earned high praise, further strengthening ties between the two nations.