Khelafat Andolon has called for the government to scrap its decision to recruit dance and music teachers for primary schools and instead appoint qualified religious and moral education teachers. Speaking on the issue, party leader Mujaibur Rahman Hamidi argued that 90 percent of primary school students come from Muslim families yet lack basic Quranic and Islamic knowledge. “A government that cannot ensure Quran education for Muslim children cannot force dance and music upon them,” he warned, urging authorities to recruit trained Islamic scholars for religious and ethical instruction.

The Shapla Memorial Society has initiated financial support for families of those killed in the May 5, 2013 Hefazat-e-Islam rally at Shapla Square. The announcement came Friday, with the group pledging monthly stipends ranging from Tk 10,000 to Tk 15,000 per family, depending on need. General Secretary Md. Kamal Uddin said families listed as “martyr households” would receive continuous assistance. Hefazat has so far released a draft list of 93 names, though the number could rise after verification.

Tensions flared ahead of the much-anticipated football final in Cox’s Bazar, as clashes broke out between spectators and law enforcement officers. The unrest left at least 20 people injured, including the local Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO). According to reports, the final between Ramu and Teknaf upazilas was scheduled for the afternoon. The stadium filled beyond capacity, prompting many fans to storm the gates. Security personnel from the army, police, and RAB attempted to control the situation, sparking anger among the crowd. Spectators began hurling stones at the galleries and security forces. By 5 p.m., authorities managed to bring the situation under control.

U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Tracy Ann Jacobson held a courtesy meeting with Faez Ahmad Tayyeb, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser, on Thursday. During the discussion, Tayyeb invited American companies and other international investors to explore opportunities in Bangladesh’s data center, cloud services, and digital infrastructure sectors. He highlighted that a World Bank–supported Digital Public Infrastructure Development Project will soon be launched. Both sides discussed ICT sector progress, emerging technologies, cybersecurity, startup ecosystems, and digital skills development. They also exchanged views on personal data protection laws, data governance, and modernizing police communication systems. Jacobson praised Bangladesh’s digital transformation initiatives and assured U.S. support in technical collaboration and knowledge sharing. Tayyeb emphasized the importance of global partnerships to position Bangladesh as a hub for technology and innovation.

Asaduzzaman Fuad, a leader of the AB Party, has declared that no national election will be accepted without the implementation of the July Charter. He proposed a referendum or a constituent assembly election if necessary, insisting that the sacrifices of students in the July Movement must not be wasted. Fuad accused major political parties, including the BNP, of failing to grasp the youth’s aspirations during the JUCSU elections. “Traditional politics, extortion, and muscle power have been defeated. If mainstream parties fail to understand this generational demand, they will pay a heavy price in the future,” he warned. He also criticized selective constitutional arguments from opposition parties, asking why they remained silent when at least 50 constitutional provisions had already been violated.

BNP leader Shamsuzzaman Dudu has stressed that elections are the only path to democratic progress, warning against attempts to derail the upcoming polls. “Some groups are inventing excuses to block the election. But democracy has no alternative to elections. If elections are delayed, authoritarian forces will take advantage,” he said. Dudu urged BNP supporters to remain united, declaring that the decisive moment for Bangladesh’s democracy will come in February 2026. He also insisted that only the Zia family can safeguard the country’s future.

After 52 hours of continuous protest, nine Chittagong University students ended their hunger strike on Friday afternoon after Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Muhammad Yahya Akhter personally assured them that their demands would be addressed. At 4 PM, the students broke their fast by drinking sherbet offered by the VC in front of the Proctor’s office. The seven demands included: publishing a list of injured students from the recent clashes, ensuring advanced medical care, securing housing for displaced students, recovering their belongings, protecting identified vulnerable students, bringing perpetrators to justice, halting harassment of innocent locals, forming a joint coordination committee with quarterly meetings, and implementing the syndicate’s roadmap for a safer campus.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has demanded the resignation of two student representatives from the advisory council of the interim government before the election schedule is announced, citing concerns over impartiality. He accused the Awami League of fueling unrest and said the growing political crisis could plunge the nation into deep uncertainty. “The Awami League has a history of terrorism. Sheikh Hasina’s attempts to derail the election are nothing new. But this time, the people will resist, and her party will be wiped out,” he warned. Fakhrul also criticized Hasina’s recent remarks in India, calling them harmful to the Awami League’s credibility. “If she had instead admitted past mistakes and promoted capable leaders to lead politics forward, the country would have been better off,” he added.

The vote-counting process in the JUCSU election has been temporarily suspended as returning officers debate whether to proceed manually or with Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) scanning. An emergency meeting is underway, and the decision will be announced afterward. Until then, counting in three remaining halls is on hold. Many students and candidates have expressed frustration over the delays. Although OMR counting was initially planned, objections from several panels — including the Chhatra Dal — led to a shift to manual counting. Nearly 20 hours after polls closed, the commission has yet to finish tallying votes.

Tanvir Bari Hamim, who contested for the position of General Secretary in the JUCSU election and secured 5,283 votes, has admitted his fault in a heated exchange with Assistant Proctor Shehrin Amin Monami on election day. Speaking on a YouTube talk show Face the People alongside Monami, Hamim said, “At the time, she was acting as an administrator, and I spoke to her in that capacity. But she is also my teacher. As a student, I should not have spoken in that manner. I have always felt sorry for it.” He clarified that allegations of bias were directed at the overall election process, not specifically at Monami. He further pledged organizational action if any activist with proven affiliation was found spreading falsehoods against her.

The funeral prayer of Jannatul Ferdous, a teacher who died suddenly while serving as a polling officer in the JUCSU and hall council elections, was held after Jumma prayers at the university’s central playground. Proctor AKM Rashidul Alam explained that vote counting could not be completed overnight due to exhaustion and the absence of polling agents. On Friday morning, while heading with colleagues to count votes at the Senate Hall, Ferdous collapsed at the entrance and passed away. She was an Assistant Professor in the Department of Fine Arts. Her untimely death has cast a pall of grief over the university’s teachers and students.

The Bangladesh Coast Guard rescued nine fishermen who were being held hostage by the notorious Ranga gang in the Sundarbans. During the operation, two members of the gang were arrested along with weapons and ammunition. The detainees were identified as Nasir Molla (31) and Mintu Sardar (40). According to officials, they had long supported the Ranga gang in robbery operations by supplying arms, ammunition, and provisions. The rescue mission was launched early Friday after intelligence reports indicated fishermen were being held captive in the Adachgi area. Witnesses said the fishermen were abducted on Thursday night while fishing and crabbing, after arriving in the forest on September 3. The gang had demanded ransom before Coast Guard intervention forced them to flee.

Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam has affirmed that the upcoming national election will take place by February 15, dismissing speculation of a delay. “Differences are natural when multiple parties exist. Otherwise, why would separate parties form? But the election will definitely be held by February 15,” he said while visiting the village home of poet Farrukh Ahmed. Alam emphasized that attempts to disrupt the election would not succeed. “This is a foundational election. It will set the course for future polls and guide Bangladesh’s political journey forward,” he quoted the Chief Advisor as saying earlier. He expressed optimism that the 13th National Parliamentary Election will be held in a peaceful, fair, and festive atmosphere. Pointing to the recently concluded DUCSU polls as an encouraging sign, he said security will be ensured with the deployment of nearly 800,000 members of police, BGB, and Ansar.

Sheikh Bashiruddin, Trade Advisor, has acknowledged Bangladesh’s progress in the ready-made garment (RMG) sector but cautioned that the country lags behind in overall competitiveness. Speaking at the Belt and Road Initiative in Bangladesh Exhibition, he noted that Chinese investment in Bangladesh has surged by 300 percent. “We must identify our weaknesses and advance through knowledge-sharing. By utilizing China’s expertise in production and packaging, we can expand our opportunities,” he said. He further highlighted road safety concerns, stating that annual fatalities from road accidents in Bangladesh remain alarming. “Improving road infrastructure and transport management is a necessity,” he stressed. Bashiruddin also revealed that a U.S. government delegation will arrive in Dhaka on Sunday to discuss tariff issues, focusing on how to restructure tariff frameworks for trade efficiency.

BNP leader AZM Zahid Hossain has strongly criticized the JUCSU election, claiming that an election which draws controversy should never be held. Speaking after paying tribute at the grave of former president Ziaur Rahman, he said, “It is not just Chhatra Dal; the boycott by other panels also signals deeper issues behind this election.” Zahid described the election as a “mockery” designed to rehabilitate autocracy. He alleged that conspiracies are underway to push Bangladesh backward and obstruct democracy. “Exiled autocrats and anti-national forces are working together to derail the democratic journey. I call upon the election organizers to refrain from creating further division,” he added.