Dr. Mohammad Abdul Mazid, former secretary and chairman of the National Board of Revenue, emphasized that zakat can play a vital role in implementing effective social safety programs in Bangladesh. Writing on March 2, 2026, he described social security as an essential component of a welfare state, aimed at supporting vulnerable and disadvantaged groups. He noted that Islam introduced zakat to ensure equitable wealth distribution and reduce economic inequality, requiring wealthy Muslims to allocate a fixed portion of their assets to the poor. The article explains that zakat, when properly collected and distributed, can alleviate hunger, poverty, and unemployment by providing basic needs to the underprivileged. It highlights that zakat covers various assets, including money, gold, livestock, and agricultural produce, and serves both moral and economic purposes. The author recalled that early Islamic governance treated zakat as a mandatory social obligation. Dr. Mazid argued that current informal zakat practices fail to empower recipients, often turning them into dependents. He suggested that a government-led, institutionalized zakat collection and distribution system could significantly reduce national poverty levels.

Widespread protests erupted in Dhaka on Sunday following the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several senior military officials in an Israeli attack. Various Islamic and political parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami, Khelafat Majlis, Islami Andolon Bangladesh, and others, organized separate demonstrations condemning the incident. Jamaat-e-Islami’s rally took place near Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, where leaders denounced the attack as a violation of international law and called for unity across the Muslim world. Party leaders and clerics described the killing as an assault on sovereignty and humanity, urging the United Nations and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to take effective action. Jamaat chief and opposition leader Dr. Shafiqur Rahman expressed deep sorrow and warned that escalating military tensions could endanger regional stability. Other groups, including Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, and Nezame Islam Party, issued statements demanding an immediate end to hostilities and respect for international norms. Several organizations also called for boycotting Israeli products and urged global powers to pursue diplomatic solutions to prevent further conflict in the Middle East.

US President Donald Trump has provided several updates on the ongoing joint military operation by Washington and Tel Aviv against Iran. Speaking to multiple American media outlets by phone, Trump said that 48 Iranian leaders had been killed and that the operation was progressing rapidly. According to a BBC live update on Monday, March 2, 2026, Trump described the campaign as advancing ahead of schedule and fulfilling all objectives. In interviews with Fox News, CNBC, and other outlets, Trump claimed that Iranian expatriates in the United States were celebrating reports of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s death. He highlighted the festive atmosphere among the large Iranian community in Los Angeles. In a separate interview with The Atlantic, Trump stated that Iran’s post-Khamenei leadership had signaled readiness to resume negotiations that had collapsed the previous week. Trump added that he was willing to engage in talks with the new Iranian leadership, saying that such discussions should have occurred earlier. The situation marks a potential shift in US-Iran relations following the reported leadership change in Tehran.

The United States and Israel launched a large-scale offensive against Iran on Friday, striking 24 of its 31 provinces. According to Iranian state media, at least 201 people were killed, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and several senior military and civilian officials. In retaliation, Iran carried out missile and drone attacks on Israeli and US positions across the Middle East. Israeli media reported that at least 40 buildings were destroyed in Tel Aviv, forcing more than 200 residents to relocate to hotels. In Beit Shammash, nine people were killed and 27 injured. Iran also targeted US bases in the region, claiming strikes on 27 installations. The United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Qatar were hit for a second consecutive day, with explosions reported in Doha and Dubai. The UAE Defense Ministry said it intercepted most of the 165 ballistic missiles and 541 drones launched by Iran, though three expatriates were killed and 58 injured. The escalation followed the collapse of nuclear talks between Iran and the US, which had resumed in Muscat and Geneva earlier in February.

Following U.S. and Israeli attacks in Iran, hundreds of passengers bound for the Middle East have been stranded at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka. Since Saturday, 54 flights to destinations including Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Italy have been canceled due to temporary airspace closures and security risks. Many travelers now face visa expiry and missed connections, with some unable to contact airlines or travel agencies for updates. Civil Aviation and Tourism State Minister M. Rashiduzzaman Millat said the suspended flights would be rescheduled and passengers given sufficient time to travel. He added that the ministry, in coordination with other government bodies, is monitoring the situation to minimize passenger hardship. The Prime Minister is reportedly overseeing passenger welfare, including food and accommodation arrangements. Biman Bangladesh Airlines announced that flights to all Middle Eastern destinations except Doha, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi will operate on schedule. US-Bangla Airlines resumed flights to Riyadh, Jeddah, and Muscat but temporarily suspended services to the UAE and Qatar until conditions improve.

A Bangladeshi national has been identified among those killed in a retaliatory Iranian missile strike in the United Arab Emirates. The deceased, Saleh Uddin alias Ahmad Ali, aged 48, was from Gaziteka village under Barlekha municipality in Moulvibazar. His family in Bangladesh confirmed his death on Sunday night, March 1, after receiving information from relatives in the UAE. Saleh was reportedly killed when an Iranian missile hit Ajman city amid escalating regional conflict following U.S.-Israel attacks on Iran. According to family sources, Saleh had been living in Ajman for many years and worked as a water truck driver. On Saturday evening, while performing his regular duties, a missile struck the area, injuring several people. Saleh was taken to a local hospital where doctors declared him dead. His relatives in Bangladesh had heard unconfirmed reports of his death earlier but received confirmation the following day. The incident highlights the growing regional tension that has extended its impact to expatriate communities in the Gulf region.

Newly appointed administrator of Khulna City Corporation (KCC), Nazrul Islam Manju, has pledged to transform the institution into a corruption-free and citizen-friendly organization. Speaking after formally taking charge on Sunday afternoon, he said KCC would become a one hundred percent corruption-free body. He promised to work closely with residents to understand their problems and ensure equal civic services for all, without bias or hostility. Manju stated that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had expressed a desire to reshape Khulna and entrusted him with that responsibility. He vowed to perform his duties with honesty and dedication, rejecting any form of commission trading in development projects. The new administrator emphasized transparency, accountability, and sustainable development as his guiding principles. Before assuming office, Khulna Divisional Commissioner Mokhter Ahmed, an additional secretary, formally handed over the administrative responsibilities to him. Manju, a former BNP leader and ex-MP for Khulna-2, was appointed under a government notification issued on February 22 that named administrators for six city corporations across the country.

A missile fired from Iran struck West Jerusalem on March 2, 2026, injuring six people, according to reports cited by Al Jazeera. The attack triggered air raid sirens across the city, followed by several loud explosions. Israel’s military confirmed that missiles had been launched from Iran toward Israeli territory and stated that its defense systems were actively responding. Authorities instructed residents to remain in safe shelters. Israel’s emergency ambulance service reported rescuing several injured individuals from the site, including a 50-year-old man in serious condition and five others with minor injuries who received initial treatment. Video footage published by Israeli media showed the missile hitting a roadway, leaving a large crater and severely damaging a nearby vehicle. The incident marks a significant escalation in regional tensions, with Israel’s defense forces maintaining high alert and emergency services continuing operations in the affected area.

The Supreme Court Bar Association of Bangladesh has postponed its 2026–2027 executive committee election to May 13 and 14. The decision was made at a special meeting held on Sunday at the association’s South Hall after candidates and general members requested that the election not be held during Ramadan. The election was originally scheduled for March 11 and 12, with nomination submission and withdrawal deadlines already announced. According to the earlier schedule, nomination forms were sold from February 19, with submissions accepted until March 1 and withdrawals allowed until March 4. The special meeting suspended that timetable, and the association stated that a new schedule will be issued in line with the revised voting dates. The election will fill 14 posts, including president, vice presidents, secretary, treasurer, joint secretaries, and executive members. The last election took place on March 6–7, 2024, and was marred by violence and allegations of vote rigging. Following political changes on August 5, an ad hoc committee was formed to manage the association’s affairs until the next election.

The US Department of Defense informed Congress that it found no clear evidence Iran had planned a preemptive strike against the United States before the recent joint US-Israel attack. According to a Reuters report, Pentagon officials told congressional staff in a closed-door meeting that Iran’s ballistic missile program and allied forces were viewed as immediate threats to US interests. However, they acknowledged that there was no specific intelligence indicating Tehran had planned to attack US forces in advance. The report noted that officials from the Trump administration had previously claimed there were signs Iran might carry out a preemptive strike. The new Pentagon assessment has raised questions about the validity of those earlier claims. The disclosure adds a new dimension to ongoing debates in Washington about the accuracy of intelligence assessments and the justification for military actions involving Iran.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has sent a letter to United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres and the UN Security Council condemning the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a joint attack by the United States and Israel. In the letter, Araghchi described the assault as a violation of international law and called for accountability from the governments of both countries. The letter urged the UN to fulfill its responsibilities under the UN Charter to maintain international peace and security. Iran requested that the organization take immediate, firm, and effective measures to ensure full accountability for what it termed a brutal act of terrorism. The report also noted that the United States and its Gulf allies have described Iran’s recent actions as dangerous, reflecting heightened regional tensions following the incident.

U.S. President Donald Trump said he killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei before Khamenei could attack him. Trump made the statement in an interview with ABC News, saying Iran had tried twice to target him but he struck first. His remarks are being linked to an alleged 2024 assassination attempt against him involving Iran. Iranian media confirmed that Khamenei was killed in recent U.S. and Israeli strikes that began on Saturday, February 28. The attacks reportedly caused extensive damage in Iran. Semi-official news agencies Tasnim and Fars confirmed Khamenei’s death on Sunday, March 1. Following the death, Iran’s government declared seven days of public holiday and forty days of national mourning, marking a significant moment of political and regional tension.

At least 31 people were killed and 149 others injured in an Israeli airstrike on Lebanon, according to the country’s health ministry. The ministry reported that many of the injured were civilians and were being treated at various hospitals. Officials warned that the death toll could rise as several victims remain in critical condition. Details about the exact targets and extent of the damage have not yet been fully clarified. Local sources said rescue operations are ongoing in the affected areas, where the security situation remains tense. The incident has drawn international concern, with calls for restraint from all parties to prevent further escalation. The health ministry continues to monitor the situation as emergency teams work to assist those affected and assess the full impact of the attack.

U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders has publicly questioned President Donald Trump’s decision to order an attack on Iran. In an Instagram post on Sunday, Sanders wrote that Trump justified the strike by claiming Iran should not possess nuclear weapons, a reasoning Sanders appeared to challenge. Referring to statements made in June, Sanders noted that Trump had previously declared Iran’s nuclear facilities completely destroyed after a 12-day conflict. He concluded his post with the remark, “Vietnam, Iraq, Iran. Another lie, another war,” suggesting skepticism toward the administration’s justification for military action. The post adds to ongoing debate in the United States over the rationale and transparency behind recent military operations targeting Iran.

Japan’s stock market suffered a sharp decline on Monday following military strikes by the United States and Israel in Iran, which reignited global economic concerns. According to AFP reports from Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 index dropped 2.07 percent to 57,628.07 points in early trading, marking a significant setback at the start of the week. Analysts attributed the fall to heightened tensions in the Middle East, which have created uncertainty and fear among investors. The resulting anxiety has spread across Asian markets, leading to widespread caution. Many investors have reportedly adopted a wait-and-see approach as they monitor the evolving situation. The report noted that the sudden and steep decline reflects the sensitivity of regional markets to geopolitical developments, particularly those involving energy-producing regions like the Middle East.