A mass signature campaign demanding that Qadianis be declared non-Muslims by the state was launched in Dhaka on Friday. The event took place at the north gate of the National Mosque Baitul Mukarram, organized by religious groups including the Sammilito Khatme Nabuwat Parishad. Various clerics such as Maulana Mohiuddin Rabbani, Maulana Rashid Ahmad, and others attended the inauguration, where participants from different professions joined the initiative. Speakers at the event stated that public opinion on this issue has existed for a long time and that the collected signatures will be formally submitted to the relevant government authorities. They emphasized that the campaign will continue across different districts of the country, with plans to submit all collected signatures within a set timeframe. Religious leaders at the event argued that declaring Qadianis as non-Muslims would protect the core identity of Islam and end long-standing religious and social confusion. They cited examples of other Muslim-majority countries where similar declarations have been made.

A two-day Amar Ekushey Book Fair has begun in Rajshahi, organized by the Rajshahi Writers Collective. The event started on Friday at the city’s Batar Mor area. Organizers said the fair is dedicated to commemorating the martyrs of the historic Language Movement. The fair will remain open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. According to the organizers, the celebration aims to honor the spirit of the Language Movement through books, poetry, and discussions. Alongside works by local authors and publishers from Rajshahi, books from writers and publishers across the country are being displayed. Some rare publications are also featured at the fair. Writers and poets from the region attended the inauguration ceremony, marking the beginning of two days of literary exchange and remembrance in Rajshahi.

State Minister for Housing and Public Works Ahmed Sohel Manzur Suman has directed the local administration to take strict measures against extortion and ensure that prices of essential commodities remain stable during Ramadan. He emphasized that no dishonest group should be allowed to create an artificial crisis to increase public suffering. The instructions were given on Friday morning at a discussion meeting held at the Pirojpur Circuit House, focusing on law and order, market monitoring, and ongoing development activities. During the meeting, the minister announced integrated initiatives for infrastructural development, road repairs, government building construction, and river erosion prevention across the seven upazilas of Pirojpur district. He said visible development would be ensured through coordinated planning, with special emphasis on education, health, and communication sectors. The meeting was attended by the Pirojpur Superintendent of Police Mohammad Manzur Ahmed Siddiqui, Deputy Commissioner Abu Sayeed, and local political leaders. The Deputy Commissioner assured stronger market monitoring and mobile court operations, while the Superintendent of Police pledged maximum vigilance to maintain law and order.

Opposition Chief Whip of the National Parliament, Nahid Islam, will pay tribute to the language martyrs at the Central Shaheed Minar on the occasion of Shaheed Dibas and International Mother Language Day. According to the announcement, he will place a floral wreath at midnight on Friday, marking the beginning of the observance. Following his tribute, the National Citizen Party (NCP) will lay another wreath on behalf of the party at 12:30 a.m. Party leaders and activists are scheduled to proceed from Palashi intersection to the Shaheed Minar at that time. The information was officially released by the NCP on Friday evening. The event is part of the nationwide observance of the historic day, which honors those who sacrificed their lives for the Bengali language. The NCP’s participation underscores its respect for the martyrs and commitment to preserving the spirit of the language movement.

Meghmallar Basu, former president of the Dhaka University unit of Bangladesh Chhatra Union and organizer of Network for Peoples Action, reportedly attempted suicide on Friday afternoon. He was admitted to Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital in Dhaka in critical condition after consuming around 20 sleeping pills. Hospital sources said his condition deteriorated rapidly before he was taken to the hospital, where doctors placed him under intensive observation. The latest reports indicate that his condition has become somewhat stable. Multiple sources confirmed the incident. Jaber Ahmed Jubel, general secretary of Biplobi Chhatra Maitri, said Basu is currently under treatment. However, the reason behind his action remains unclear. Anik Roy, another organizer of Network for Peoples Action and former general secretary of Chhatra Union, stated that Basu had been physically unwell since an operation. He took some sleeping pills on Thursday night and lost consciousness before being hospitalized. Roy added that Basu is now out of danger. No official explanation has yet been provided by his organization regarding the cause of the incident.

Bangladesh Women’s ‘A’ team advanced to the final of the Asia Cup Rising Stars tournament after a commanding 54-run victory over Pakistan Women’s ‘A’ team in Bangkok. Batting first, Bangladesh posted 110 for 8 in 20 overs, with captain Fahima Khatun leading from the front by scoring an unbeaten 40 off 32 balls. Despite regular wickets falling at the other end, she anchored the innings effectively, while Sharmin Sultana contributed 15 runs. Pakistan struggled in their chase, losing early wickets and managing only 21 runs in the first six overs. Fahima Khatun turned the match decisively with the ball, taking two wickets for just four runs in her first two overs. Pakistan’s batting collapsed to 56 all out in 16.4 overs, with Sanjida Akter emerging as the most successful bowler, claiming three wickets for six runs. Fahima Khatun was named player of the match for her all-round performance. Bangladesh Women’s ‘A’ team will face India Women’s ‘A’ team in the tournament final on Sunday.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Md. Sajjat Ali has called on traders to fully cooperate with magistrates from the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection during market inspection drives. He made the appeal on Friday afternoon while briefing journalists at Moulvibazar under Chawkbazar Police Station. The DMP Commissioner said that such cooperation would help maintain transparency and fair pricing in the markets. He also sought the cooperation of all business leaders to keep commodity prices at a reasonable level during the upcoming Ramadan. Additionally, he emphasized that no adulteration of food products would be tolerated and urged everyone to remain alert and cautious. The briefing was attended by Additional Police Commissioner (Crime and Operations) S. N. Md. Nazrul Islam, leaders of the Moulvibazar Business Association, and representatives from the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection.

Jaima Rahman, daughter of Bangladesh’s Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman, shared an emotional post on Facebook on Friday, February 20, 2026, at 4 p.m. In her verified page post, she described her father as the most hardworking and dedicated person she has ever known, calling him her first and greatest role model in life. In the post, Jaima reflected on childhood beliefs about fathers being capable of everything and said her father embodies that ideal. She expressed deep trust in him, stating that he is the one person she can always rely on in any situation. Toward the end of her message, she expressed hope that the people of Bangladesh would soon witness his exceptional qualities and that his love and patriotism for the country had brought him to his current position. Jaima concluded by expressing her belief that these qualities would establish Tarique Rahman as a true Prime Minister of the nation, reflecting her admiration and confidence in his leadership.

Bangladesh Bank has announced a contractual appointment for the position of Director in its Secretary Department. The appointment will be for a two-year term, according to a notice published on the bank’s website on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. Interested candidates must submit their applications by March 15, 2026, either in person, by post, or via email to the Human Resources Department-1 at the bank’s head office in Dhaka. The position requires a postgraduate degree along with a four-year honors degree in economics, management, marketing, accounting and information systems, finance, banking and insurance, or any other relevant field. Applicants must hold a Chartered Secretary or equivalent qualification and have at least 15 years of experience in a first-class or equivalent position, including a minimum of three years as a board or company secretary in a corporate, banking, or financial institution. The age limit for applicants is between 40 and 55 years, and the salary will be determined through discussion. The recruitment aims to fill a single director-level vacancy in the Secretary Department under a fixed-term contract, reflecting Bangladesh Bank’s continued focus on experienced leadership in administrative management.

A mobile court in Shibchar upazila of Madaripur conducted a special drive on Friday morning to keep essential commodity prices stable during the holy month of Ramadan. The operation, led by Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Executive Magistrate Shaikha Sultana, fined seven traders a total of Tk 12,000 for irregularities including overpricing, underweight sales, and selling goat and sheep meat at the same rate. Before launching the drive, the magistrate wore a burqa and visited various shops in disguise as a regular buyer to observe market prices. After identifying violations, she carried out the formal operation under sections 37, 38, and 40 of the Consumer Rights Protection Act, 2009. Police from Shibchar station assisted in the enforcement. Authorities warned traders against forming syndicates or creating artificial shortages. Magistrate Sultana stated that such monitoring and enforcement actions would continue throughout Ramadan to protect public interest, with plans to intensify market surveillance in the coming weeks.

Former Managing Director of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, Shafiqul Rahman alias Safiqul Rahman, has been sent to jail in a case filed over the alleged torture of an eleven-year-old domestic worker. The order was issued on Friday by Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Albiruni Mir. According to the prosecution, after completion of remand, both Rahman and domestic worker Sufia Begum were produced before the court. While Rahman refused to give a confessional statement, Sufia provided her statement before the magistrate. The case was filed by hotel worker Golam Mostafa, father of the victim, who alleged that his daughter was severely injured while working at Rahman’s residence in Uttara Sector 9. The child was reportedly burned and beaten by Rahman, his wife Bithi, and unidentified others. Following her rescue, she was admitted to Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmad Medical College Hospital in Gazipur. Earlier, Rahman, his wife, and two others had been arrested and placed on remand for interrogation. The court has now ordered Rahman and Sufia to be sent to jail, while Bithi remains in remand as the investigation continues.

The central committee of the Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) has suspended Atiqur Rahman Atiq, joint convener of the Comilla University unit, for two months following allegations of involvement in a violent clash over hall seat allocation and bringing outsiders into the dormitory. The incident reportedly left a party activist injured, with his nose fractured. The decision was announced in a press release issued by the JCD central committee on Friday, February 20, 2026. According to the statement, Atiqur Rahman was suspended on specific charges of violating organizational discipline. The decision was approved by JCD president Rakibul Islam Rakib and general secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir. Other accused individuals include joint convener and former student Mohammad Saiful Islam, as well as students Tarikul and Sifat from later academic sessions. The injured activists were identified as Mazharul Islam Abir from the Anthropology Department, Tofayel Ahmed Nibir from the Economics Department, and Saurav Kabya from the Accounting and Information Systems Department. All are reportedly involved in JCD politics at the university.

A video showing the hoisting of party and national flags at the banned Awami League city office adjacent to Faridpur Kotwali police station went viral on social media on Friday, February 20, 2026. Several leaders and activists of the district’s Jubo League and Chhatra League reportedly took part in the event around 7:30 a.m. The video shows former city Jubo League general secretary Asibur Rahman Farhan, former Rajendra College Chhatra League VP Kawsar Akand, district Jubo League members Himel and Mahfuz, and former district Chhatra League vice president Debashish Nayan raising the flags and chanting slogans. Witnesses said a brief gathering followed the flag-raising. All participants are listed as fugitives in a murder case related to the July Movement. In the video, Debashish Nayan is heard saying the office was reopened under the direction of Mujibur Rahman Chowdhury Nixon and leadership of Farhan and Kawsar. When contacted, Faridpur Kotwali police officer-in-charge Mohammad Shahidul Islam said he was unaware of the incident, despite the office being located next to the police station.

Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim called Bangladesh’s newly elected Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Friday, February 20, at 3 p.m. to convey his congratulations and best wishes. During the phone conversation, the Malaysian leader expressed his commitment to working together with Bangladesh on various bilateral issues in the future. In response, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman thanked Anwar Ibrahim for his warm greetings and emphasized his determination to advance the development and prosperity of both nations through mutual cooperation. The exchange highlighted a shared intention to strengthen bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Malaysia. The conversation underscored both leaders’ willingness to deepen collaboration in areas of mutual interest, signaling continuity in friendly ties between the two countries.

Severe restrictions were enforced on worshippers attending prayers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound on the first Friday of Ramadan, according to Al Jazeera journalist Nour Odeh. She reported that out of 3.3 million residents in the occupied West Bank, only 10,000 were granted permission to enter. Historically, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have spent time at the site during Ramadan as part of a centuries-old tradition. Speaking from the Qalandiya checkpoint, Odeh described the limited access as symbolic of broader restrictions, noting that in previous years up to 250,000 worshippers gathered for a single Friday prayer. This year, attendance is expected to be far lower, with entry mainly granted to Palestinians from the occupied West Bank, East Jerusalem, and inside Israel. She also reported that hundreds were being held at the checkpoint, prevented from reaching the mosque. Odeh said the new restrictions weaken social and religious ties among Palestinians, calling the inability to break fast in Jerusalem another means of separating East Jerusalem from the rest of the occupied West Bank.