Islami Bank Bangladesh held a virtual board meeting late Monday night under what reports described as pressure from Bangladesh Bank. The meeting, chaired by newly appointed chairman Khurshid Alam, lasted about 40 minutes and included five board members. During the session, the resignation of Managing Director Omar Faruk Khan was accepted, and Altaf Hossain was assigned as acting MD until a new appointment is made. According to Bangladesh Bank spokesperson Arif Hossain Khan, the meeting was held with the central bank’s permission, and no direct pressure was exerted. He clarified that online meetings can be conducted outside regular banking hours. The meeting was originally planned to be held in person but was shifted online due to protests by customers outside the bank’s head office in Dhaka. Earlier in May, former chairman M. Zubaidur Rahman resigned, and Khurshid Alam, a former deputy governor of Bangladesh Bank, was appointed as the new chairman. His appointment has faced opposition from a political faction linked to the bank, leading to ongoing demonstrations, including Monday’s protest in Dhaka.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has commented on a proposal seeking approval for Chattogram City Corporation Mayor Dr. Shahadat Hossain and five officials to visit Florida, USA, to observe innovative mosquito control programs. The proposal, funded by foreign firm Valent BioSciences LLC, was submitted by the Local Government Division to the Prime Minister’s Office for approval. In his written observation, the Prime Minister stated that there is no need to travel to Florida to learn mosquito control methods, suggesting that spending a few hours beside local ponds in the evening could yield innovative ideas. His remark has sparked wide discussion across social media and administrative circles, with many interpreting it as a call to reassess the necessity and public value of foreign trips by government officials. According to relevant sources, the Local Government Division will take necessary steps regarding the final decision on the proposed visit.

A 22-year-old midwifery intern died on Monday while undergoing treatment for measles-like symptoms at the ICU of Sylhet Shaheed Shamsuddin Ahmed Measles Dedicated Hospital. The hospital’s resident medical officer, Dr. Mizanur Rahman, confirmed the death, stating that the young nurse had been suffering from symptoms consistent with measles. According to hospital sources, the intern had been receiving treatment for an extended period at a private facility, Ragib-Rabeya Hospital, but her condition did not improve. As her health deteriorated further, she was admitted to the Shaheed Shamsuddin Ahmed Hospital on Sunday, May 31, and passed away the following morning despite intensive medical efforts. The deceased was a resident of Bishwambharpur upazila in Sunamganj and was completing her midwifery internship at the Companiganj Upazila Health Complex in Sylhet. Her untimely death has cast a shadow of grief over the local health department and her colleagues, who have expressed deep sorrow at the loss.

A 70-foot statue of footballer Lionel Messi was removed from Lake Town, Kolkata, following claims by the state’s Public Works Department and Urban Development Minister Agnimitra Paul that its foundation bolts had loosened during a storm, posing safety risks. The statue, unveiled last December in Messi’s presence, had become a symbol of pride for sports-loving Bengalis. Authorities said it was taken down by crane to prevent accidents. However, the removal has sparked criticism and questions among citizens about why the statue was not repaired instead of being completely removed. The report suggests that this action reflects a broader pattern of demolition and eviction under the current BJP government, which has been accused of prioritizing destruction over maintenance or improvement of existing structures. Officials stated that the statue is currently in the custody of the Public Works Department and may later be relocated to Rabindra Sarobar or Eco Park, though the plan remains uncertain.

Bangladesh Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman returned to the country on Monday after performing the holy Hajj pilgrimage. The Inter-Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR) confirmed his return in an official statement issued on June 1, 2026. According to the ISPR release, General Waker-Uz-Zaman had traveled to Saudi Arabia on May 22 to perform Hajj. His return marks the completion of his pilgrimage along with thousands of other Bangladeshi pilgrims who have also started arriving back in the country. The report noted that a total of 11,613 Bangladeshi pilgrims have returned home so far after completing Hajj this year.

Independent Ibtedayi madrasa teachers, who have been staging a continuous sit-in protest in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka, announced a new program on Monday, the twelfth day of their demonstration. They declared that if their demands are not met, they will begin a 'Long March to the Secretariat' on Wednesday at 11 a.m. to seek meetings with the Prime Minister and the Education Minister. The announcement was made through a press release signed by Hafiz Maulana Mufti Abdul Hannan Hossain, member secretary of the Independent Ibtedayi Madrasa Teachers Welfare Committee. The teachers have been demanding the implementation of MPO (Monthly Pay Order) benefits for registered independent Ibtedayi madrasas verified under the 2025 policy, and the release of salaries for teachers approved by the Technical and Madrasa Education Division from January 2026. Their protest began on May 21 with a declaration of continuous sit-in and closure of related institutions. Earlier, on May 28, police stopped a group of teachers during a march to meet the Prime Minister, detaining six representatives who were later released. The teachers continue to urge government intervention to resolve their demands.

The High Court has declared the candidacy of Amjad Hossain Chowdhury for the president post of the Bangladesh Ship Breakers and Recyclers Association (BSBRA) valid, removing all legal barriers to his participation in the upcoming executive committee election scheduled for June 3. The verdict was delivered on Monday by a bench comprising Justice Bishnudev Chakraborty and Justice Asif Hasan. Following the hearing, senior lawyer Syed Mamun Mahbub stated that the court issued a rule asking why legal action should not be taken against the election board and other respondents for failing to comply with the prescribed conditions. The court directed that Chowdhury’s nomination paper be accepted immediately and that his name be included on the ballot paper to ensure equal opportunity in the election. According to the lawyers, the court’s order nullified attempts to create irregularities in the nomination process that allegedly favored a particular side, thereby reinforcing the rule of law and justice. Chowdhury now faces no legal obstacles to contesting the election.

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Islamic Affairs has begun distributing copies of the Holy Quran and its translated versions to pilgrims returning home after completing Hajj 2026. The initiative, launched on behalf of King Salman, started at Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport departure lounge to ensure international pilgrims can easily receive the gift before leaving the country. Seasonal field workers are also receiving copies under the same program. According to the Saudi Press Agency, a total of 1.9 million copies printed by the King Fahd Complex for Printing the Holy Quran in Madinah will be distributed. The translations cover more than 80 languages, allowing Muslims worldwide to study and understand the Quran’s message in their native tongues. The ministry stated that the distribution will continue around the clock for several days across all air, land, and sea ports. Minister Sheikh Abdullatif Al-Alsheikh said the initiative reflects Saudi leadership’s commitment to spreading the Quran’s message globally. The General Directorate of Passports has also begun managing the departure of the first groups of pilgrims, ensuring smooth travel amid increased post-Hajj passenger volumes.

At the fifth founding anniversary of the volunteer organization Austagram Blood Bank in Kishoreganj, freedom fighter and Member of Parliament Advocate Fazlur Rahman delivered a strongly worded speech criticizing Dr. Muhammad Yunus, Jamaat-e-Islami, and leaders of the anti-discrimination student movement. He alleged that the Jamaat-Yunus alliance had misled the youth and destroyed multiple generations through conspiracies. Rahman specifically accused Asif Mahmud and Hasnat Abdullah of corruption, claiming they demanded large sums of money from district officials after August 5. Speaking as the chief guest, Rahman described the current generation as misguided by political manipulation and lamented the decline of education, sports, culture, and genuine religious practice. He praised the young volunteers of Austagram Blood Bank for their humanitarian work, calling them the true strength of the future. The event featured speeches from local leaders and guests, distribution of T-shirts among members, and recognition of blood donors. The organization reported completing 10,695 blood donations in five years, with one donor contributing 151 times, setting a local record.

Bangladesh Bank has permitted Islami Bank to conduct a board meeting online, despite its own 2024 directive that prohibited virtual meetings for all banks. The meeting was called to introduce the bank’s newly appointed chairman, Khurshid Alam, who replaced M. Zubaidur Rahman after Rahman resigned on the central bank’s advice. However, the meeting could not take place due to protests by depositors under the Islami Bank Customer Forum, who gathered at the bank’s head office demanding the chairman’s removal and the return of allegedly laundered funds. According to the report, police officers were seen urging the bank’s managing director to proceed with the online meeting, while protesters demonstrated outside his office. The Bangladesh Bank spokesperson stated that a political party was interfering in the bank’s affairs and warned that no political influence would be tolerated in banking decisions. As of the report’s publication, protests continued outside Islami Bank’s headquarters, and the customer forum announced plans for human chains in front of all branches nationwide the following day.

ATM Azharul Islam, central committee member and Nayeb-e-Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, has alleged that the Home Minister has completely failed to maintain law and order in the country. Speaking as the chief guest at an Eid reunion organized by the Badarganj upazila unit of Jamaat at Badarganj High School auditorium on Monday afternoon, he said incidents of theft, robbery, extortion, and other crimes are occurring daily, often involving ruling party members. He further claimed that the Home Minister has neglected his responsibilities despite worsening security conditions that have left citizens fearful. Azhar accused the minister of being ineffective in combating drugs and said that many ruling party figures are involved in illegal activities such as gambling and drug trafficking. He also alleged that a neighboring country is facilitating drug production near the border to harm Bangladesh’s youth. Azhar additionally criticized the appointment of Khurshid Alam as chairman of Islami Bank, claiming it was part of a government effort to destroy the bank’s Islamic principles. The event was presided over by Badarganj upazila Ameer Kamruzzaman and attended by local Jamaat leaders.

Around 200 far-right Israeli nationalists entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem on Sunday, raising the Israeli flag and singing the national anthem under police protection, according to the Jerusalem Islamic Waqf. The group also performed Talmud-based prayers and took photographs near the Dome of the Rock, actions the Waqf described as provocative and in violation of established regulations governing the holy site. The Al-Aqsa Mosque, one of Islam’s holiest sites, operates under a long-standing status quo recognizing it as an exclusively Muslim place of worship administered by the Islamic Waqf under Jordanian supervision. Critics have long accused Israel of undermining this arrangement by facilitating frequent incursions by nationalist groups who conduct prayers and flag displays within the compound. Omar Rajoub, media director of the Jerusalem Governorate, said the flag-raising and religious acts were part of a deliberate Israeli policy to alter the site’s historical and legal standing. He claimed the actions aimed to impose new realities in East Jerusalem and erase its Islamic and historical identity, calling them clear violations of international law.

An event marking the 45th martyrdom anniversary of former President Ziaur Rahman was held at the Jhalokathi District Shilpakala Academy auditorium on Monday afternoon. The program, organized by the local BNP and its affiliated organizations, featured Dr. Ziauddin Haider, the Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on Health Affairs, as the chief guest. Dr. Haider described Ziaur Rahman as Bangladesh’s first elected president and the pioneer of multiparty democracy. He said Ziaur Rahman fought for independence, sovereignty, and democracy, and played a key role in political reform and restoring citizens’ right to free expression. He highlighted Ziaur Rahman’s contributions to agriculture, industry, and infrastructure, including canal excavation programs, export expansion, and the establishment of export processing zones. Dr. Haider urged the younger generation to study Ziaur Rahman’s life and philosophy, emphasizing the importance of learning from his statecraft. He also noted that BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman focuses on development and employment rather than political vengeance, aiming to build a modern and prosperous Bangladesh.

Muslim student Suheila Mukhtar drew international attention after reciting verses from the Holy Quran at Harvard University’s 2026 commencement ceremony. On May 26, during the opening session that featured readings from various religious texts, she recited the first few verses of Surah Al-Alaq. Her melodious recitation captivated attendees and received widespread praise across social media platforms. Suheila completed her undergraduate studies at Harvard for the 2022–2026 academic term, earning recognition for both academic excellence and community service. In 2024, she was honored as a ‘John Harvard Scholar’ and ‘Prize Fellow’. Her published research covers medical science, women’s empowerment, digitalization, and surgical studies. She is also actively involved with several health and social service organizations at the university and currently volunteers at a hospital, continuing her engagement in community-oriented initiatives.

Police detained ten people after Awami League supporters chanted 'Joy Bangla' slogans following the funeral prayer of party leader Tofail Ahmed at Takwa Mosque in Dhanmondi, Dhaka, on Monday evening. The detainees were taken to Dhanmondi Police Station, though their identities were not disclosed. According to police, the incident occurred around 7:15 p.m. when supporters began chanting slogans after the funeral. Officers used batons to disperse the crowd and detained several individuals. Additional Deputy Police Commissioner (ADC) Zisanul Haque of Dhanmondi Zone stated that police acted to ensure the smooth movement of the funeral vehicle and detained those who created disorder. The report did not mention any injuries or further legal actions following the detentions.