Bangladesh's Prime Minister Wants Islam As Official Religion, But Freedom For Other Religions As Well

Last year, Bangladesh's Supreme Court restored certain provisions in the country's 1972 Constitution, thereby reverting to provisions that affirm secularism in the country.  At the same time, Parliament crated a committee to propose amendments to the Constitution to comply with the Court's order. (See prior posting.) Now, according to On Islam yesterday, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has told the Parliamentary committee that she favors retaining Islam as the state religion in the constitution. Hasina wants the Arabic phrase "Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim" (In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate) to remain above the Constitution's Preamble.  She also wants to add a provision guaranteeing that all other religions may be practiced in peace in the country.