Govt shuts ‘peace schools’

Education ministry has closed all unapproved peace schools across the country for their involvement in controversial activities, said a ministry statement on Tuesday.
The education ministry issued an order regarding closure of all peace schools and urged home ministry to take immediate steps to close unapproved peace schools across the country, the statement said.
There are at least 28 schools in capital Dhaka as well as in other districts which were allegedly being operated in line with the controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik’s ideals by adding ‘Peace’ to their names, said officials.
Although names were almost similar, these schools were run by different people, they said
All but Peace International School at Lalmatia in Dhaka were unapproved, they added.
Education ministry had asked Dhaka Education Board to cancel the approval of the Peace International School at Lalmatia for involving in controversial activities, said the press statement.
Officials said government took the decision of closure barely three weeks after it was decided on July 10 to stop the airing of the programmes of Peace TV in Bangladesh amid allegations that its owner Zakir Naik’s preaching motivated youths to become militants.
Zakir Naik’s speeches were reported to have influenced at least one of the five terrorists involved in the terror attack at Holey Artisan Bakery in the capital’s Gulshan.
Zakir Naik is the founder and president of Peace TV owned by his charity organisation, Islamic Research Foundation. The contents of the TV are broadcast from Dubai in English, Urdu and Bangla.

News Courtesy: www.newagebd.net