Professor Abul Kasem Fazlul Haque: Young Leadership is Key to Bangladesh's Future

Professor Abul Kasem Fazlul Haque, an esteemed academic and social analyst, has passed away. Known for his insightful writings on national consciousness and political thought, his notable works include 'Muktisangram' and 'Moral Consciousness: Religion and Ideology.' A posthumous interview, originally published on his 83rd birthday on September 30, 2022, reveals his perspectives on Bangladesh's challenges and potential. Professor Haque believed that while humanity faces recurring crises, it also possesses the capacity to overcome them through collective effort. He observed that despite advancements in science and technology leading to increased global wealth, a lack of fairness prevents all people from living with dignity. He criticized the persistent geopolitical conflicts and the failure of major global powers to advance humanistically, citing the Ukraine war as an example of continued adversarial mindsets. Domestically, Professor Haque identified political and cultural crises as Bangladesh's primary issues, lamenting the early struggles to establish a robust democratic system, even recalling the disruption of student union elections in 1973. He expressed hope for the future, emphasizing that the nation's potential can only be realized with the emergence of dynamic young leadership. He advocated for young people to step forward, learn from the experience of their elders, but ultimately act with their own intellect and conviction, drawing parallels to historical youth movements. Professor Haque also critiqued political parties for failing to present people-centric programs, noting that recent movements have lacked concrete solutions for the populace.