Dhaka: controversy over misogynist and Islamist comments by a national cricket team player

Tanzim Hasan Sakib, 20, proved his talent during the Asian Cup. But in the meantime, some of his old posts in which he criticised mixed university environments and the freedom given to women have gone viral. The Bangladesh Cricket Board made no statement and the country's leading daily newspaper did not cover the story.

Dhaka (AsiaNews) - The misogynistic and Islamist comments of a young cricket player, who recently joined the national team, have raised a hornet's nest in Bangladeshi social media. Tanzim Hasan Sakib, 20, plays as a pacer and showcased his talent in the match against India in the Asia Cup on September 16. After being inundated with praise from fans, some of his old Facebook posts went viral.

On September 9, 2022, for example, Sakib wrote a polemic about whether women should not work: “If the wife works outside the home, the husband's rights are not satisfied; if the wife works, the child's needs are not met; if the wife works, her charm is lost; if the wife works, the family is destroyed; if the wife works, society is destroyed."

In another post he argued for the need for women to wear the burqa, which covers the entire body and face, and then said that Muslims should not participate in Hindu religious festivals and those who do will face the wrath of Allah.

Through his social pages Sakib follows several radical Islamists, including the Indian Zakir Naik, of whom he has reposted some videos. In the 2016 Gulshan Café attack in which 24 people were killed, two Islamist militants were inspired by Zakir Naik.

Before the cricket tournament he also criticized the free mixing of university students on social media: “Marrying a girl who is used to mixed gatherings during university life means that she will never be able to be a dignified mother for your child” .

As a result, many internet users have expressed their disapproval to the Bangladesh Cricket Board, the state body that regulates sports in the country, for including the cricketer in the international set-up. Some even support Sakib's removal from the team, arguing that someone with such beliefs should not be included among international players, who are often held up as role models by younger generations.

Asad Noor, a blogger and human rights defender, shared a video on Facebook in which he expressed concern that Sakib "will play many international matches and may engage in jihad." Even Nijhom Majumder, a well-known lawyer, compared him "to the Taliban of Afghanistan.

"Sakib is an extremist, he is speaking against women and other people of faith. He should be punished." While the writer Swakrito Noman shared an opinion on Facebook: "Bangladeshi women work in various public and private sectors including army, navy, air force, and police. Women run schools, colleges, universities, secretariats, ministries, parliaments and even countries. According to Sakib, these women workers do not they have charm, they are destroying the family and society."

Noman also suggested that the Bangladesh Cricket Board should question Sakib about his offensive comments and apologise. So far Sakib has not released any statement on the issue and has not responded to AsiaNews' contact requests. The Bangladesh Cricket Board also made no statement and the country's largest newspaper did not cover the matter.

According to some users who appreciated Sabik's statements on social media, the cricketer "has made the true image of society" of Bangladesh.

• Bangladesh
• cricket
• estremisti
• Islam
• donne
• burqa