News Flash
DHAKA, July 27, 2025 (BSS) - Marking the first anniversary of the July Uprising 2024, an international conference titled 'International Conference on July Revolution- ICJR 1-2025' was held at the Dhaka University here today.
The conference brought together scholars and politicians from different countries who discussed July Uprising from their national viewpoints.
The program was organized with the joint venture of Research and Integrated Thought (RIT), a Dhaka-based think tank, and the Department of Political Science at Dhaka University with many other co-organizers.
The daylong conference was designed in three separate segments including inaugural, paper and poster presentations and plenary sessions.
Housing and Public Works Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan inaugurated the conference as the chief guest.
Editor of Amar Desh Dr. Mahmudur Rahman, parents of Martyred Jahiduzzaman Tanvin, DU Pro-VC Mamun Ahmed, former US diplomat John Danilowicz spoke, among others, in the opening session of the conference.
In the plenary session, Nurul Izzah Anwar, Deputy President of Malaysian Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) highlighted the need for economic sovereignty, worker protection, prison reforms, and safeguarding national wealth through sovereign institutions like Malaysia’s EPF and PNB.
She also calls for renewed global solidarity, responsible governance, and social media regulation to combat disinformation and polarization.
"I speak to you as a fellow Asian, a political activist, and a representative of Malaysia’s People's Justice Party. Our youth in both nations have shown unshakable courage in pursuit of dignity and justice," she added.
"In these trying times, marked by global suffering and genocide in Gaza, we must not retreat into despair but strengthen our moral positioning. Solidarity must be both our shield and our roadmap," she said, extending need for Economic sovereignty must and support the vulnerable.
"The July Revolution is not a memory—it’s a mandate. Let us rise, united in struggle, to redefine power for the marginalized," she added.
Speaking as the special guest, Chief Adviser's envoy for international affairs, Dr. Lutfey Siddiqi said, "It’s exactly a year since the uprising. The sacrifices that were made have brought us to this moment, allowing us to reflect on the opportunity and the possibility of a new Bangladesh."
"As the interim government, our task in the remaining months is to create that addiction—to instill a mindset that reform is not optional or temporary, but essential and permanent. We must build momentum that no future government can reverse," he said, seeking kind coordination from academia sectors.
Following the 1st anniversary of July Uprising, he said, "Anniversary is only meaningful if we show respect for those who sacrificed. And to me, that respect should be served as a report card of our deeds, not just as celebrations".
DU treasurer Prof. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said, two primary fears compelled him during the movement: the potential loss of Bangladesh’s sovereignty, and the risk of it becoming a failed state.
He urged for necessary reforms to avoid this fate and to build a successful future for Bangladesh.
Prof. Alam outlined the key areas for reforms including, rebuilding national institutions such as the judiciary, law enforcement, bureaucracy, and electoral bodies to serve the people rather than powerful individuals.
“We must rebuild our institutions, our judiciary, our law enforcement, our bureaucracy, our election commission, so they serve the people, not just a few individuals,” he said.
Speaking as the special guest, Prof. Dr. Yasin Aktay, former Deputy Chairman of Turkish AK party, elaborated the need for maintaining the spirit of revolutions and the challenges faced by Muslim countries in establishing democracy in post-colonialism time.
Drawing parallels with the Arab Spring, he marked July Revolution in Bangladesh as a symbol of hope and aspiration for independence from colonial and imperialist powers.
Criticizing the involvement of foreign powers, particularly Israel and Western nations, in undermining democratic movements in the Muslim world, he said, "Turkiye is always against occupation and occupant like Israel."
Speaking as the chair of the session, DU acting Vice-Chancellor Prof. Sayema Haque Bidisha expressed hopes to empower and mobilize the youth with knowledge, skills, and educational resources to build an inclusive, discrimination-free Bangladesh.
"The Bangladesh that we are actually dreaming of, a new Bangladesh, a Bangladesh which is an inclusive Bangladesh, discrimination free Bangladesh and we hope that through this conference we will be able to accumulate ideas from scholars from abroad and the country," she noted.
Speaking as the key note speaker, Professor emeritus of University of Peace in Costa Rica, Dr. Amr Abdalla highlighted the role of youth and the catalysts behind the July Uprising comparing it with Arab Spring movement.
He also laid emphasis on nonviolent resistance in gaining wider public support and the importance of media in communication and coordination during the movement and praised the unity across different nations, such as Muslims protecting Hindus during the movement.
A cultural session has been scheduled to be held at the TSC auditorium this evening on the occasion. Law Adviser Asif Nazrul and Cultural Affairs adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki is expected to attend the programme.
