Independent University, Bangladesh

ANT499
Senior Report/ Internship

Research Title
“Anti Semitism in Bangladesh: A​ n Ethnographic
Study on Gross Hate Culture​”

Supervised By
Mohammad Mahfuzul Islam
Senior Lecturer, SLASS

Submitted By
Golam Moula Bhuiyan
Student ID:​ 1320082
Major:​ Anthropology
Minor:​ Sociology
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ABSTRACT
This ethnographic academic work has been
dedicated to explain the roots of hate culture in
Bangladesh. Anti Semitism is a harmful practice
of hate culture that should be removed. It should
have no place in a country like Bangladesh which
fight against all sorts of religiously motivated
political form of hatred during Independence
struggle in 1971. The popular notion of public
sentiment of Anti Semitism has been motivated
by social, political and religious perspectives of
delegitimization, demonization and double
standard to define Jewishness. For example
describing Jews as untrustworthy, unjust and
miserly social beings than others, Jewsih national
entity of Israel as political oppressor on Palestine
and Judaism as religiously rival of Islam. These
negative interpretation of Jews or Israel or
Judaism has influenced the growth of hate culture
among the Muslim population of Bangladesh,
where positiveness of Jewsih people has
completely been ignored for the reason of blind
nature of detestation. There are three different

ANTI-SEMITISM IN definitions on Anti Semitism, Anti Zionism and

Anti Judaism to define the nature of existing hate
culture, while in the case of Bangladesh these
three have been overlapped with each other.
BANGLADESH
An Ethnographic Study on Gross Hate Culture
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Page Directory
Topics Page Number
Abstract 1

Page Directory 2

Acknowledgement 4

Chapter 1: Introduction 5

1.1 Objectives 6

1.2 Rationale 7

​1.3 Methods and techniques 8

​1.4 Literature review 11

1.5 Researcher's Perception on Anti semitism 17

​1.6 Significance 18

1.7 ​Limitation of the research 19

Chapter 2: Fieldwork experience 22

2.1 Researcher’s Background 22

2.2 Rapport building 23

2.3 Beginning of field work 24

2.4 Challenges 25

2.5 Happy moments 26

Chapter 3: Anti Semitic Social Motives in Bangladesh 27

​3.1 History of Jewish Population in Bangladesh 27

​3.2 Myths and Stereotypes on Jewish People 28

​3.3 Popular Perception on Holocaust Event 29

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Chapter 4: Anti Semitic Political Motives in Bangladesh 30

​ 4.1 Indo-Pak & Israel-Palestine Separation 30

​4.2 Ghost of Pakistani Foreign Policy 30

4.3 Post Liberation War Foreign Relations 32

4.4 Contemporary Local Politics to Foreign Relations 33

Chapter 5: Anti Semitic Religious Motives in Bangladesh 34

​5.1 Jew Hatred in Islam exported from Christianity: 34

​ 5.2 Jew Hatred in Islamic Culture 36

5.3 Contemporary Jewish-Muslim relationship 37

Chapter 6: Summary and conclusion 39

6.1 Defining Anti Semitism in Bangladesh 39

6.2 Anti Semitism & Anti Hinduism 41

6.3 Anti Semitism & Islamophobia 41

6.4 Conclusion 42

References 44

Appendix 45-60
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Acknowledgements
I was thinking for so long to conduct a qualitative research on the topic of Anti-Semitism
in Bangladesh to disclose the current sentiment of Bangladeshi people regarding
Jewish people and Israel. When I was working to complete this research I was being
very grateful and debtful to my Senior Report course supervisor MD. Mahfuz Islam, who
helped me form the very beginning of this academic research work through giving me
freedom of choice on topic selection. MD Mahfuz Islam has also taught me about how
to conduct this entire ethnographic work on the basis of field work, literature reviews,
analytical Writings and finishing work for thesis defense. Throughout my academic
journey I’m also being so thankful to Maidul Alam Chaklader from Anthropology
department, a very much dedicated faculty member who has motivated me to take
Anthropology as a major subject. I also want to thank those respective participants who
has given me the opportunity to have a fruitful conversation with them several times. My
best friend Imran Ahmed inspired me from the very beginning of developing the idea of
conducting research on such topic, and he also helped me to finalize the writing work
through correction, proofing and formatting the research work at end of submission.
When I was doing this research actually I came to know many historical and
contemporary facts regarding Jewish diaspora, and the perception of university students
has been also reflected in this study based on my own observational explanation. I’ve
some early ideas about Judaism as religion and this is why I had to go through a few
chapters of Torah, Mitzvot (laws of Judaism) and some virtual lectures of Rabbi Yosef
Mizrachi, Rabbi Abraham Twerski and Rabbi Yaron Reauven, all of my sources were in
both English & sometimes in Bengali language (what I translated myself) for my better
understanding. To know more about Jewish people and Israel I was highly dependent
on virtual contents such as Facebook posts, YouTube videos & documentaries and
other Internet web pages as well. Whatever most influential factors for my high interest
on this topic is political and religious antagonism toward Jewish people is very common
in Bangladesh. When I was finalizing research analysis and writings, then I’ve also
realized that Anti-Semitism in Bangladesh has very much direct connection with
contemporary religiously motivated hate culture, for example Hindu Muslim or Buddhist
Muslim conflicts has taken place previously in this country. I hope my small academic
work on Anti-Semitism can contribute to understand the root of hate cultures among
Muslim majority population in Bangladesh.
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Chapter 1: Introduction
The traditional definition of, Anti-Semitism is hostility to, prejudice, or discrimination
against Jews. A person who holds such positions is called an anti-Semite.
Anti-Semitism is generally considered to be a form of racism [Nathan, Julie, 2014]. It
has also been characterized as a political ideology which serves as an organizing
principle and unites disparate groups which are opposed to liberalism. [Wisse, Ruth
2018]. ​Anti-Semitism is a virus that mutates, so that new anti semitism can deny they
are antisemites at all, because their hate is different from the old. In the Middle Ages
Jews were hated for their religion. In the nineteenth and early twentieth century they
were hated for their race. [Rabbi Sacks 2019]. Today they (Jews) are being hated for
their nation state, Israel. It is a ​study on Ethnic hate culture as Anti-Semitism contradict
with neoliberal state policies of cultural coexistence. ​This Senor Report contains
empirical information on participant’s general perceptions and my personal observation
and analysis on Anti Semitism issues in Bangladesh. While I was conducting this
academic research, from the very beginning I was facing theoretical difficulties
represent or explain Anti Semitism as an academic term. According to my
understanding, I would like to define this term Anti Semitism as measurement tools or
indication marker to estimate or expose Jew Hatred in religious, political and social
sense of people. Whereas some of my participants had also described Anti-Semitism as
political tools to seek attention and sympathy on behalf of mass Jewish diaspora after
World War 2, now a day Global Zionist party used to utilize this political tools as shield
to justify occupation of Palestinian lands by Israel. [according to the perception of
participants]. Again defining Anti-Semitism in contrast of Islamophobia has always lead
me to similar definition for both terms because at the end of the day, both of this term
used to define social or political hatred on the basis of religious diversity. There should
have no doubt that Anti-Semitism is the part of religiously motivated hate culture, while
traditional ideas on Anti-Semitism only talks about Jew hatred in Christian dominant
Europe and Muslim dominant middle east. In the sociopolitical context of Bangladesh,
interaction between Muslim majority populations with other religiously minorities group
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has similar factors of animosity within the dominant culture. The ultimate evidence of
Anti-Semitism in Bangladesh could be found when many Jewish state officials and
merchant families had left the town of Dhaka and Chittagong right after the creation of
Pakistan and 1967’s Six day war in the Middle East. Throughout my academic journey
to experience of Antisemitic sense of my individual participants to relate with the
collective perception on Antisemitism in bigger context of contemporary sociopolitical
scenario of Bangladesh.

1.1 Objectives
This is research, I want to find the root of sociocultural factor of the barriers of
Bangladesh-Israel foreign relationship and why does it indicate towards the idea of
Anti-Semitism in local politics to religion. This research paper indicates the popular
notion of Jew hatred has been nurtured by supporting various myths regarding Jews. To
define the geo political role of global Islamic solidarity to fortify the sociocultural notion
of Anti-Semitism in a country like Bangladesh with tolerant Islamic practices in contrast
of other Muslim countries in Middle East. Is it true that, in the context of Bangladesh
Anti-Semitic public perception could be the nationalistic unifying political tools to stand
against west oriented colonial legacies as globalization, parliamentary democracy,
foreign relationship, multiculturalism, refugee crisis, NGO activities and media
coverage? ​The Racial and Religious Hatred Act​, law is constitutionally applied in conflict
form in the matter of Anti-Semitism or Anti Hinduism, when popular narratives of
Jewishness or Hindu-ness pose as threat in both political & religious existence of
majority of Christian in Europe or Muslims in Bangladesh. ​Anti-Hinduism could be
partially justified as Anti-Semitism in socio political context of Bangladesh, because
competitive, self-identifying and protective attitudes of Muslim majorities towards Hindu
minorities may have some similar characteristics in attitudes of Christian majority and
Jewish minorities in pre-war Europe. So which political or religious or global
sociocultural factors influence our people to shape their perception toward Jews and
Israel, what might have deep impacts on our foreign policies from early Pakistani era to
modern Bangladeshi state policies? Here postmodernist growth of Islam in Bangladesh
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may have some major influences in favor of rising political Anti-Semitism in future, is it
true that folk Islamic extremism/orthodoxy always perceive a very Anti-Semitic religious
view?

1.2 Rationale
Throughout this academic empirical work I tried my best to explain about the social
political and religious relationship between Muslim people from Bangladesh and Jews
from Israel. Although there has existing Jewish population around the western world but
in the deep inside of our mind Israel is the only country that represents Jews in general.
​ as been taken by majority of
This research will explain why and how these narra​tive h
Muslim people in Bangladesh. Which socio political or religious factors influence our
people to shape their perception toward Jews and Israel, what has deep impacts on our
foreign policies from early Pakistani era to post modern Bangladeshi state policies? It is
an open secret that after creation of Israel in 1948 as a Jewish nation, then it is making
an outstanding performance in education, technology, business and military sectors.
This is why now days many countries around the world (especially non Muslim states)
are being so busy to establish a good political tie with Israel, whereas Muslim states
(except Turkey, Egypt, Jordan and Indonesia) are not that much interested to establish
and declare Israel as an Independent Jewish nation in Middle East. Many Scholars may
have good arguments regarding Anti-Semitism of mango people in Muslim majority
countries what may have direct influence on their national foreign policy as well to deal
with Israel as a modern nation or religious nation. Actually I want to see exactly what
was the main factor as barrier of Bangladesh-Israel foreign relationship, why does it
seem to indicate towards the idea of Anti-Semitism in local politics and religion?
Importance of studying Antisemitism in Bangladesh. Contemporary Israel Bangladesh
relationship during Globalisation era, understand the fundamental effect of Islamic
politics in Bangladesh, prediction on potential counters for Anti Semitism in Bangladesh.
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1.3 Methods and techniques

The ultimate purpose of methodological techniques is to extract Anti-Semitic
sociocultural perspective of representative Bangladeshi people through casual
conversation, political & religious experiences, media analysis and critical writings; while
Bangladesh has no historic physical contact with World War 2 holocaust events or
Israel-Palestine crisis to ignite hostile attitudes toward Jews as religion and Israel as
Jewish nation. Here I would describe the methods that I've been incorporated in my
research to understand and complete the ultimate goal of my academic ethnographic
journey.

1.3.1 Conceptual Framework: ​As a student of Anthropology major I will incorporate

most of the ethnographic techniques to collect information such as in depth interviews,
focus group discussions and participant observation. Here I want to start my preliminary
data collection with sociological research methods to cover a representative amount of
study population, what will exhibit believable information on Anti-Semitism in
Bangladesh. As a student of Sociology as minor background I’ve planned for a survey
project as statistical tools for data collection technique to defend my arguments of
Anti-Semitism in Bangladesh. Classical Anthropological methods like interview
participants again and again for continuous period of time, so during conducting this
survey I’ve requested my participants answer questions, at the same time I’ve also have
an informal discussion about this topic.

At first I have setup an informal and open ended type questionnaire pattern includes
general perception on Jews, holocaust event, to South Asian Hindu Muslim conflicts to
Middle Eastern Muslim Jews conflict. I've talked with various informants from IUB, but
what observed that was not quite satisfactory, because most of the time the main
central point for discussion was diverted toward many other political or religious issues.
To avoid misappropriate discussion I've taken help of this survey questionnaire, this was
not only fill in the gaps type survey but I've had open discussions with my participants
about what they were answering. In this survey questionnaire I’ve set question pattern
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in a specific way to identify the political and religious perception then secondly asked
some true/false questions on popular stereotypes related with Jews. Thirdly I tried to
understand about the overall perception of my participant regarding holocaust event and
recent political scenario related with Jews and Israel. Finally this survey would recheck
do those participants acknowledge Israel as representing Jewish sentiment in
Bangladesh or not. During conducting this survey I’ve also made an informal discussion
with participants and taken some notes as bullet points to relate with further Case Study
writings. In the section of appendix I’m going to attach the survey questionnaire in the
section of appendix.

1.3.2 Sampling ​techniques: ​In this research I’ve tried to implement mainly
purposeful sampling techniques and sometimes snowball sampling also. Because this
term anti-Semitism is quite unfamiliar for a majority of the people and I have to give a
primary briefing before I start my conversation regarding this issue. To sort out suitable
samples for this study, at first I have to confirm about participant’s political and religious
consciousness and general ideas about local and international politics. I have targeted
only one religious group as potential research sample and it has been done intentionally
for the sake of understanding the in depth perception of informants. While Bangladesh
is a muslim majority in population and I’m conducting this research to explore the
popular Jew hate culutre, so I assumed that interviewing only Muslim people might bring
me to a better conclusion. To some extent, I have also interviewed some participants
who has very little carefulness about what is going on contemporary religious and
political scenario. While I am conducting this research for a long period of time, which
enables me to talk with several university students than other occupational groups like
clergies and media personals. In total, I have interviewed 10 participants and I have
taken at least an hour for each interview.
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1.3.3 Virtual Field Work: ​Social media has played a very great role to establish my
arguments through observing the popular narratives regarding Jews and Israel. Virtual
field work was the part of participant observation study to extract information from
various sources of online communication websites like Facebook, YouTube, Wikipedia
and so on. Whenever I've seen any Bangladeshi news posts on those sites related with
Jews or Israel or both, then I looked up on to the comment section to understand the
popular sentiment. Sometimes I also comment back for feedback and sometimes I just
observed and have taken some notes. I want to mention that analytical writing part of
this paper work has been greatly influenced by virtual field work to reach a better
conclusion.
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1.4 Literature review

1.4.1 Roots of Hate: Anti-Semitism in Europe before the Holocaust ​(William I.

Brustein 2003)​.
In this book I mainly focused on the Economic roots of Anti-Semitism to understand
Anti-Semitism behind religious, political and social perception of the majority of Christian
population in the context of Europe. Jews had been variously characterized as miserly,
manipulators of money, ultra materialist and possessors of extraordinary wealth. Jews
were related with moneylending, wine production and other unusual business what
makes them sinful people in the eyes of catholic Christians. While I was reading this
specific chapter, it reminds me about the economic perception of the majority of Muslim
population toward religiously minor Hindu people in the context of hate culture in
Bangladesh. This book has helped me to relate the context of hate culture, what will
reflect in analytical writings of this research work in last chapters. How does
anti-Semitism differ from other forms of religious, racial, and ethnic prejudice? The
proposed study of anti-Semitism will focus on what William call “popular anti-Semitism.”
By “popular anti-Semitism,” he mean hostility (as expressed in sentiments, attitudes, or
actions) to Jews as a collectivity rooted in the general population. If popular
anti-Semitism was more widespread in Germany than in Italy, or if it was more intense
in France between 1930 and 1934 than between 1924 and 1928? Between 1791 and
1870, European Jews experienced rising toleration and emancipation. Throughout
Europe, ghetto walls came down; obstacles to professional advancement disappeared;
and Jews became members of the highest echelons of the economic, social, cultural,
and political elites. On the eve of the Holocaust, antipathy toward Europe’s Jews
reached epidemic proportions. This book has focused on a number of issues regarding
anti-Semitism in Europe before the Holocaust. I have examined the rise of European
anti-Semitism through the lens of the religious, economic, racial, and political roots of
anti-Semitism. Non-Jewish citizens and, in some cases, high ranking government
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officials in a few European countries under Nazi occupation or allied with Nazi Germany
during WorldWar II risked their lives to help the persecuted Jews. (for example Bulgaria,
Italy, France, Denmark, etc).

1.4.2. ANTI SEMITISM: Myth and Hate from Antiquity to the Present ​(Marvin Perry
and Frederick M. Schweitzer 2002)
This book helps me to understand, the principal reason being that there is no end to
myth making about Jews what is also related in the context of Bangladesh. I wonder
how the similar mythical point of view Jew hatred have been nurtured among Muslim
majority in Bangladesh to describe collective sentiment of political and religious stance
against Israel. In the 4th and 5th Chapter of will reflect many secondary information to
define the scenario of Anti-Semitism in Bangladesh. Mythmaking was humanity’s first
way of thinking; it was the earliest attempt to explain the beginnings of the universe and
human history, to make life comprehensible. In 1943 the Nazi researcher Helmut
Schramm published Jewish Ritual Murders: An Historical Inquiry, which collected
accounts of Christian children purported to be tortured and murdered by Jews as part of
a religious ritual, a bizarre legend that had flourished in the Middle Ages and still
endured into the twentieth century and helped make the Holocaust possible. This book
treats several of the myths that have made anti-Semitism so lethal in various periods
from the Middle Ages to World War II: the Jews as decides; the Jews as ritual
murderers; the Jews as agents of Satan and international conspirators; and the Jews as
greedy, materialistic, conniving Shylocks and unscrupulous financial manipulators.
Finally, it examine the anti-Semitism of the Nation of Islam, which has recycled and
adapted antique anti-Semitic myths for their own ends and also manufactured a new
one the Jews as the principal force behind the slave trade. The 200 years history of Jew
hatred shows with agonizing clarity that the most dangerous myths are those that
demonize and dehumanize a whole people, characterizing them as the evil and
dangerous Other.
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1.4.3. ​A Fuzzy distinction between Anti-Judaism & Anti-Semitism (Jeanne Saada

1934)
This article has helped me to distinguish between Anti-Semitism and Anti-Judaism,
throughout of my research I've used those terms several times to define the Jew Hatred
culture in Bangladesh. Anti-Semitism succeeds to Anti-Judaism and race succeeds to
religion. Responsibilities of Churches during WW2 from humanitarian point of view.
Interaction between religious and racial issues was redefined by scientific methods, and
Anti-Jewish racism has served as framework of this study. Religious and racial concepts
of hatred towards Jewish people got emerged, when Anti-Judaism was taken by
Christians and Anti-Semitism was taken by secular people with the name of science. A
conflict between New VS Old, Science VS Theology and Politics VS Religion.
Anti-Judaism turns into Anti-Semitism during 1879-1945 with the help of European
Scientific Revolution. Christians were massively converted into science, although very
few Christians were going to church but early religious representation kept shaping their
mind. In Nineteenth century, the domination of capitalist system, industrial revolution
and colonial expansion made radical changes in people psychology were provoked.
Jews were trapped in biological malediction. Political ideology (Anti-Semitism) has
nothing common with religious doctrine (Anti-Judaism). In early period of time in 4​th to
9​th centuries, many discriminatory policies towards non-Christians were taken by
Churches. Many Christian religious doctrines openly opposed human rights of Jewish
people. German political ideology had been regenerated by emphasizing the Cultural
Revolution that produced by the invention of Anti-Semitism. Modern idea of
Anti-Semitism referred to an enmity towards Jews and Judaism, which was entirely
different from traditional aversion which was existed throughout the history. An old
enemy turns into new enemy with the new features that accepts scientific and religious
facts of discrimination. Although National Socialist ideology was anti-religious, but
modern Anti-Semitism borrowed numerous elements from traditional Christian
Anti-Judaism. Social Sciences from 1950-70s make an argument that tells us,
degradation of religion was a result of appearance of modernity/science, but there was
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a strong movement of religious awakening that occurred during the nineteenth century.
Finally the old ideas of Anti-Judaism have reconstructed the new ideas of
Anti-Semitism.

1.4.4. Anthropological Analysis of Islamophobia & Anti-Semitism in Europe ​(Matti

Bunzl 2005)

This article is helpful for me to explain the similarities between characteristics of hate
culture like Islamophobia & Anti-Semitism has been held by the majority of Christian
population in Europe. Islamic Extremism represent the single most dangerous
challenges to security concern in Germany. Among 3 million Muslim population, the
number of supporter of Militant Islamic Ideology had said to be risen to an estimated
overall figure of 32,000. (represent 1% of total population) Same report emphasizes the
continuing growth of Neo-Nazi National Democratic Party, regarded as center force for
wider Right-Extremism, associated similar political parties even managed to gain
regional parliamentary representation through Germany’s federal states elections in
2004. Relatively moderate and pro constitutional versions of populist parties from the
new right have established in many EU countries, the heterogeneous phenomenon of
“neo-nationalism” has emerged. Compared to the past German politics used to have
special reflection on its neighboring EU countries. The debates between “alarmists” &
“deniers”. Both “right extremism” and “Islamic extremism” could be considered as
alarmist group whereas most of the population could be deniers. In general, only 1%
Muslim and 3% German of total population living in Germany could be identified as
“Alarmists” whereas remaining 99 percent of total population has to be identified as
“Deniers” of their cultural roots of interdependency. Two Austrian politicians were
accused to being Anti-Semitic in public affairs, one said that, in his mind, the ‘‘question’’
of whether gas chambers had existed at all under Hitler, still deserved ‘‘full scientific
investigation”? Another one declared that, after 1945, former Nazis allegedly had
suffered ‘‘cruel persecution’’ in Austria. Both men were members of different factions
inside the disintegrating, neo-nationalist Freedom Party. Anti-Semitism, thus, is
 15

transformed into an ‘‘ideology in reserve’’ on the local level, however, that individuals
who pursue anti-Semitic attitudes continue to be found in high public offices in Austria.
In the Arab world, Israel certainly is not seen ‘‘first and foremost as a European colony,’’
as Bunzl claims, but instead, as the unwavering ally of the United States as a global
superpower. Islamophobic resistance in several E.U. countries (including Austria) to
future E.U. membership for Turkey. Legacy of relationship with former Ottoman Empire
in EU policy may reflect. Bunzl claims that, ‘‘Islamophobia has emerged quite recently. It
is a phenomenon of the late 20th and early 21st centuries.’’ Edward Said’s (1979) study
of ‘‘Orientalism’’ to understand that, as a variant of Orientalism, Islamophobia is a
product of the colonial era.

1.4.5. 3D Test of Anti-Semitism: Demonization, Double Standards,

De-legitimization ​(Natan Sharansky 2004)

This article help me extract the grass root vloum of Anti-Semitism has been laid down
under the political and religious umbrella of sentiment of majority Muslim population
Bangladesh. During my field work and analytical writings I’ve used this tool to explain
the existence of Anti-Semitism in the context of Bangladesh. In the 3rd and 6th chapter
this research work many information from this article would greatly reflect. Recognizing
the "New Anti-Semitism" Moreover, the so-called "new anti-Semitism" poses a unique
challenge. Whereas classical anti-Semitism is aimed at the Jewish people or the Jewish
religion, "new anti-Semitism" is aimed at the Jewish state. "3D" test - to help us
distinguish legitimate criticism of Israel from anti-Semitism. The Rise of Arab and
Islamic Anti-Semitism. Earlier this year, my office published a 150-page report on "Anti-
Semitism in the Contemporary Middle East." The study surveys anti- Semitic reporting,
editorials, and editorial caricatures in the government- controlled press of Egypt, Iran,
Jordan, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, Syria, Saudi Arabia, and the Gulf states. In
the more than one hundred editorial cartoons included in this report, Jews and Israelis
are invariably represented as poisonous snakes, murderous Nazis, and bloodthirsty
Crusaders. Moreover, the borders between anti-Semitism, anti- Americanism, and
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anti-Westernize have become almost completely blurred. The Organization of Security

and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) has held several meetings on fighting
anti-Semitism, and for the first time ever the UN Commission on Human Rights
condemned anti-Semitism in three separate resolutions, which were adopted by
consensus. The Need for a Linkage Policy. I believe that combating anti-Semitism ought
to become a much more prominent issue in the bilateral relations between America and
the Arab and Muslim worlds. Linkage can be used to marginalize the extremists and to
encourage and support those who reject this virulent hatred.
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1.5 Researcher's Perception on Anti-Semitism

I’ve come to the edge of perception regarding Anti-Semitism, after the literature review
on several books & journal articles, conducting virtual observational studies on social
media, and doing fieldwork for data collection on participants understanding on
Anti-Semitism. According to my understanding, any sort of hatred, discrimination and
negative point of view toward Jews has been considered as Anti-Semitism.
Anti-Semitism is part of diverse hate culture or racism what justify violence against Jews
or other religious or racial opposition. It may base on opposing political rights of Jewish
Movement called Zionism, socially boycotting Jewish people for the actions of Israel
over Palestine issue, envious attitude toward economic and technological achievement
of state of Israel compared to its neighboring Arab states and disapproval of religious
practices of traditional Judaism. Another form of Anti-Semitism may hide behind the
glorification of NAZI persecution of Jews during World War 2, when they sends Jews
men, women and children into the gas chamber just because of their Jewish identity.
Even considering Holocaust event as fake propaganda of Zionist Jews to establish the
Jewish settlement in British mandate Palestine in 1948, is nothing but Anti-Semitism
what justify NAZI cruelty over European Jews. Formulating negative myths Jews is the
root of Anti-Semitism, for example Jews are miserly people, they (Jews) need children's
blood for religious ritual, Jews hold most of the world's economic, political and
intellectual capital, Jews are only responsible for demonizing Islam through creation of
Islamic Jihadist groups and so on. Anti-Semitism as hate culture has grown up
subconsciously by apprehending that Jews are not normal people but extraordinary or
alienated people. This theory of alienation and fabricated myths against Jews reinforce
the core sentiment of Anti-Semitism, without any kind of direct contact with real Jewish
person. Anti-Semitism in mass media is the crucial factor to ignite the Jew hatred
sentiment among people, now days Anti-Semitism in mass media always portray Israel
as evil state irrationally. For example, not highlighting the Jewish Muslim coexistence in
Israel but the hostility between Arab and Israeli population get more focused on certain
media narratives, most especially in Muslim countries like Bangladesh. In my sense
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Anti-Semitism and Islamophobia has similar banner for raising the hate culture in
Muslim countries or in Europe. Portraying all Jews or Muslim as bad people collectively
for individual action against humanity, what is not logical according to my moral
standard of classifying people in general?

1.6 Significance
The significance of this academic research work on Anti-Semitism in Bangladesh will
help us to understand the political and religious sentiment, culture, motivation, and
influence of Jew hatred in this country. The main reason I've conducted research on this
topic is to find the reason behind nationalistic Anti-Semitism and the way to fight these
kind of culture of hatred. Politically negative or hostile attitude toward religious minority
is not uncommon in the context of Bangladesh, so I think this research work will be
helpful to understand and cope up with sectarian hate culture in Bangladesh as well. ​the
significance of study on Anti-Semitism in the socio-cultural context of national politics,
religion and globalized conceptualization of Bangladesh in a broader sense? In the last
chapter of this research I would try to draw a picture of the similarities between Jew
hatred and Hindu hatred in this country.

In the case of Bangladesh Anti-Semitism is the root of all kinds of religious, social and
political hatred that has been patronized openly by dominant Muslim population through
various governmental policies. Anti-Semitism in Bangladesh may referred to the hostility
or discrimination against overall Jewish population in the world. There has general
stereotypes against Jews in Bangladesh, most of which overlap and has related to the
common Anti-Semitic views prevalent in the Muslim world.
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1.7 Limitation of the research

This research work contains potential limitations that has structural effect on this
academic study work. Especially during field work implementation of methodological
framework, and then analytical writings on this specific topic like Anti-Semitism in
Bangladesh may have reflection of researcher's personal narrowness. To create this
segment of this Introductory chapter of as Limitation of the research, I have taken help
from credible internet sources it is an academic website that provides help for
proofreading and editing services for both academic and professional research work for
publication.

1.7.1 Methodological Limitations

At first, I’m going to address the major methodological limitations, that has a direct
impact during field work for example, (1) issues with sample size and selection process,
(2) lack of previous research studies on this topic and (3) inadequate amount of diverse
case studies.
While this research work has been dedicated to explain and explore Anti-Semitic
sentiment of Bangladeshi people. So sampling error has been occurred when purposive
and snowball sampling methods is being used to select sample, but that sample does
not reflect the general population or appropriate population concerned. It results as
research limitations in this study such as sample bias or selection bias. (1). Citing and
referencing previously done research studies constitutes the basis of the literature
review for my study, and these previous studies provide theoretical foundations for the
research question that I'm investigating. When there has no previous research work on
Anti-Semitism in Bangladesh or great Indian subcontinent, this requires to develop an
entirely new typology. So I consider this limitations of previous research studies as an
important opportunity to identify new gaps in this particular study area. (2). It is
important to have an adequate amount of case studies in order to conclude a valid
research findings. While the number of potential case study is too small, so that it could
be rise the question of difficulties to identify significant relationships from the data.
 20

Normally qualitative studies requires in depth information from participants to ensure

that the case studies is being considered representative, but this limitations of
inadequate amount of case studies could be reason for the narrowness of this study.
(3).

1.7.2 Researcher’s Limitations

I'm going to also address the major limitations of mine as researcher, that arise from the
situations influenced by methodological limitations put impact on analytical writings. For
example, (1) financial and time constraints, (2) lack of experience on conducting a
complete research work and (3) limited access to the potential participants.
As an unemployed undergraduate student, I've faced lack of financial mobility to
conduct this academic research study in a proper manner. For example, I've made a
plan to interview students from different universities than mine but I cannot do so for the
reason of self-funding research work and I've to allocate money that provided by my
parents. There has another basic limitations of time, just because as a student I have
deadlines to turn in my class papers, exams and assignments for other courses as well.
This time constraints as research limitations that I want to mention have negative impact
on this study what requires future studies to reveal the exact findings on this topic of
Anti-Semitism in Bangladesh (1). Throughout my academic journey as Anthropology
major student I’ve done several courses, where faculty members have given me
assignments to prepare a research proposal, conducting interviews & observational
studies and creating case studies & analytical reports individually on various topics. But
I’ve been never experience to combine all previously mentioned works in a compiled
version to conduct a complete research work on a specific topic. Here I’ve observed
many structural limitations of mine during analytical writings when I’ve felt extremely
confused about how to start the analytical writings work and relate the case studies with
the thematic based on key findings (2). In the beginning of this research work I’ve also
made a plan to interview different occupational groups rather than only university
students and clergies, such as journalists, lawyers and so on to understand their
 21

perception regarding Anti-Semitism in Bangladesh. When I was conducting field work

for data collection then I realize my personal limitations of connectivity with diverse
occupational groups, that generates issues of access to the many potential participants
for this research work (3)
 22

Chapter 2: Fieldwork experience

Here in this chapter of Field Work I would like to describe my fieldwork as data
collection experiences within five different segments. At first I would explain my own
background as research’s background, experiences of rapport building process, how I
start the data collection as beginning of field work. Then challenges that I’ve been faced
during conducting this field work, and finally I would like to share those happy moments
with readers that I’ve experienced during the field work.

2.1 Researcher’s Background

I born in an economically middle class, politically liberal Bengali Muslim family in 27th
January, 1994. I live in Gazipur a major industrial area in Bangladesh. Now I'm studying
Anthropology and Sociology at Independent University Bangladesh as mentioned it
several times in this research. I was very interested in religion and history since my
boyhood. My family taught me about Islam in my childhood. When I was seven years
old my parents sent me into Mosque for learning Quran and other Islamic rules. They
had also given appointment Islamic house tutor for my Islamic study. I had opportunity
to ask a lot of question to my house tutor regarding Islam and Islamic history. I
wondered with the knowledge of Islam in my childhood. I became very more religious
and Islamic minded than my family after ten years old. I went to Mosque every day and
every time of prayers that time. The sons of chief priest of that Mosque became my
friend and I got more involved with Islamic activities day by day. Sometimes my father
got annoyed by my extreme Islamic mentality but my mother always appreciated me.
Important thing was that after 2001 my father had started his service into a tea garden
in Sylhet north eastern part of Bangladesh and our family had also shifted into that
place with my father. All of the tea gardens had located in remote places of the country
and near the forest and border area anyway. I had a lot of Hindu friends in there
although my family had restrictions about that. I joined in many Hindu festivals with
them and I came to know about Hinduism from my Hindu friends and their parents also.
Although in the beginning of my boyhood I used to believe that Israel and Jewish people
 23

are most corrupted people, they are oppressing on over Muslim just like my other
surroundings did. In the beginning I had a strong mentality to neglect other religions
than mine because I knew that only my religion was only true in this planet than other
religions. In Islam I had learned that only Muslim people will go in heaven and other
people will fall into hell for their religion although they had done good works. In 2009,
right after SSC exam my family again shifted to Gazipur, that period of time I used to go
to church to meet a cleric to know about Christianity and I also tried to learn about
Atheism about how it deny the existence of Creator or the concept of God. Throughout
this process of quest to know about multiple religious faiths I’ve also learn about
Buddhism, Satanism, Freemasons and Judaism. Another interest of mine was to learn
about the history of many different wars and conflicts throughout the world, and why
many civilizations, society, religious groups had fought to establish its dominance over
others. I was being attracted to learn about Jewish heritage, history and culture because
I think, it used to have direct connection with political and religious establishment of
Christianity and Islam, with the various social science concept of Migration, Conflicts,
Multi-Cultural Coexistence and Modernity as well.

2.2 Rapport building

This matter of rapport building has played a very crucial role in field study of data
collection. To start a fruitful conversation regarding the topic of Anti-Semitism in
Bangladesh, at I first I have to brief about my personal background, academic intention
and ultimate purpose to research participants properly. There are two types of
participants, one previously known people of mine, others the newly known people I
have contacted only for the reason of this research work. In the case of known people
as participants, it was quite easy to have a fruitful conversation during several
interviews because of early rapport. But in the case of new people I have to face a bit
difficulty to establish a good relationship with trust for the interview. Here I tried my best
to be very much clear cut and open about my goal and research procedures that I am
going to conduct. In some points I have faced counter questions from both types of
 24

participants, related with my personal and ideological factors. I understand that without
a quite friendly relationship with participants it is impossible to conduct an academic
field work on the topic of Anti-Semitism in Bangladesh. Few participants also wanted to
read their case study writings to be ensured about proper reflection of their discussion in
right way. For the reason of good rapport building I have never refused any
requirements of my participants. I have never provided any sort of financial benefits to
participants for consuming their valuable time for my research.

2.3 Beginning of field work

I have started the field work through taking directions and guidelines from the research
supervisor and conducting demo interviews of students from same department of my
university. It helps me to generate a proper checklist as basic interview pattern for
further field study. To start the field work I have also explored the Internet to find some
previous work on relevant topic of mine as to see the standard pattern of questionnaire
or checklist. There I've found the survey questionnaire of ADL Global which studied on
Anti-Semitism in North American and European context. In the part of methodology I
have discussed briefly about the borrowed survey questionnaire from the sources of
ADL Global. Throughout the journey of this field work I've also met other relevant faculty
members several times for their valuable advice regarding ethnographic techniques for
data collection process. At the very beginning of this field work as empirical data
collection process, I have made a list of known students who is very much interested to
discuss about political and religious topic. In the preliminary stage of the conversation I
often discuss with participants about their perception regarding creation of Israel over
Palestine and Pakistan over India or opposite, then the topic of holocaust event, popular
perception regarding Jews and future of Anti-Semitism has also been discussed. To
keep the flow of the conversation warm and alive very often I have counter the
arguments of participants to extract in depth information regarding the topic of
Anti-Semitism in Bangladesh. I have made structural changes in interview checklist
several times on the basis of my field experiences and interaction with participants. I
 25

have to interview most of the participants twice or sometime three times for proper
understanding of their perceptions regarding Anti-Semitism in Bangladesh.

2.4 Challenges
I would like to divide this chapter into three different segments to discuss about the
Problems I have encountered during the field work.

2.4.1 Digression Challenge: ​The basic challenge I have encountered during field study
on the topic of Anti-Semitism in Bangladesh is losing the direction of discussion which
lead me and participants to talk on irrelevant topic many times. Although I have
expected these kinds of digression problems as challenge may arise in the case of
known participants from the same academic background. I have also faced
understanding problems during the survey interview questions regarding religious and
political stance of participants. For example of one of my participants from same
department of mine who has showed very high concerns about his political and religious
consciousness. To define his statement regarding Jew hatred in Bangladesh he used to
give an illustration of political practice of hate culture between Bangladeshi and
pakistani people for the reason of 1971 struggle. Then both of us were heading toward
a different types of conversation that has little relevance with my study topic, despite
this digression challenge I would say it was also helpful to understand the emic
perspective of the participant.

2.4.2 Issues of Skepticism: ​While Anti-Semitism is related with hate culture so most of
the participants tried to avoid their Anti-Semitic perspective even if they were supporting
on behalf of Anti-Semitism or Anti-Judaism. Another major problems I have faced during
field study is suspiciousness and skepticism from newly known participants about my
loyalty to Islam and political ideological stance. Hence these kinds of trust issues again
lead to the digression problems that scattered the main topic. In the previous segment
of this chapter, I have created an environment where I encouraged argumentative
 26

perspective of my participants which lead to this kind of skeptical problems. Very often I
used to think that if I have chosen any classic Anthropological topic to study then I will
not have to face this kind of skeptical problems from my participants, or maybe I'm
wrong. When I was interviewing a participant from CSE department who was very much
observant types of Muslim, he arise the question about my loyalty to Islam and Muslim
people. During a conversation in virtual platform quite frequently he posed his
doubtfulness regarding my religious views and he tried his best to convince me that
what I was doing was completely wrong.
2.4.3 Other Challenges: Here I have encountered with my own personal problems due
to financial crisis, time management, contacts and mobility that hampered my field work.

2.5 Happy Moments

During my fieldwork process for collecting primary data from various sources I have
experienced various interactive feedback based on the participant interests,
backgrounds and beliefs. Some of the participants were highly responsive and they
showed proper interest of my survey questionnaires and I believe I received authentic
answers which provides credibility and authenticity towards my research findings. I
consider myself fortunate due to their full cooperation towards my research and I have
been received admiration of my topic and they belief that my research topic should
create more awareness in this upcoming generation. Throughout my research, I learned
and adapted several information and knowledge on this global phenomenon and I still
believe that there are a lot of areas that need to be covered. My primary objective was
to spread the awareness of anti-Semitism and I hope this topic will be offer information
that majority of us are not aware of and it will promote literacy and sense of belongings.
Personally I feel completely satisfied working on this unique and controversial topic and
I am overwhelmed because I did not expect that in this country, people are aware of the
global aspects of anti-Semitism. I hope my research will promote vast knowledge and
mindfulness of this unjust hatred towards Jewish individuals.
 27

Chapter 3: Anti-Semitic Social Motives in Bangladesh

3.1 History of Jewish Population in Bangladesh

One of my friends told me that there have remaining Jewish family still living in the old
town of Dhaka, and they engaged with traditional family business of importing motor
vehicle parts. I asked him to arrange an informal meeting with any member of their
family, but after a few days later I came to know that it was not possible to talk with
them just because of security issues. It is quite true that Bangladesh has faced
emergence of rising Islamic extremism, for example several terrorist attacks on free
thinking or atheist blogger, Shiaite and Kadiani Muslim people had been taken place in
previous years. Perhaps poor Jewish families were unable to migrate India or Israel, so
that they were being forced to mingle with mainstream Muslim population of
Bangladesh. Now officially there has been no existence of Jewish people in Bangladesh
acknowledged by state authority just like other Muslim countries. To describe about
Jewish background in Bangladesh properly requires another ethnographic study to
reveal exact information on this topic.

The history of the Jewish community in Bangladesh dates back to 17th-century. The
Jews in Bangladesh were never numerous and kept a very low profile in this Muslim
country. There is no synagogue today in Bangladesh. The real number of Jewish
population in Bangladesh is above 3,500, while the Jews in Bangladesh are afraid of
disclosing their religious identity fearing persecution of the anti-Semitic people. In a
research, Dr. Shalva Weil found that two families of Jewish descent do in fact still live in
Dhaka, but they have converted to Catholicism. There were two Jewish families in
Bangladesh after independence, but both migrated to India one in 1973 and the other in
1975.

Before 1947 there had many Jewish families in Dhaka and Chittagong, after the
creation of Pakistan they still remain here till in 1948 creation of Israel and conflicts with
Arab League Countries, many rich business families first started to migrate to Israel and
 28

India. Perhaps this kind of migration could be responsible for withdrawal of business
capital and expertise from local to national markets of former East Pakistan. When
Pakistan became Islamic republic in 1956, then second stage of Jewish migration may
be started from East Pakistan again. Jewish Indian General Jacob came from a Jewish
family in Dhaka. When many Jewish business families of left Dhaka after partition and
migrate in India and Israel then they’ve also took their capital and expertise from this
market, that may have negative effects on early Eastern Bengal’s industrial economy.
Most of the Jewish governmental officers had also migrated to Delhi administration and
created a bureaucratic vacuum in East Bengal administration. This is how others Jewish
professionals also migrated with their skills.

3.2 Myths and Stereotypes on Jewish People

Stereotypes of Jews are generalized representations of Jews, often caricatured and of a

prejudiced and antisemitic nature. To understand the Anti Semitic social motives in
Bangladesh it is also important to understand that how many participants do agree or
disagree with the conventional myths and stereotypes on Jewish people.

Myths and Stereotypes on Jews Response​True/Fa

lse (out of 10)

Jews are more loyal to Israel than to this country True (9)

Jews have too much power in the business world True (7)

Jews have too much control over global affairs or international politics True (4)

Jews have too much control over the United States or West European True (4)
Government

Jews think they are better than other people True (8)
 29

Jews have too much control over the global media True (9)

Jews are responsible for most of the world's wars True (7)

Jews are just like everyone else True (3)

A lot of the people I know have negative feelings about Jews True (10)

Jews are blood thirsty people True (6)

3.3 Popular Perception on Holocaust Event

During my findings, I received feedbacks where most of the participants believe that the
Holocaust event was unjust and it promotes inhuman and discriminative actions.
Majority supports my argument and they criticized the actions of the Nazis against the
Jewish individuals. However, there were few participants who are supportive towards
the Holocaust event because they perceive this action created a better setting against
the Jewish population. They perceive Jewish people as the malicious population since
the domination of the Israeli actions against the Palestine. In their perspective, the
current circumstances are created and filled with vengeance and the actions are
vengeful due to their experience on the Holocaust event.
 30

Chapter 4: Anti-Semitic Political Motives in Bangladesh

4.1 Indo-Pak & Israel-Palestine Separation

I have found positive correlation between the separation incident of India and Pakistan
and Israel and Palestine due to very specific factors. One of the major factors that
influenced this separation is the differences in their religious beliefs since the majority of
Indian people follow Hinduism and Pakistanis are Muslims. Similarly, Israeli people are
Jewish and Palestinians are Muslims, hence their dissimilarity takes place.
Nevertheless, both Pakistan, India, Israel and Palestine were under the dominance of
British colonial regime and it can be highlighted that this occurrence has been slightly
influenced by the British nationals.

On the other hand, there is a minor differences in their separation since India and
Pakistan both share similar cultural and native background. However, Israel and
Palestine did not share this resemblance since their cultural background has been
diverse and shared different cultural practices.

In this present time, these separation among these nations still exists within the mindset
of these countries and the foreign relationships currently affects the economic and
political decisions against each other. Due to this event, the foreign ties between India
and Israel has been developed whereas Pakistanis are supportive and sympathies with
Palestine only because of their similar religious belief and identity.

4.2 Ghost of Pakistani Foreign Policy

Bangladeshi socio-political culture has a long history of social coexistence where people
used to live together peacefully from many different religious communities. In modern
state of Bangladesh here secularism, social equality & justice, and nationalism has
been always promoted by almost every ruling parties right after the liberation war of
 31

1971, because the Bengali struggle for achieving economic, political and social freedom
from Pakistani regime was seems like to be break the chain of “Two Nation Theory”,
and given specific religious identity of East Bengali people did not work in that way
which supposed to be work that planned by colonial rulers and local political parties of
British Indian State. Although after the creation of People's Republic of Bangladesh
there have lot of remarkable political & social malfunctions like communal riots, religious
extremism, corruptions, nepotism & many more ethical dysfunctions, those things put
various questions on the face of our freedom and consciousness. Whatever almost
every nation in this world face such kind of social malfunctions and it vary one from
another on the basis of infrastructural development or sometimes Governmentality of
ruling regime. During the liberation war of Bangladesh in 1971, Israel was supporting
Indian intelligence to gather information about Pakistani military positions and
capabilities in former East Pakistan and later Bangladesh. [Hindustan times Repot].
Israel was one of the first nations to recognize Bangladesh. Both the Israeli government
and general public supported the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971. If so then why
Bangladesh government of 1972 lead by Sheikh Mujib and recent ruling party
Awami-league was not that much interested to establish a complete foreign relationship
with Israel. This answer may be hidden under the matter of Muslim countries
reorganization for new born country Bangladesh that fought against another great
Muslim country of Indian subcontinent. Anyway after the independence of Bangladesh,
the newly minted country was recognized by Israel on 4 February 1972; however, the
Bangladesh Government officially rejected the recognition, whereas this new born
country requires Global recognition from various well-wishers like Israel. In 1973, during
the Yom Kippur War Bangladesh Government help the war effort of Arab League
against Israel, whereas most of the Arab countries refused to recognize Bangladesh as
an Independent nation till that time. Right after the assassination of Sheikh Mujib in
august, 1975 then many Muslim countries stepped forward to recognize Bangladesh as
an Independent and Muslim nation also. The main reason why Bangladesh stand
 32

against the cause of Israel is always refers to the ongoing 70 years long Israel-Palestine
conflict.

4.3 Post Liberation War Foreign Relations

If I talk about liberation war and struggle for freedom then I found many metaphoric and
realistic political, social and cultural similarities between the case of Bangladesh and
Israel. First Bangladesh fought two times in both way of politically and militarily to
achieve freedom from foreign rulers like British and Pakistani regime, Israel also fought
two times in both way of politically and militarily against British and entire Arab League.
Secondly the both constitution of Bangladesh and Israel has been openly accept the
factors of social secularism to maintain proper individual rights and freedom of citizens
within the border nationhood, and the foreign policy system has been also maintained in
this specific way. Israeli government during Golda Meir they put forward their hand to
build foreign relationship with newly born People's Republic Bangladesh as an
independent nation just get free from Islamic Republic of Pakistan. As People's
Republic Government of 1972, Mujib regime should stay away from notion of former
Pakistani foreign policy, but in the case of Israel those ghosts of Pakistani notion keep
remain in this independent nation. We can look for the influences of Cold War that may
shape Bangladeshi foreign policies for that time, because we’ve seen that USSR was
supporting Arab League and also stand with the causes of Bangladesh. While the US
had different opinion for the reasons of our struggle for freedom, this is why newly born
Country Bangladesh gets foreign ties with its Eastern allies and rejects the latter of
reorganization from Israel in 1972. This great work had been done by Khandoker
Mushtak Ahmed, who was accused to bring a pro-Islamic government after
assassination of Mujib in 1975. Finally both countries had faced racial and religious
genocides during struggle for freedom, during holocaust more than 6 million Jews were
killed in Europe and after creation of Israel many Arab Jews were being executed in
their native countries and forced to exile in Israel. Bangladeshi people also faced similar
fate of forced migration for the reason of Two-Nation Theory that lead to partition in
 33

British Indian Empire, and then during the liberation war of 1971 more than 3 million
Bangladeshi were killed in own country and 2 million people took shelter in India. Jews
and Bangladeshi people had history of harshly victimization for their racial, religious and
cultural unique identity, what made both of them struggle for their socio political and
economic freedom from others.

4.4 Contemporary Local Politics to Foreign Relations

From the very beginning of my international political understanding, I’ve seen that there
has only one issue for political solidarity among Muslim countries around the world,
which is Israel-Palestine issue. There may have many discourse about internal
relationship of Muslim nations with each other, because Muslim world has already cover
many places in many continents like Africa, Europe & Asia, this is why they have
different cultural, economical and political voices, all the sudden every Muslim nations
start to talk in same political voice when it comes about Israel. According to my own
observation I’ve noticed that Israel is playing the vital role for global Muslim solidarity,
but my question is for how long it will work, when many politically concerned Muslim
people still believe that removing Israel from the world map will be the only solution for
Middle East crisis. When Arab spring started to change the face of Middle-Eastern
politics and many dictators of prominent Muslim nations start blame Israel openly for the
trouble in their country, it is like if anything goes wrong than there has something to put
blame on, and it is Israel. After WW2 when many nations started to get freedom from
colonial rule, then many Arab nations fall on the hand of their own dictatorial families
where had no place for democracy as many scholars already says, those dictatorial
families were so expert to divert their people's attention somewhere else that was Israel
issue. In 2016, the ruling party of Bangladesh got something to put blame on Israel,
when an opposition political leader “Aslam Chowdhury” meet with an Israeli NGO
worker and political activist “Mendi Safadi” in a cultural occasion in India, very suddenly
it was portrayed as BNP and Jammat is planning with Mossad to bring down the current
government of Bangladesh from the throne with a military coup.
 34

Chapter 5:​ ​Anti-Semitic Religious Motives in Bangladesh

While Bangladesh is a Muslim majority country in population, so how local Islamic
priests and observant Muslim’s definition about Jewishness on the basis of Islam may
have direct influence to shape Anti-Semitic perception of local people. Muslim people
accept Jewish people as Ahle Qitab or People of the Book, but their status still remain
below Christian people.

5.1 Jew Hatred in Islam exported from Christianity:

Right after creation of Israel almost every Islamic Scholars started to write against Jews,
to spread anti-Jewish sentiment all over the Muslim world as their Christian counterpart
did it throughout the middle age. The more unique Islam is uncovered the more inferior
Judaism is pierced, just like glorification of Christianity were purely based on
demonization of Judaism. Islam gives a great honor to prophet Isa/Jesus (pbu) as
messenger, whereas Jews denies about the miracle during the birth of Jesus as they
denies the capability of Allah and put him into trial then crucified him, but he resurrected
after three days. There is no other religion that gives so much respect to prophets of
Christians and Jews still disbelieve on Jesus as a prophet. Here is the similarity of
Muslim and Christian people where Jews unfit. Jews were being jealous about Muslim
people specially Muhammad because he get prophecy out of their caste. While Islam
accept the legitimation of Christianity and it’s new testament as bible, according to that it
(Islam) does also accept sources of Gospel (New Testament), which portray Jews as
traitor and rebel. Because first Jewsih uprising known as great revolt 66 to 73 made
Roman conquerors suppressed all Jewish parties and factions in old Jerusalem.

The root of hatred for Jews in Europe was more like conflict between new religion
Christianity and old one as Judaism. Many Christian doctrine during the period of
crusade put blame on Jews as murderers of Jesus Christ. The contradictory part was
the trial and crucifixion of Jesus was extremely Roman affairs, that he (Jesus) was
 35

being executed on a political charge as he would be the king of Jews or Israelite. The
history of Judas display the characteristics of treasonous, treacherous, greedy and
demonized “Judas” synonymous with “Jews”. During the middle ages Christians leveled
Judaism as religion of cannibalism, a visible alien group in a society dominated by the
Christian worldview. This is how holocaust event were being justified because Jewish
hand was full of Christian blood from the very beginning, and they (Jews) were also
refusing to convert to new religion as Christianity. There was popular stereotypical ideas
that support that Jews are blood thirsty people as they need blood of young child during
celebration of Yom Kippur a most sacred religious day for Jewish people. These kinds
of hatred or alienation may directly link with economic affairs, for example in Britain
during 1181 (Bury St. Edmund), 1183 (Bristol) and 1192, 1225, 1235 (other parts of
Britain), Jews were being accused for murder of Christian child, that raise popular mass
uprising against Jews, then their (Jews) properties were being plundered. Same
vindication of Jewish sufferings happened in 1171 (France) and 1235 (Germany). Belief
in Jewish ritual murder also penetrated the eastern Mediterranean: There were cases in
Aleppo (1810), Beirut (1824), Antioch (1826), Hama (1829), Tripoli (1834), Jerusalem
(1838), Rhodes (1840), Damascus (1840), Marmora (1843), Smyrna (1864), and Corfu
(1894). The Damascus case had international repercussions. The disappearance in
Damascus of a Capuchin friar, Thomas, and his Muslim servant, prompted Syrian
Capuchins to accuse the Jews of murdering Thomas to use his blood for Passover
rituals. Finally in 1965 second Vatican Council declared the whole episode of intentional
allegation period against Jews were fraud that caused terrible suffering to many Jews.
In the Nizzahon Vetus or Old Book of Polemic, written in the late thirteenth century, an
anonymous Jewish scholar convincingly refuted the charge of ritual murder:

“The heretics [Christians] anger us by charging that we murder their children and
consume the blood. Answer by telling them that no nation was as thoroughly warned
against murder as we, and this warning includes the murder of Gentiles. . . . [The
commandment] “Do not murder” refers to any man; thus we were warned against
murdering Gentiles as well. . . . Moreover, we were also warned against blood more
 36

than any nation, for even when dealing with meat that has been slaughtered properly
and is kosher, we salt it and rinse it and bother with it extensively in order to remove the
blood. The fact is that you are concocting allegations against us in order to permit our
murder.” ​[Marvin 2002, page 43-72 ]

5.2 Jew Hatred in Islamic Culture

Jews were the first people who accepted Islam in the earlier period when Islam was
raising in the time of Muhammad (pbuh). There were two sub group of Jews as ……...
in holy city Medina, who had given shelter to our prophet Muhammad. Newly converted
Jews to Islam in Jerusalem helped Muhammad to establish Al-Aqsa mosque as first
Qibla​, right after the holy incident of ​Miraj it was being changed to Mecca. Allah had
given them so much respect in earlier days, and used to send all previous prophets in
their caste called Bani Israel. This is why many Jews opposed Muhammad as last
messenger because they thought that last prophecy would come to their caste as it
happened before. But it is also true that they had betrayed most of the time and ignored
Allah’s command several times. Then they were being punished when the honor of
prophecy had been taken from them. As you know Islam always accept both Jews &
Christians as ​Ahle-Kitab​(People of the Book) who follower of our earlier respected
prophets like Moses & Jesus. They had been instructed to follow the message of last
prophet Muhammad, some of them accepted Islam and some of them did not.

References to Jews in the Koran are mostly negative: “Wretchedness and baseness
were stamped upon them, and they were visited with wrath from Allah. That was
because they disbelieved in Allah’s revelations and slew the prophets wrongfully”; “And
for their taking usury which was prohibited for them, and because of their consuming
people’s wealth under false pretense, we have prepared for the unbelievers among
them a painful punishment.” The Koran requires their “abasement and poverty”;
abasement took the form of the poll tax and the humiliating ceremony in which it was
paid; in his “wrath” God has “cursed” the Jews and will turn them into apes/monkeys
and swine and idol worshippers because they are “infidels.” [Marvin 2002, page ]
 37

The second Islamic holy book Hadith quote, “Jews were cursed and changed into rats"
[Sahih al-Bukhari, 4:54:524]. TheHadith (tradition, law, legend) is even more scathing in
attacking the Jews: They are debased, cursed, anathematized forever by God and so
can never repent and be forgiven; they are cheats and traitors; defiant and stubborn;
they killed the prophets; they are liars who falsify scripture and take bribes; as infidels
they are ritually unclean, a foul odor emanating from them in such is the image of the
Jew in classical Islam, degraded and malevolent. Yet, ordinarily, “the Jews” could not be
said to have “killed” Muhammad, who was neither a Jew nor a god. There is no
accusation of deicide (in fact, Sura 4:157 of the Koran, referring to the Jews and Jesus,
says “they killed him not”), no appropriation of the Jewish Bible as an Islamic sacred
text, and “virtuous Hebrews” is not translated into “virtuous Muslims” in contrast to the
“stiff-necked, criminal Jews.” [Marvin 2002, page 265-268 ]

Jews are the only people who are very harmful for Muslim people according the
perception one of my participant, “There has no doubt that Jewish people are very direct
enemy of Muslim Ummah, their hand is covered with blood of innocent Muslim children
and women. This kind of hostile behavior of Jewish people has been mentioned in
Quran and Hadith. They are the most disloyal people to Allah, so that they made suffer
Musa (pbu) lots of time, for example when Musa (pbu) had climbed on the sacred hills
called Tur Pahar then Jewish people made a golden cow and started to worship it, for
this reason they were being punished for their dids.”

5.3 Contemporary Jewish-Muslim relationship

In November 1998, an Egyptian newspaper cited what it called “the important book,”
The Jews in Egypt in the Modern Era (1991), which describes how “the Jews carry out
human sacrifices to please their blood-thirsty God,” and claimed that the Talmud states:
“We have . . . ways of satisfying our God . . . using matzoh mixed with human blood.”
The article, written by Dr. Fahmi Abd al-Salaam, describes in graphic ways how “rabbis
slaughter a person prior to his being sacrificed to God” and mix the blood with flour
 38

when making matzoh, which is then devoured “with an appetite commensurate with
​ ccording to the religious
their hatred for Jesus and Christians.” [Marvin 2002, page ]​. A
perception of one of my informant, ​Jews would pose hostility toward Muslim people as
prophecy, and see what happens in middle-east, how Israeli people are treating
​ nd they had
Palestinians. Jews also had war with Muhammad as Battle of Khaybar a
also make alliance with Kafirs in other wars against Islam. I believe that still nowadays
they’re doing it as conspiring against Muslim people. ​One of my participant who is
Muajjin in a local mosque said that, “Who doesn’t know about the sorrow of Palestinian
Muslim people? They had given shelter to escaping Jews from Europe but in return
Jewish people betrayed and occupied the home land of Muslim Palestinian people. This
is why Adolf Hitler quoted about Jews that I could have killed all the Jewish people but I
would have kept some of them alive to show the world actually why I killed so many
Jews (during holocaust). Everyday Israeli people are killing and torturing Palestinian
people without any kind of mercy or humanity. About global war on Islamic terrorism I
would ask you that, who had created Osama Bin Laden or ISIS? America and their
allies Israel isn’t it? They want to prove Muslim people as terrorist then they would
receive license to kill innocent Muslim people and portray Islam as religion of violence,
whereas the fact is Islam is the only religion of peace on this earth.”

Another participant in this research study has been quoted about Jewish Muslim
relationship, “the issue of International Islamic militants group like ISIS or Al-Qaeda has
receive sympathy for the cause of Palestinian issue as true, because International
Islamic militants group recruits their new members by sympathizing the cause of
Palestinian sufferings. Rafsun is hopeful about the future of Jewish-Muslim/Arab good
relationship could be possible with tolerance and promotion of religious harmony. He
again accept about the presence of Anti-Semitic public expression in this country.” (as
reasons popular religious motive, media representation, political rhetoric, dominant view
Palestine Issue, Islamic Perception and OIC).
 39

Chapter 6: Summary and conclusion

6.1 Defining Anti-Semitism in Bangladesh

To define Anti-Semitism in Bangladesh, there has Chimeric Anti-Semitism: is a notion

that there is a kind of fantastic, hallucinating, deeply obsessive hatred toward Jews.
Although none of my participants or neither most of the people have never been in
physical contact with Jews, but there is a traditional form of hatred has been nurtured.
Now a days definition of Anti-Semitism is very much related with the state of Israel, to
ensure this point I've specially asked my participants several times about Jewishness of
Israel, or Judaism as Zionism. 3D form of Anti-Semitism as Demonization, Double
Standards, DE-legitimization proposed by Natan Sharansky would be helpful to
understand the form of Anti-Semitism in Bangladesh. In the case of Jew Hatred culture
among Muslim people in Bangladesh is something like either fish or fowl.

6.1.1 DE-legitimation of Jewish people: ​All of my participants ​has been agreed about
Israel as representative state for Jews, and they have no idea about existing second
large Muslim population in there. While Bangladesh Government doesn't accept Israel
as a nation state, so it officially delegitimize Israel openly. Even if any ruling party
declare Israel as a nation state then it would lose its power overnight, just because of
public sentiment against Israel as a Jewish state. Popular notion regarding Israel has
been considered it as a Jewish state over Arab Muslim population in Palestine where
Jews are invaders from Europe. Jews were being kicked out from Europe for their evil
deeds, untrustworthiness, disloyalty, and conspicuousness.

6.1.2 Demonizing of Jewish People

During ethnographic field study on Anti-Semitism in Bangladesh, very often I used to

ask a question that, how would describe the popular perception of Bangladeshi people
toward Jewish people, one of my most liberal participants says that, ``Yahudi”” -
enemies of Muslims, Jewish people very much hated in Bangladesh.” These kinds of
 40

answers were very much common among all of the participants. So there is no doubt
that Jewish people are being very much hated in Bangladesh. Why they are being hated
there has as usual answer of evilness of Jews. Jewish people are accused for being
conspirators, deceiver and anti-Islamic just like in European context. In the context of
Bangladesh, there has a similar point of view against Jewish people has been nurtured
among local political religious sentiment. Many Bangla Islamic political videos in
YouTube that claims that the arrival of Dajjal as Anti-Christ would happen in Israel, most
specifically among Jewish people. Is it not a pure form of demonization of Israel as a
Jewish nation? Whenever any kind of terrorist attack take place even if it has been
carried out by militant Islamist groups but blaming on Israel for those terrorist attacks is
another crucial form of Demonization of Israel.

6.1.3 Double Standard on Jewish People

There is no doubt in popular perception toward Jews, always consider them as

aggressive people not defender of their own kinds. Here the debate of double standard
political point of view starts. There are many colonial nations established on native
lands with the European settlements, for example Australia has been established over
aborigines, modern America has been established over native Red Indians. But Israel
issue seeks for most attention and negative reviews perhaps it happened in 20th
century or most recently. Again the role of World Zionist movement has similarity with
the politics of Muslim league party in pre partition Scenario in both British mandate
Palestine and Colonial India, when Jinnah demands for separate state for Muslim
people in great Indian subcontinent. Here the form of double standard has been mostly
observed, if Muslim people of India can demand for their own state then why Jewish
people cannot demand for themselves, although there has differences in geographical
context. Another form of double standard that I've been observed in the case of
Chittagong hill tracts conflict between Bengali Muslim and non-Muslim ethnic minority
groups of people. Here the role of Bangladeshi settlers and strong military oppression
has been denied to be accepted by majority of Muslim people in Bangladesh.
 41

6.2 Anti-Semitism & Anti Hinduism

It is also tough to distinguish between Anti-Semitism (political) and Anti Judaism

(religious) in this context, when one eyed principle of reasoning behind this form of hate
culture has been reinforced by media narratives on the suffering of Muslim people in
Palestine. Here the political issues has been emerged with the religiously unifying
factors, for example the suffering of Muslim people in Kashmir, India has been
connected with Anti Hinduism (religious) and Anti Indianism (political) sentiment among
Muslim majorities in Bangladesh. The basic differences between Anti-Semitism or Anti
Judaism with Anti Hinduism or Anti Indianism is, one (Jew hatred) has been considered
legal by Bangladesh government officially, whereas the other (Hindu hatred) has been
considered illegal by the same government. At the end of the day I assume both hate
cultures as negative outcome of sentiment of the mass people, what should be
neutralized for the sake of peaceful and fruitful coexistence and cooperation between
diverse religious or racial groups? In the context of Bangladesh, when dominant Muslim
population has been consider the actions of Israel over Palestine as the actions of Jews
over Muslim that should not be a rational option to spark the flame of hate cultures like
Anti-Semitism.

6.3 Anti Semitism & Islamophobia

There should have no doubt that both hate cultures of Anti Semitism and Islamophobia
shared similar origin and roots in West, more identically in central European region. In
the Christian dominant social structure both Judaism and Islam has been identified as
threat from outside for the reason of differences in religious and cultural practices.
Primarily the millitant islamic movements cause Islamophobia, although in total Muslim
population of Germany only 1% has been identified as follower of millitant form of Islam
[Bunzl, M. 2005]. Perhaps the same happened to shape up the tradition of hatred
toward Jews, when they were being accused to kill Jesus Christ, blood rituals, forbidden
 42

economic practices and political conspiracies, whereas there might have few numbers
of Jews were involved in but at the end of the day the entire Jewish population were
being targeted by the hate culture like Anti Semitism.

6.3 Conclusion

While there has academic debates on definition of Anti-Semitism when a pro-Israeli

group would say that opposing Zionism and the State of Israel is the modern form of
Anti-Semitism, at the same time an anti-Israeli group would refuse to accept this kind of
definition on Anti-Semitism. At the end of this research, I came to understand that
modern form of Anti-Semitism become more complex than before, because this form of
hate culture has been hidden behind the envenomed representation of Israel based on
the one eyed Arab perception only. Here most of my participants’ perception regarding
Jewish people has been shaped by the actions of Israel as a state what represents the
image of the majority of Jewish people on this planet.

In 1971 Bangladesh liberation war time first Prime Minister Tajuddin Ahmed was being
praised by the popular notion of media narrative, for his refusal on Israel's offer of
recognition and military help, during crucial wartime how to refuse such offers? This
answer may be found in the matter of securing membership in OIC and achieving
support from Arab Muslim countries, geo political factors of former Pakistan regime that
may have also shaped emotional reasons for early Anti-Semitism in Bangladesh. Later
in 80s plenty Bangladeshi youth volunteers went to Lebanon to fight against Israel for
great Palestinian causes, sending fighters has also portrayed as reason of Islamic
integrity and this is why Bangladesh has a big history of moral friendship and political
alliance with Palestine from the very beginning, it could be considered as both balanced
or negative reciprocity. I wonder how Palestinian Arab struggle has been described as
reflective visualization of struggle during Bangladesh Liberation war, when both
Bangladesh and Israel had to fight against religiously oriented nationalistic homogeneity
 43

and both newly born nations had to stand for its unique linguistic and cultural
preservation.

As an Anthropology student I have been taught to understand the perception of others,

so I did so at first I tried my best to understand the perception Jews and Israelis through
internet sources and discussions with Jewish individuals through social media.
Secondly, I have tried my best to exhibit Anti-Semitic perception, understanding and
knowledge of participants based on interviews, surveys and observational studies. I
have described the various types of discussion with my informants, there have had
formal, informal and virtual discussion. Most of the informants I’ve had met during
conducting my research was the same university students as mine, although I’ve had a
plan to visit different universities but for the reason of limitation of time, comfort ability
and other resources, I was unable to do so. I've found that to discuss about my research
topic it requires very much rapport building factors and friendly relations with my kind
informants to participate. While I was transcription interviews on text format in many
different timeline, it was being varied one to another on modes of description pattern.
This research may also contain many bias information according to the reader’s
perception for the reason of my own personal point of view on the overall issue.
 44

References

Brustein, W.I. and Brustein, W., 2003. Roots of hate: Anti-semitism in Europe before the Holocaust.
Cambridge University Press.
Schweitzer, F. and Perry, M., 2005. ​Anti-Semitism: Myth and hate from antiquity to the Present​. Springer.
Favret-Saada, J., 2014. A fuzzy distinction: Anti-Judaism and anti-Semitism (An excerpt from Le
Judaisme et ses Juifs). ​HAU: Journal of Ethnographic Theory,​ ​4(​ 3), pp.335-340.
Bunzl, M., 2005. Between anti-Semitism and Islamophobia: Some thoughts on the new Europe. ​American
Ethnologist​, ​32​(4), pp.499-508.
Sharansky, N., 2004. 3D test of Anti-Semitism: Demonization, double standards, delegitimization. ​Jewish
Political Studies Review,​ ​16(​ 3-4), p.3.
Rabbi Sacks. (2019). Rabbi Sacks on the connection between Judaism and Israel - Rabbi Sacks. [online]
Available at: http://rabbisacks.org/rabbi-sacks-on-the-connection-between-judaism-and-israel/ [Accessed
19 Aug. 2019].
Wisse, Ruth (2018). ​"Podcast: Ruth Wisse on the Nature and Functions of Anti-Semitism"​. Tikvah.
Retrieved 27 October 2018.
 45

Appendix

8.1 Evolution of Anti-Semitism

Early Age Antisemitism (0-600 bce)

Rise of Christianity as Conflict of Old Vs New
Politics with the concept of Messiah
Destruction of the First Temple by Roman
Middle Age Antisemitism (700-1700)
Jewish Migration & Displacement to Europe
Rise of Islam
Christianic & Islamic race for Jerusalem
Modern Age Antisemitism (1800-1970)
Rise of Nationalism in Europe & Arab
Formation of Zionist Movement
Holocaust Event
Formation of Israel
Post Modern Antisemitism (1980- )
State sponsored Anti Semitism in Muslim Countries
Never ending Israel Palestine Issue
 46

8.2 Formula of Anti-Semitism in Bangladesh

Anti Judaism as Religious Conflict

(+) = Contemporary Anti Semitism in BD
Anti Semitism as Political Agenda

Post-Modernist Religious Conflicts inspired by multiple Political/Economic Agenda

Turn as
Post-Modernist hostilities toward Jews end up in denial of the existence of Israel

Negative representation of Israel in National mainstream media as first visible

identification marker of Anti Semitism. ​(Media Politics)

Cycle of Anti Semitism

Israel-Palestine Conflict (Political/Religious)
⇕
Relationship with Israel (Political/Economic)
⇕
Epistemological Ignorance toward Israel (Media)
⇕
Supporting Violence against Israel
⇕
National Political Reflection toward Israel
⇕
Zero negotiation mentality with Israel
⇕
Cycle of hatred & conflict continues
 47

8.3 Case Studies

A. Tariqul Islam Mohan

29th January, 2019, I’ve conducted first formal interview with Mohan (24) in an informal
settings during a friendly meeting in a tea stall located behind GP head office
Bashundhara R/A. Mohan studies on Journalism stream in Media & Communication
department of IUB, he has a plan to work on mainstream journalism after completing his
study in here. I started my discussion with Mohon by saying that, as you will be a
journalist in future so your perception toward religious politics and mass sentiment
toward Jewish people will be very important/useful for my research. Mohan agreed to
participate and seemed very much positive to talk about this issue, then I started to ask
him relevant questions on my research topic.

What is your Perception as future Journalist, regarding Indo-Pak Conflict,

Reasons behind Indo-Pak separation and British Colonialism according to your
overall political observation?

If I had to talk about separation of India-Pakistan,..... we had leaders like Gandhi, Nehru
and Zinnah, welly educated from England, on the other hand we used to also had
leader like Netaji Bose. In that political crisis period of time during Indo-Pak separation
the political role of Netaji…. I think more progressive/positive steps toward “freedom” of
sub continent rather than the political role of, Gandhi, Nehru & Jinnah, because their
decisions were politically motivated to climb in “power” only. Hindu Muslim conflict as
the only reason for Indo-Pak separation, this sort of information I don’t take positively
either, because everyone shares almost similar cultural values among each other.

What do you think about Hindu-Muslim conflict? Would you like to

elaborate please.

I think it was completely absurd/pathetic in the Bangladesh context of separation with

Hindu majority India. In the case of people living near the border they didn't even know
in which country they are gonna live tomorrow. I don't think there was matter of Hindu
Muslim conflict was being present in this country before partition, all these things were
being introduced by British Colonial regime as divide and rule policy.

Do you know about Israel Palestine partition happened in same timeline?

 48

I don't know that much deeply about that incident but I know about the unjustified
creation of Jewish Israel over the land of Muslim Palestine. Here again British Colonial
powers played a very nasty game against Arab Muslim people.

What is your perception about Jewish people?

My perception about Jewish people is quite good because they are very talented people
as Allah has been said in Quran. But I feel bad about them when they oppress on
Palestinian people and occupy their lands and home. This is not only my feelings about
them most of the people in this country have a very negative feelings on Jewish people
for their deeds on Palestine.

Do you know about holocaust event when six millions of Jews died on the
hand of NAZI?

Yeah I know about that incident, there was a statement made by Adolf Hitler that I'm not
killing all of the Jews in gas chamber but leaving some of them to survive, so that the
world can realise that exactly why I've to kill so many Jews. And personally I respect
Adolf Hitler for his deeds back in ww2. Actually Jews were conspirator in prospective
Germany and they made an alliance with Imperial powers like Britain and America to
enslave all other backward countries.

Do you think Bangladeshi local media portray Israel Palestine issue

properly?

Hmm, according to my own perception on local media as mirror of the face of overall
political and social understanding of mass people, because local people used to form its
own institution as media. In this case, it is quite true that local media of Bangladesh
always stand with the cause of poor palestinian muslim people, this is why we used to
know about the brutal nature of Israeli security forces. If any local media shows its
sympathy toward Israel or Jewish people, then mass people will criticize that media
organization so badly that it could be paralized for certain time also.

B. Noor Siam

18th May 2019, the second formal case study I’m going to describe on the open ended
discussion with Siam (24), a student of Computer Science discipline from Engineering
Department, of IUB. At first glance anyone would accept him as very much devoted
Muslim, who used to practice his religion too much strictly than other students. I met
 49

Siam at the first day of orientation class for LFE course , I noticed him, when my friend
Joya Rahman had been instructed by LFE course coordinator to be paired with him as
group study partner. Next day of orientation class Siam asked to chief course
coordinator to replace his study member with a male partner, because working with
female stranger may cause rejection of gender segregation laws prescribed in Islam. I
think this scenario will assert about religious and political condition of Siam’s orthodox
perception. In my research methodology, I’ve had previously claimed to portray about
Anti Semitic perception of Clergy/Hujur/Orthodox Muslim people through formal/informal
interviews. I classify this case study of Noor Siam in this part. During the 4th day of LFE
in Jessore venue, after having lunch together I interacted with Siam and let him know
about the topic of my senior report then asked for his permission/willingness to arrange
an informal meeting sometimes. Siam looked interested and accepted my request
positively. After few days later I set with Siam to discuss about my research topic
around 3 o'clock in the evening in prayer room of RRF TARC where our LFE program
held. In the beginning I started our conversation on Anti Semitism like,

When you hear about Jews, then how do you feel and what is Islamic
perception on Jews?

Siam smiled and replied, ​“I feel good, because Jews were the first people who accepted
Islam in the earlier period when Islam was raising in the time of Muhammad (pbu).
There were two sub group of Jews as ……... in holy city Medina, who had given shelter
to our prophet Muhammad. Newly converted Jews to Islam in Jerusalem helped
Muhammad to establish Al-Aqsa mosque as first ​Qibla,​ right after the holy incident of
Miraj it was being changed to Mecca. Allah had given them so much respect in earlier
days, and used to sent all previous prophets in their caste called Bani Israel. This is why
many Jews opposed Muhammad as last messenger because they thought that last
prophecy would come to their caste as it happened before. But it is also true that they
had betrayed most of the time and ignored Allah’s command several times. Then they
were being punished when the honor of prophecy had been taken from them. As you
know Islam always accept both Jews & Christians as A ​ hle-Kitab(​ People of the Book)
who follower of our earlier respected prophets like Moses & Jesus. They had been
instructed to follow the message of last prophet Muhammad, some of them accepted
Islam and some of them did not.”

Is it true that, all people from Ahle Kitab group are being friendly/brotherly
toward Muslim people as Quran claimed, in the same time in other part of Quran,
it also claim about especially Jews as enemy of Muslim? How would you describe
it?
 50

Yeah it is true that Jews would pose hostility toward Muslim people as prophecy, and
see what happens in middle-east, how Israeli people are treating Palestinians. Jews
also had war with Muhammad as B ​ attle of Khaybar a ​ nd they had also make alliance
with Kafirs in other wars against Islam. I believe that still nowadays they’re doing it as
conspiring against Muslim people.

“Christians (Roman Empire) also had long history of war as Crusade

against Islam (Caliphate Empire), but still Christians get more sympathised by
Islam than Jewish people. Do you agree with this statement and if yes then how
would you describe?” ​I replied as reaction.

Siam accept this statement and added that, ​“Islam gives a great honor to prophet
Isa/Jesus (pbu) as messenger, whereas Jews denies about the miracle during the birth
of Jesus as they denies the capability of Allah and put him into trial then crucified him,
but he resurrected after three days…… There is no other religion that gives so much
respect to prophets of Christians and Jews still disbelieve on Jesus as prophet. Here is
the similarity of Muslim and Christian people where Jews unfit. Jews were being jealous
about Muslim people specially Muhammad because he get prophecy out of their caste. ”

Here I put informal online discussion with Noor Siam (mentioned in formal part also) on
Facebook, to portray about his devotion toward Islam, willingness to identify my faith
and genral perception toward Jewsih people. This conversation was really generating
tension inside me for the reason of further rapport and relationship with sophisticated
participant like Siam. Here this online discussion has been translated and recorrected in
few manners.

Me# Hello Brother!!! Can you please mention me some references from
Quran & Hadith related with Jewish people?

Siam# There has some rules and obligations to share Islamic matters, in this moment
I’m not being prepared to share anything like this. Do you accept Islam as your religion,
or not?

What type of question is this? Of-course I acknowledge existence of Islam

and Muhammad (pbu) is the prophet of Islam.

Because I’m not sure about you. Anyone would accept about the existence of islam, but
not everyone accept Islam as religion of Allah, neither they accept Muhammad (pbuh)
as last messenger of Allah. Do you accept?
 51

Yeah I do accept Muhammad (pbuh) as prophet still the concept of Imam

Mahdi make confusion about last prophet isn't it?

Which one is the right of these two? You are in confusion or you do believe without any
hesitation that he is the last prophet.

I don't wanna lie to you brother I've confusion...

I am not saying you are lying. Even though I hate to assume something negative about
someone. It is prohibited in Islam

Hmm you are going to have negative impression on me if you come to

know that I've more acceptance on Moses (pbuh) than Muhammad (pbuh)?

I've lost many friends right after saying this truth about me it really hurts.

We acknowledge Moses(pbuh) more than jews. This is an obligation upon us. I said
about assumption regarding the matter whether you are lying or not. Whatever,
confusion and true belief can not stay in the same place. This does not make any
sense. I just want an exact answer. My purpose is not to insult or cutting relation after
knowing you. I have to know your basic understanding before providing those
information otherwise fragmented knowledge causes misconception.

Well what do you want to know about my faith? I'm believing on Judaism or
Islam? Right?

I'm learning Judaism from 2014 and still I don't lose my faith on Islam I
respect people who practice Islam conservatively.

Okay. So still you do believe prophet Muhammad (pbuh) as last and true prophet? Yeah

Don't lose your patience as you have to go through many of my questions. please
sincerely watch this video. (As he shared a Youtube Video on Salman Farsi RA)

C. Anwar Abdullah Sumon

30th May 2019, the third participant I’m going to describe as a Case Study for the
research on Anti Semitism is Sumon (27) an active Muajjen in Vogra Mosque,
Chandona, Gazipur. He studied at Qawmi Madrasa discipline, as he completed his
religious study from Comilla. Last year I got introduced with him in milad mahfil for death
anniversary of my grandfather. At first I was feeling a bit confused about how to start a
discussion with him about my research topic on Anti-Semitism, laterly I started my
conversation with Sumon in very casual manner and I got the point directly about his
perception on Jewsih people. I’ve talked with Sumon about my research related topics
 52

for 10 minutes and then he asked me exactly why I’m being interested to talk about
Jewish people. I’ve explained my intention as I was doing an academic research on
Antisemitism in Bangladesh. Here I did not ask him about Islamic perception on Jewish
people and I did not show him survey questionnaire. Here I would demonstrate the
conversation between me and Sumon about relationship between Jewish and Muslim
people bellow.

When you heard the word “Yahudi” (Jewsih People) then what comes in
your mind first?

As I expected Sumon said that, ​“There has no doubt that Jewish people are very direct
enemy of Muslim Ummah, their hand is covered with blood of innocent Muslim children
and women. This kind of hostile behavior of Jewish people has been mentioned in
Quran and Hadith. They are the most disloyal people to Allah, so that they made suffer
Musa (pbu) lots of time, for example when Musa (pbu) had climbed on the sacred hills
called Tur Pahar then Jewish people made a golden cow and started to worship it, for
this reason they were being punished for their dids.”

Do you think that Jewish people were chosen people of Allah that in Quran
there has entire Sura (Bani Israel) had dedicated to them?

Sumon replied, ​“Yes it is true that Allah had given them so much importance before but
they did not obey his rules. Because Jewish people are most suspicious, untrustworthy
and unbeliever people on the earth, this is why they lose their importance and being
cursed by Allah. From the very begining of Islam Jewish people tried sevarel time to
destroy and destract Muslim people till now days they are doing this. Jewish people also
knew about arrival of Muhammad (pbu) as last prophet of Allah but they ignored his
invitation of Islam. Jewish People made alliance with Kafirs of Mecca and helped them
to fight against Muhammad but they’ve failed.”

Do you belive that this hostility between Muslim and Jewsih people will
ever end? ​Sumon said that, ​“Of course not they have increased the volume of hostile
behavior toward us everyday, and Jews are making conspiracy to mislead our faith,
honor and dignity. They are preparing the plot to to receive Dajjal with the help of their
British American allies. But I believe that Imam Mahdi will put an end to all evil before
the final days as Keyamat.”

How do you evaluate recent political activities in middle east specially the
matters of Israel-Palestine conflict and global war on Islamic terrorism?
 53

Sumon smiled and said that, ​“Who doesn’t know about the sorrow of Palestinian Muslim
people? They had given shelter to escaping Jews from Europe but in return Jewish
people betrayed and occupied the home land of Muslim Palestinian people. This is why
Adolf Hitler quoted about Jews that I could have killed all the Jewish people but I would
have kept some of them alive to show the world actually why I killed so many Jews
(during holocaust). Everyday Israeli people are killing and torturing Palestinian people
without any kind of mercy or humanity. About global war on Islamic terrorism I would
ask you that, who had created Osama Bin Laden or ISIS? America and their allie Israel
isn’t it? They want to prove Muslim people as terrorist then they would recieve license to
kill innocent Muslim people and portray Islam as relegion of violence, wherease the fact
is islam is the only religion of peace on this earth.”

Do you acknowledge about the rising alliance between Saudi and Israel?
Sumon says to me, ​“I don't know at all about what you are saying, but I acknowledge
about good relationship between the US and Saudi Arabia. While the US is the number
one buyer of Saudi’s oil resources, and it is true that Saudi royal family is not fulfilling
their task or responsibility toward global Islamic ummah properly. So that the non
Muslim powers get chance to exploit Muslim people very much.”

Do you have any idea about existing Muslim population living in Israel?

No I’ve never heard anything like this. If so, then they are betraying with Palestinians.

D. Shadman Zaman

Now I’m going to demonstrate another virtual conversation with Shadman Zaman (30) a
Bangladeshi personal who is on the process to converting into Judaism in UK. Here it
would portray a very different point of view rather than a typical Bangladeshi person
think about Judaism. I came to know about him from a news article published on online
news portal after he gave a TV interview broadcasted on an Israeli news channel. I
send him a friend request on Facebook and he accept me then we started to talk.

There was an article published in the Jerusalem Post titled like,

“BANGLADESHI, EXILED FOR VISITING ISRAEL, RETURNS TO JEWISH STATE”.
"I’m a stateless Zionist," says Sahdman Zaman, who was banned from his home
country after visiting Israel. Growing up in a majority Sunni country, Zaman said he was
surrounded by classic antisemitism. “Even in our school books, it said ‘Jews are the
mirror of Satan’ and ‘Zionists control the world,’” he told the Post. Zaman, the first visitor
to Israel on a Bangladeshi passport, was inspired by his grandfather, whom he
described as one of the earliest Bangladeshi Zionists. “My grandfather was one of the
 54

first people to speak out to say that Israel has a right to exist,” Zaman said, adding that
“Bangladesh was founded at the aspiration of Bengali people just as Israel was for the
Jewish people.” “Israel helped us during our own liberation struggle, but that part of the
history is not mentioned,” he lamented. Israel was one of the first nations to recognize
Bangladesh in 1972 following the Bangladesh Liberation War, however, the country
rejected this recognition. “Bangladesh rejected Israeli recognition for Arab aid,” Zaman
noted, adding that his grandfather went against the grain and advocated
Israel-Bangladesh relations. Zaman took up that torch and, as a young adult alongside
22 other like-minded Bangladeshis, he tried to establish a committee to encourage
Bangladesh-Israel relations. The effort failed and Zaman recalled that some of the
group were imprisoned and others killed by Islamist extremists because of their vocal
activism. Zaman has received death threats in the past, but said he was protected by
his family’s connections. Last year, however, his parents encouraged the qualified
doctor to move to the UK, believing that Bangladesh was no longer safe for their son.
He moved to the UK and later traveled to Israel for the first time.

https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Bangladeshi-banned-from-home-country-for-v
isiting-Israel-returns-to-Jewish-State

[BY TAMARA ZIEVE NOVEMBER 26, 2017 15:59]

Here is my discussion with Shadman Zaman through Facebook messenger apps, I

mentioned it in the spelling and grammatical corrected version.

Me# Mazal Tov (Congratulations) Brother!!! I hope with the help of God I
can follow your footsteps as well.

Shadman# I’m being converted right now. But they’ve made this news article like
I’m already being a Jewish already. They don’t even know or understand the meaning of
Jewish conversion yet.

Bangladeshi people have no idea about Judaism at all.

Before learning Judaism these people has to know how to translate from English to
Bengali at first.

We need to do this work, I’m learning on Judaism as Torah & Hebrew from
last two years. But all studying has been limited on online materials only.

Amazing. Move abroad. And u can convert to Judaism. Whatever good in Islam that all
has been copied from Judaism.
 55

I agree... I’m studying in IUB at Anthropology after Graduation I’ve plan to

move abroad.

If y need any advice let me know

Yeah sure you're my great inspiration.

People like you are my hope

I follow the instructions of Rabbi yosef Mizrachi and Rabbi Yaron Reuven.

Amazing. I read and follow the Mishneh Torah.

Well are you being completely banned to enter Bangladesh forever?

I never tried to come back. But when I went to Israel for the first time they informed my
parents that I am being banned to enter.

Bangladesh govt may have problem with Israel but they should not have a
problem with Judaism as religion because Bangladesh has Secular ideology. We
should put pressure reopen Jewish cultural center.

Well Brother, you know how our culture is. I hope my country and countrymen becomes
more open minded. We will. But one step at a time

Last Jewish center were closed Puran Polton in 1969 we should try to re
open it.

I know. But one step at a time

Hm you're right. I'm planning to demonstrate in Dhaka press club or in our

campus to remove ban on you. Maybe there will be very few people with me but it
will be the beginning

No don't. You will be jailed or killed. There won't be anyone that brave. Move abroad
and demonstrate in front of the Bangladeshi embassy for Bd-Israel relations. That will
get the foreign media to put pressure on the govt. Bangladeshi local media is all but
finished.

You’ve given a good advice. Well do you know about the response of
mainstream media about your journey to Israel or conversion to Judaism for
example Prothom-Alo or Daily Star and local TV Channels?
 56

I don't know. But I know that govt is under pressure from international media like the
New York Times, the guardian etc

E. Rafsun R Rahman

Rafsun is 24 years old, BSS student from Media & Communication Department, in IUB.
He also writes his personal blogs and play the role of social media activist as he claims.
He described his overall political view as more tilted toward Libarel ideas, then politically
ignorant ideas would be good enough while conservative political ideas would be
completely bad. He remarks all dominant religious groups of people in same level as
Muslim, Christian, Hindus, Buddhists & Jews own six (6) points, then pagan, satanist
community, particular cult etc. own as others foure (4) and at last Atheists as non
believer or subscriber of any religion he remark as bellow under average.

Do you think that your country is going on right political direction?

Rafsun thinks he’s country is not going on right direction because there has no freedom
of choice, freedom of speech, this is why he is feeling unhappy with the political
situation under the iron fist of current regime, what is so authoritative for one party rule.

What do you think about Jewish People?

Rafsun said that, Jews people are like normal people and they are not better than other
people, and they also have no complete control over global media & I don’t say that
Jewish people are only responsible for war.As he said . Jews are like other people, like
us and like everyone. ​He gave no direct answer about the Jewish loyalty toward Israel,
but Rafsun agreed about Jewish power as influence in the business world of
international finance through their practical contribution in Global technology and
Banking business. He mentioned about Zionist party as evil in Jewish disapora when he
remarks, US and EU have alliance with Zionist people for example [as cooperation with
Israel]. Rafsun believe that Jewish media still talk too much about the incident of
Holocaust event. Jewish influence in global political affairs still vulnerable. [ eastern
world Politics]. He accepts that in this country many people have negative feelings for
Jews. Again Rafsun agree about the ancient Jewish heritage around Judea & Samaria
as Jerusalem.

What do you think about Holocaust

Zionist people seek sympathy for Israel through crying for Jewish State of Israel. Rasfun
accept that Jewish people were victim of Holocaust event for indiscriminate
 57

genocide.He recognize that Holocaust event was not a myth but true/sad event of
WW2. Rafsun do not agree about the number of Jewish death in Holocaust as 6 million.

Do think the state of Israel influence your opinions about Jews?

Rafsun said that Israel doesn’t represent Jewish people as religion at all, because
Jewish people used to live in many Western countries. He believes that the State of
Israel is spoiling the name of Jewish people through engaging conflicts. He doesn’t
accept Israel as Jewish State (Delegitimizing Israel). Israel always pose offense toward
Arab nations especially Palestine. ***(Demonizing Israel, denying the rights of Jewish
people to defend.)

How do you remark on Islamic political activities from past to

contemporary global arena?

The matter of Indo-Pak partition and Arab Israel dividation was not same. Rafsun
agreed on the issue of International Islamic militants group like ISIS or Al-Qaeda has
recieve sympathy for the cause of Palestinian issue as true, because International
Islamic militants group recruits their new members by sympathizing the cause of
Palestinian sufferings. Rafsun is hopeful about the future of Jewish-Muslim/Arab good
relationship could be possible with tolerance and promotion of religious harmony. He
again accept about the presence of Anti Semitic public expression in this country. (as
reasons popular religious motive, media representation, political rhetoric, dominant view
Palestine Issue, Islamic Perception and OIC). He also added that, there has fight is still
going on between Imperialism Vs Eastern values, here Israel is representing the
Imperial will over indegenous estern values of palestininan people. Here Palestine,
Russia , Turkey, India and Iran represent East and NATO alliance, Israel and Saudi
Arabia represent imperialistic West.

Do you have any idea about existing Muslim population living in Israel?

Rafsun agreed about the presence of Muslim citizens in Israel, but he doesn’t believe
that Muslim people in Israel could have same rights as Jewish people.

Where do you get most of your information about Jews/Israel?

Rafsun came to know about Israel or Jewish issues most from Newspaper, Internet as
Social Media, and others.
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F. Rash Ha Muntaqa

Rasha Muntaqa is 25 years old, MSS student from Development Studies Department, in
IUB. She also runs her online doll business and make art works. Rasha acknowledge
on the topic of both religious and political hatred toward Jews as unknown matter to her
because of lack of concern to news on politics. She described her overall political view
as more tilted toward Libarel ideas, then politically ignorant would be good enough while
conservative political ideas would be completely bad. According to Rasha’s religious
perspective on all globally dominant religiously active groups like Muslim, Christian,
Hindus, Buddhists and Jews people own completely (0) zero point as their socio political
actions or impact on different groups of people, in this case only Athiest or less
religiously active groups (maybe seculer) people own full point as (10) ten. Rasha
classifies countries on the basis of happiness not political activities.

Do you think that your country is going on right political direction?

Rasha thinks that her country is not going on right direction because according to her
words, “tough to answer, not democratic at all, it some, kind like monarchy going on” .
She also noted that, “such as both parties have Patriarchal affiliation with former power
structure”. She described the political situation in Bangladesh as, “Turmoil is constant
which might be fueled by both party bad governance and other countries beneficiar
movements as India”.

What do you think about Jewish People?

I’ve never interact with a traditional Jewish person in my life so I can’t make any general
explanation about Jewish people, because I don’t know about them directly. According
to her participation in my survey she said that, Jewish people are just normal human
beings like any other people in the world, just like everybody to defending their own
cause sometimes Jewish people talks too much about holocaust event also. She
accepts that in this country many people have negative feelings for Jews as the
existence of dominant Anti Jewish notion among Bengtali Muslim people. She narrates
about Question 7 as, “ '' ``Yahudi”” - enemies of Muslims, Jewish people very much
hated in Bangladesh. Again Rasha said about Jewish heritage around Judea & Samaria
was centered in Jerusalem like, “Not mine to believe/describe. It is widely accepted by
people that own the history”.

What do you think about Holocaust

 59

Rasha said that, “In fact most of my idea about WW2 relates to the Nazi or the Shoah
running a systematic murder (mass, holocaust) on around six million Jewish people.
Rasha do agree about the number of Jewish death in Holocaust as 6 million.

Do think the state of Israel influence your opinions about Jews?

Rasha said that, “Not really, it is blurred out too many options and sides”, “Should
invoke worse impression on Israel and Jews but not mine to judge”. Israel pose offense
mostly toward Arab nations especially Palestine.

How do you remark on Islamic political activities from past to

contemporary global arena?

The matter of Indo-Pak partition and Arab Israel dividation, “Might be, then again
separation have many reasons and impacts can be versatile”. Rasha thinks the
International Islamic militants group like ISIS or Al-Qaeda has sympathy for the cause of
Palestinian issuewas, “Might have, as the internal conflict is inherited from past”. Rasha
was not hopeful about the future of Jewish-Muslim/Arab good relationship, she said,
“Not yet (for turmoil), I still cannot thinks so.(negative impact of people of different
religious group)

Do you have any idea about existing Muslim population living in Israel?

Rasha had no idea about the presence of Muslim citizens in Israel, with same rights as
Jewish people, she want to know more about them in future.

Where do you get most of your information about Jews/Israel?

Rasha came to know about Israel or Jewish issues most from TV, Internet as Social
Media, and Friends.
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8.4 Research Timeline Schedule

Now I present seven months long research work schedule as proper guidance for this
study.

Serial Date Tasks

No

1 January,2019 Discussing research proposal with supervisor.

2 February,2019 Experimental survey, interview and FGD

3 February, 2019 Conducting sociological survey

4 March, 2019 Analysis on survey result & discussion with supervisor.

5 March to May, 2019 Arranging one on one interview.

6 June 2019 Analysis, transcription & discussion with supervisor.

7 July 2019 Research writings

8 August 2019 Research Submission

​This table above is showing the entire research work process with the timeline.