Mahfuz Anam

I would like to say with the utmost earnestness that a prosperous Bangladesh needs a very vibrant, free media. A thriving Bangladesh needs journalism of the highest standard. It does not need restrictive laws like the proposed Digital Security Act. Instead, a buoyant Bangladesh needs a very competitive private sector, a highly disciplined banking sector and an accountable and transparent administration.

On the occasion of the 27th anniversary of this paper, we, The Daily Star family -- directors, management and staff -- express our

This government's sterling achievement of setting in motion a “Digital Bangladesh” suffers a serious blow by way of the proposed Digital Security Act that the cabinet has just approved.

Bengal Foundation has, once again, treated us to a magnificent festival—of the best there is in Indian classical music—and this time in spite of some unexpected obstacles.

The New Year always promises to bring new hope, new opportunities and new ways of looking at our reality. It also

It was my grand privilege to have succeeded our founding editor SM Ali in November 1993. Journalism has undergone dramatic transformation in these last 24 years, regrettably not all for the better.

He was at his prime. Dynamic and full of energy, he was a man on a mission. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's surprising and insightful decision to nominate a nonparty man for the vital post of one of the two mayors of the country's capital turned out to be a brilliant one. Given the opportunity, he was determined to prove that he was a worthy choice.

In this special issue of Star Weekend, we tried to cover the persecution of the Rohingyas from various aspects. Written by renowned scholars with expertise in different fields, the articles argue for a more nuanced understanding of the crisis and suggest possible ways forward.

Myanmar, on its part must, realise that blaming all the current atrocities on the so-called terrorists and claiming that its security forces had nothing to do with the crimes committed, in spite of unvarying accounts of thousands of refugees to the contrary, is neither credible nor helpful in solving the situation.

Is history too much with us? In some sense, yes, but in its broader and deeper sense, no.

Nations fall into deadly intellectual traps – and we seem to have a special knack for doing so at regular intervals – when they try to judge historical events in accordance with the political convenience of the present. The memory of Bangabandhu is a classic example of how a national hero becomes a victim of politicisation of history.

As we observe the 42nd anniversary of Bangabandhu's most cruel and gruesome murder we are humbled by the memory of the man

We hope that instead of a knee-jerk reaction, the present ruling leadership will see the merit of the criticisms made and do their own homework so that all the vital organs of our constitution can work together and establish a functional state under law.

I did not know Faruq Ahmed Choudhury the diplomat, though I heard he was among the best that there could be – I will let others

Sheikh Hasina's upcoming visit to India during April 7-10 is turning out to be perhaps her most important bilateral visit to a country that surrounds Bangladesh from three sides, making it the only neighbour in all but physical sense.

A newspaper's strength is its readership, and thanks to you all, we have been and still are very strong. Though we have been made to

Yesterday the pro-ruling Awami League's student body, Bangladesh Chhatra League(BCL), celebrated its 69th birth anniversary. We

President Abdul Hamid will start his dialogue with BNP in order to constitute a new Election Commission due in early February

The interest, the patience, the discipline, enthusiasm shown by the Dhaka audience and the capacity to understand and appreciate the intricate renditions of a particular raga, displayed by our listeners with instant applause, speaks of the growth of a large number of genuine classical music enthusiasts that we never knew existed.

Twenty-six years ago the autocratic rule of Gen. Ershad came to an end in the face of years of mass agitation leading to the restoration of democracy and reinstatement of the representative government in 1991. Since then 6th December has been celebrated as Democracy Restoration Day.