Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir

Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir (BICS) (Bangla:বাংলাদেশ ইসলামী ছাত্রশিবির) (Bengali for 'Bangladesh Islamic Students Camp') is a controversial student organization in Bangladesh. Though there is no direct and constitutionally accepted relation with Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh, but it is treated as the student wing of Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh which came into existence in 1941 and played a questionable role in liberation war of Bangladesh in 1971.

Organization and Leadership

This organization is cadre based. When a student agrees with its aim and objective he will be treated as "Shamarthak" meaning Supporter. After achieving four qualifications from supporter base, a student is considered as "Karmi", meaning worker. When a "Karmi" meets a predefined standard of knowledge, rituals, moral status and leadership quality, he is promoted to a "Shathi" meaning associate. When a "Shathi" is able to meet a higher standard of knowledge, rituals, moral status and leadership quality, he is promoted to a "Shadashawa" meaning member.Executive Council is the highest decision-making body of the outfit. The BICS has a central secretariat, comprising eight members. In addition, the BICS has established 6 divisions countrywide: Dhaka Division, Chittagong Division, Sylhet Division, Rajshahi Division, Khulna Division and Barisal Division. Each division has several districts and other units under its jurisdiction.Zahidur Rahman is the Central President of the BICS. Rezaul Karim is the Secretary General of the outfit. Other important leaders are: Shishir Mohammad Munir, Seikh Neamul Karim, Mirza Galib, Nurul Islam Babul etc.

Objective

According to the outfit, its objectives are to struggle for changing the existing system of education on the basis of Islamic values, to inspire students to acquire Islamic knowledge and to prepare them to take part in the struggle for establishing Islamic way of life.

Area of Influence

The ICS is one of the student fronts in the Universities and colleges of Bangladesh.

Worldwide Linkages

As one of the largest Islamist student organisations in South Asia, the ICS maintains a close relationship with various Islamist organisations of different countries. In 1979, the ICS secured membership of International Islamic Federation of Student Organisation (IIFSO). Its former President Dr. S A M Taher was also the Secretary General of IIFSO. The organisation is also a member of the World Assembly of Muslim Youth (WAMY).

References

External links

* [http://www.shibir.org.bd www.shibir.org.bd]
*Uddin, Sufia. Constructing Bangladesh: Religion, Ethnicity, and Language in an Islamic Nation. Chapel Hill: Univ. of North Carolina Press, 2006.
* [http://www.saag.org/%5Cpapers23%5Cpaper2275.html Islami Chhatra Shibir of Bangladesh - A Threat to Democracy] South Asia Analysis Group - June 26, 2007
*MIPT Terrorism Knowledge Base: ICS Profile- [http://www.tkb.org/Group.jsp?groupID=4065]

*SATP Profile of ICS. http://www.satp.org/satporgtp/countries/bangladesh/terroristoutfits/ics.htm