Why Are 'Kalma' Flags Used By Al-Qaeda & Taliban Appearing On Bangladesh Streets & How Is It Related To FIFA World Cup?

Dhaka: Massive security concerns have been triggered in Bangladesh following the appearance of several 'Kalma' flags on roads, bridges, rooftops and in bike rallies. Notably, these flags are used by terrorist outfits like the Islamic State (ISIS), Al-Qaeda and Taliban.

The flags carry Arabic text- “La ilaha illallah” (There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah).

Security analyst Brigadier General (Retd) M Sakhawat Hossain said, "The issue is not the Kalima itself...The concern is whether symbols internationally associated with particular extremist organisations are being deliberately mainstreamed," Dhaka Tribune reported.

Two types of Kalma flags are being spotted-

• One with black-coloured Arabic text written on them with a white background. This is the flag used by Taliban.
• Another with white-coloured text written on them against a black background. This is flag used by outfits like Al-Qaida, the Islamic State and Hizb ut-Tahrir.

Notably, Hizb ut-Tahrir is an organisation that had been banned by the Sheikh Hasina government. After the fall of her government in 2024, there have been reports of rise in activities of the organisation in the country.

Sheikh Hasina is in living in a self-imposed exile in India.

How Are The Flags Related To FIFA World Cup?

With the ongoing fever of FIFA World Cup, several football fans have started displaying flags of Brazil and Argentina on their rooftops and poles.

According to Dhaka Tribune, several social media videos showed people carrying 'Kalma' flags in motorcycle rallies and processions, raising slogans rejecting the display of Brazilian and Argentinian flags in Bangladesh.

As per the report, authorities are verifying whether the display of flags are related only to football celebrations or whether there is a another purpose behind them.

‘This Is ’New Bangladesh'': Mohammad Ali Arafat

Mohammad Ali Arafat, the former Member of Parliament of Bangladesh who is associated with Sheikh Hasina's Awami League Party, said, "This is what Bangladesh looks like without the Awami League: Islamist extremist (jihadist) groups are operating freely, openly carrying flags associated with Al-Qaeda, ISIS, and similar organizations, as seen in the attached video. This is indeed a “New Bangladesh!”

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