Following protests and criticism from Islamist and anti-LGBTIQ+ religious organisations, Bangladesh’s Ministry of Religious Affairs retrieved copies of Nexus: A Brief History of Information Networks from the Stone Age to AI, written by Israeli historian and openly gay author Yuval Noah Harari, which had been presented to four Bangladeshi winners of an international Quran recitation competition. The books were withdrawn on the instructions of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. On Sunday, 20 September 2026, State Minister for Religious Affairs Mohammad Shamim Kaiser received the books back from the award-winning Quran memorizers, known as Hafezes, at his office in the Bangladesh Secretariat. According to a press release issued by the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the books were retrieved following the Prime Minister’s instructions.
Earlier, on 17 September 2026, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman hosted a reception for four Bangladeshi winners of the 46th King Abdulaziz International Quran Competition, held in Saudi Arabia. During the ceremony, organised at the Cabinet Division’s conference room in the Bangladesh Secretariat, the Prime Minister presented the winners with several gifts, including copies of Harari’s Nexus. The decision subsequently triggered criticism on social media, particularly concerning the author’s openly gay identity, his published views on religion and God, and allegations about the book’s content. Beginning on 19 September, several Islamist political and religious organisations, including Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh, the National Ulama Alliance, International Majlis-e-Tahaffuz-e-Khatme Nabuwwat Bangladesh, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Bangladesh Khelafat Andolan, Jatiya Tafsir Parishad Bangladesh, Islami Oikya Jote, and Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam Bangladesh, publicly condemned the decision through official statements and speeches. Several organisations explicitly cited Harari’s sexual orientation as a reason for their opposition and alleged that the book promoted or normalised homosexuality. They demanded the withdrawal of the books, an investigation into the selection process, identification of the officials responsible, and disciplinary or punitive action against those involved.
Following these protests, the Ministry of Religious Affairs implemented the decision to retrieve the books on 20 September. State Minister Mohammad Shamim Kaiser stated that immediate action had been taken in accordance with the Prime Minister’s instructions. The four award-winning Quran memorizers—Muhammad Zakaria, Sheikh Mohammad Mahmudul Hasan Ashrafi, Rabita Binte Ramadan, and Musfira Binte Mahmud—were present during the return of the books, along with their teachers. The ministry also stated that the government would continue implementing its commitments regarding international travel opportunities and other forms of assistance previously announced for the winners.
The decision to withdraw the books was welcomed by individuals actively involved in anti-LGBTIQ+ campaigns, including Mohammad Sorowar Hossain and Asif Adnan, along with their followers. They expressed appreciation for Prime Minister Tarique Rahman through posts on Facebook, thanking him for the decision. Meanwhile, members of Bangladesh’s LGBTIQ+ community expressed disappointment and concern over the government’s response. Their concerns centred on the withdrawal of books following pressure from religious organisations that had explicitly objected to the author’s sexual orientation. The decision raised questions among community members about the government’s approach to religiously motivated anti-LGBTIQ+ campaigns and the protection of sexual and gender minorities.
An LGBTIQ+ community member, speaking on condition of anonymity, expressed disappointment with the government’s decision:
“We had hoped that after the growing influence of far-right Islamist groups and the incidents of mob violence during the interim government, the election of a moderate government would bring some relief. We believed that our safety and human rights situation would improve under the new administration. Unfortunately, that has not happened. We are deeply disappointed that the Prime Minister ordered the withdrawal of books following pressure from religious groups simply because of the author’s sexual orientation. To us, this decision sends a message that the government is also siding with far-right Islamist groups.”
References
The following news reports document the withdrawal of the books and the government’s response to the controversy.
- Prothom Alo — Report on the withdrawal of the Nexus books and the government’s response, 20 September 2026.
Read the Prothom Alo report - bdnews24.com — Report on the withdrawal of the Nexus books and the government’s response, 20 September 2026.
Read the bdnews24.com report - Our Islam 24 — Report on the withdrawal of the Nexus books and the government’s response, 20 September 2026.
Read the Our Islam 24 report - Bangla Tribune — Report on the withdrawal of the Nexus books and the government’s response, 20 September 2026.
Read the Bangla Tribune report - Jago News24 — Report on the withdrawal of the Nexus books and the government’s response, 20 September 2026.
Read the Jago News24 report - Jugantor — Report on the withdrawal of the Nexus books and the government’s response, 20 September 2026.
Read the Jugantor report - The Daily Ittefaq — Report on the withdrawal of the Nexus books and the government’s response, 20 September 2026.
Read the The Daily Ittefaq report - Ajker Patrika — Report on the withdrawal of the Nexus books and the government’s response, 20 September 2026.
Read the Ajker Patrika report - Insaf — Report on the withdrawal of the Nexus books and the government’s response, 20 September 2026.
Read the Insaf report - NPB News — Report on the withdrawal of the Nexus books and the government’s response, 20 September 2026.
Read the NPB News report - Star News — Report on the withdrawal of the Nexus books and the government’s response, 20 September 2026.
Read the Star News report - Daily Destiny — Report on the withdrawal of the Nexus books and the government’s response, 20 September 2026.
Read the Daily Destiny report - Bangla Telegraph — Report on the withdrawal of the Nexus books and the government’s response, 20 September 2026.
Read the Bangla Telegraph report - Shamachar Darpan — Report on the withdrawal of the Nexus books and the government’s response, 20 September 2026.
Read the Shamachar Darpan report - Bangla TV — Report on the withdrawal of the Nexus books and the government’s response, 20 September 2026.
Read the Bangla TV report - Barta Bazar — Report on the withdrawal of the Nexus books and the government’s response, 20 September 2026.
Read the Barta Bazar report - Asia Post — Report on the withdrawal of the Nexus books and the government’s response, 20 September 2026.
Read the Asia Post report - Daily Protidiner Desh — Report on the withdrawal of the Nexus books and the government’s response, 20 September 2026.
Read the Daily Protidiner Desh report - Dainik Ajker Sangbad — Report on the withdrawal of the Nexus books and the government’s response, 20 September 2026.
Read the Dainik Ajker Sangbad report - Bhorer Kagoj — Report on the withdrawal of the Nexus books and the government’s response, 20 September 2026.
Read the Bhorer Kagoj report - Muktokontho — Report on the withdrawal of the Nexus books and the government’s response, 20 September 2026.
Read the Muktokontho report
