Statement from Mukto-Mona on recent false media claims about Avijit Roy's killers
Recently we've come across several news items related to the investigation of the murder of Avijit Roy, writer and founder of Mukto-Mona. We, the Mukto-Mona group, are protesting these attempts to create sensation among readers through glib and misleading clickbait headlines such as "Bonya Ahmed Identified Avijit Roy's Murderers" or "Bonya's Friend Provided Information to Avijit's Murderers." Many people have contacted us regarding this, and so, on behalf of Bonya Ahmed, we think it necessary to present accurate information on this matter.
Rafida Ahmed Bonya to deliver Voltaire Lecture 2015 on July 2
Writer Rafida Ahmed Bonya (hereafter Bonya), the wife of the founder of Mukto-Mona, famous freethinking Bengali writer Avijit Roy (1972-2015; hereafter Avijit), has arrived in London to deliver this year's prestigious Voltaire Lecture organized by British Humanist Association (BHA). The lecture will be held in Hilton London Metropole Hotel on July 2. BHA is organizing this lecture every year. Last year the lecture was given by Jim Al-Khalili, the president of BHA, and the year before that famous cognitive scientist Steven Pinker was the speaker.
Mukto-Mona to receive 'The Bobs jury award
As you might already know, The Bobs --- Best of Online Activism 2015 --- has given a jury award in the category of "Social Change" to Mukto-Mona. Adelheid Feilcke, Head of Partnership and Project Management of DEUTSCHE WELLE (DW), has sent the following letter to Bonya Ahmed inviting her to the reception ceremony of the award on behalf of Mukto-Mona. The award ceremony will be held in Bonn, Germany on 23 June, 2015.
Victory is Inevitable
By now you may have come to know that the founder and one of the moderators of Mukto-Mona blog Dr. Avijit Roy was brutally attacked and hacked to death on 26th February, 2015 in Bangladesh. His visit to Dhaka was primarily to spend time with his ailing mother. However, it was just natural that while there, he would attend Ekushey Boimela (the month-long national book fair held every year in February commemorating the 1952 Bangla language movement). He had two books published this year – "Victoria Ocampo" and "Shunno Theke Mohabissho" (From Zero to Infinity) co-authored by Dr. Mizan Rahman. Both have been well received by readers and critics. He longed for a chance to meet and greet friends and readers in a cordial atmosphere and Ekushey Boimela was indeed a unique opportunity for him. Understandably, he was enjoying a great time in the book fair.
The Truth Behind Reza Aslan's 'Brilliant' Take Down on Bill Maher
Moderator's note: Reza Aslan is a media celebrity and an Islamic apologist, who obviously feels threatened by the growing Atheist movement in the US and worldwide. One of his recent tweets he wrote, 'I've written about Muslims, Jews, Xtians, Buddhists, Hindus, Atheists. I've never received more venomous threats than I do from Atheists'(see here).
Release the bloggers - A Demonstration in front of the Press Club is called on May 2nd.
[An eight-story building collapsed Wednesday in Savar, an outskirts of the Bangladeshi capital, killing at least 123 people and injuring more than 1,000. Due to the National Day of Mourning in Bangladesh on April 25, protests have been postponed to May 2.]
Worldwide Protests Planned in Support of Bangladeshi Freethinking Bloggers on May 2
[An eight-story building collapsed Wednesday in Savar, an outskirts of the Bangladeshi capital, killing at least 123 people and injuring more than 1,000. Due to the National Day of Mourning in Bangladesh on April 25, protests have been postponed to May 2.]
