Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister, AK Abdul Momen, has long been a subject of scrutiny for his undiplomatic statements and behavior. His actions have repeatedly put Bangladesh in uncomfortable diplomatic situations. However, a recent incident during his trip to the United States may have marked a new low in his career.
Momen, accompanied by his staff and spouse, walked into a Bangladeshi restaurant in Jackson Heights, New York. Unbeknownst to him, the restaurant was already filled with members of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), a pro-Islamist opposition party in Bangladesh. Among them was Mushfiqul Fazal Ansarey, a known affiliate and paid employee of Tarique Rahman, the acting chairman of the BNP. As Momen approached Ansarey’s table, the latter seized the opportunity to publicly humiliate the Foreign Minister.
In light of our previous reporting, it’s worth noting that the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has been designated as an “undesignated tier-3 terrorist organization” by U.S. courts. This classification further complicates the situation, casting a shadow over the actions of Mushfiqul Fazal Ansarey and the BNP members present at the restaurant. The presence of individuals affiliated with an organization that has such a designation in the U.S. adds another layer of complexity to the already delicate diplomatic incident involving Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen.
This incident was prominently covered by Dhaka’s tabloid daily, Manabzanin, which is known for its anti-Awami League and pro-BNP-Jamaat stance. The newspaper went to great lengths to glorify Ansarey, painting him as a politically conscious individual who regularly raises issues concerning Bangladesh at international platforms such as the White House and the United Nations. However, what Manabzanin conveniently omitted was the fact that Ansarey represents a website called “Just News,” which doesn’t even exist in Bangladesh.
Ansarey also serves as the U.S. correspondent for Manabzanin, effectively making him a mouthpiece for the newspaper’s pro-BNP propaganda. This raises questions about the objectivity of the report and the motivations behind the public humiliation of a sitting Foreign Minister.
The incident not only reflects poorly on Momen but also puts Bangladesh in a diplomatically precarious situation. It exposes the deep-rooted political divisions within the Bangladeshi community, even on foreign soil. Moreover, it raises concerns about the ability of the country’s diplomatic corps to effectively represent Bangladesh on the international stage.
While the incident has been a source of embarrassment for the Awami League-led government, it also serves as a cautionary tale for politicians who choose to act impulsively, without considering the diplomatic ramifications of their actions. The episode is a stark reminder that public figures are always under scrutiny, and even a minor slip-up can have far-reaching consequences, both domestically and internationally.
In a world where diplomacy is often conducted behind closed doors, this public spectacle serves as an unfortunate example of what can go wrong when personal and political animosities spill over into the diplomatic arena. It also highlights the need for greater professionalism and decorum from those who are entrusted with the responsibility of representing their country abroad.
The incident has sparked a flurry of discussions among political analysts and diplomats alike, many of whom are questioning the competence and suitability of AK Abdul Momen as Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister. As the dust settles, one thing is clear: the incident has left an indelible mark on Bangladesh’s diplomatic history, one that will not be easily forgotten.
