The Rise of Khilafah Movements: A Global Threat to Peace and Stability
The resurgence of radical Islamist movements advocating for the re-establishment of a Khilafat (Caliphate) has sparked serious concerns worldwide. Bangladesh, in particular, has recently witnessed alarming demonstrations by banned organizations like Hizb ut-Tahrir and Khilafah Majlis, raising questions about national security and global stability. This movement, outlawed in several countries, represents a significant threat to democratic governance, global peace, and secular societies.
Tulsi Gabbard’s Reaction and Warning to Muhammad Yunus
Tulsi Gabbard, the U.S. Director of National Intelligence, has been vocal about the dangers of Islamist extremism. She recently reacted strongly to the rising influence of Khilafat movements in Bangladesh, warning about their global security implications. During an intelligence briefing, Gabbard specifically addressed the alleged role of Muhammad Yunus in financing groups linked to the movement.
Gabbard stated that any financial or ideological support for extremist organizations, even under the guise of social work, will not be tolerated. She emphasized that individuals like Yunus, who have international influence, must be held accountable if they are found to be supporting radical agendas. She further urged global leaders to crack down on financial networks that fund Islamist extremism, calling for increased scrutiny on organizations associated with Yunus.
Her warning signals a growing international focus on Bangladesh’s internal extremist threats and highlights the need for stronger counterterrorism measures
The Khilafat Movement in Bangladesh: A Growing Menace
On March 7, 2025, thousands of supporters of Hizb ut-Tahrir—a group banned in Bangladesh since 2009—rallied in Dhaka, chanting slogans in favor of the Khilafat. The government swiftly responded with force, dispersing the crowd with batons, tear gas, and arrests. Similar protests erupted again on March 21, with groups like Khilafat Majlis and Hefazat-e-Islam taking to the streets, ostensibly to protest against Israeli actions in Gaza and alleged persecution of Muslims in India.
While these protests claim to advocate for Islamic solidarity, their underlying agenda is far more dangerous. These movements seek to dismantle democratic institutions and impose a theocratic regime, which would eliminate freedoms, oppress minorities, and jeopardize national stability.
The Global Ban on Khilafat Movements
The idea of an Islamic Caliphate is not new, but modern extremist groups have distorted its historical context to justify violence and political subversion. Many nations, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Russia, and several Middle Eastern countries, have banned organizations like Hizb ut-Tahrir due to their extremist ideologies and links to terrorism.
Governments worldwide recognize that Khilafat movements are breeding grounds for radicalization, paving the way for jihadist activities and insurgencies. The global ban is a response to their subversive tactics, which include recruiting vulnerable youth, spreading propaganda, and attempting to destabilize secular governments.
Who is Supporting the Khilafat Movement?
Despite international bans, certain groups and individuals continue to provide ideological and financial support to Khilafat movements. Radical preachers, foreign-funded madrassas, and even political figures with hidden Islamist agendas have been accused of backing such organizations.
Muhammad Yunus, the Controversial Link
Among the notable figures linked to Islamist agendas in Bangladesh, Muhammad Yunus, the Nobel Laureate, has come under scrutiny for his alleged associations with organizations promoting radical ideologies. While widely respected for his contributions to microfinance, Yunus has been accused of covertly financing groups with extremist leanings.
Reports suggest that some of his foundations have received funding from organizations with ties to Islamist movements. His ideological alignment with certain hardline factions has raised concerns about his influence on Bangladesh’s political landscape. If these allegations hold weight, it would signify a serious infiltration of extremist networks into mainstream social and financial institutions.
Why the Khilafat Movement is a Threat to the World
The revival of the Khilafat movement is not just a regional issue—it is a global crisis in the making. Here’s why:
- Threat to Democracy: The establishment of a Khilafat would dismantle democratic governance, replacing it with a religious autocracy that enforces Sharia law in its strictest form.
- Encourages Extremism: The ideology propagated by Khilafat movements has inspired terrorist groups like ISIS, Al-Qaeda, and the Taliban, leading to increased global terrorism.
- Undermines National Security: These movements operate as sleeper cells, infiltrating institutions, recruiting youth, and working to weaken secular governments from within.
- Economic Instability: Countries experiencing a rise in Islamist extremism suffer from declining foreign investments, brain drain, and economic downturns due to increased security risks.
- Persecution of Minorities: Under a Khilafat regime, religious and ethnic minorities would face systematic oppression, loss of rights, and even ethnic cleansing, as seen in historical precedents.
Conclusion: A Call for Global Action
The globally banned Khilafat movement has resurfaced in Bangladesh, with extremist groups like Hizb ut-Tahrir and Khilafat Majlis openly rallying for its establishment. This poses a severe threat to democracy, national security, and global peace. Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus has come under scrutiny for alleged ties to groups supporting this radical agenda. Tulsi Gabbard, U.S. Director of National Intelligence, has strongly warned Yunus and other supporters, emphasizing that any backing of extremist organizations will not be tolerated. The international community must act swiftly to curb the resurgence of this dangerous movement before it destabilizes the region further.
The international community cannot afford to ignore the rising influence of Khilafat movements. Countries must work together to dismantle these networks, cut off their financial sources, and counter their propaganda with education and awareness. Bangladesh, in particular, must take a firm stance against groups like Hizb ut-Tahrir and Hefazat-e-Islam to protect its secular and democratic identity.
Leaders like Muhammad Yunus, if proven to be linked to extremist activities, must be held accountable for any role in empowering these dangerous ideologies. The global fight against radicalism requires unity, vigilance, and decisive action before the world faces another wave of Islamist insurgencies.
The battle against the Khilafat movement is not just Bangladesh’s fight—it is a fight for global peace, security, and the preservation of human rights.
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