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Action Against Ex-Envoy Harun Over Criticizing Interim Govt on FB
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has launched disciplinary actions against Mohammad Harun Al Rashid, the former Ambassador of Bangladesh to Morocco, following a controversial Facebook post in which he criticized the interim government instead of adhering to his recall order.
Harun Al Rashid was recalled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on December 11, 2024, and instructed to return to Dhaka without delay. However, he repeatedly delayed his return, citing various reasons, and ultimately vacated his post on February 27, 2025. Reports indicate that he moved from Rabat, Morocco, to Ottawa, Canada, and was expected to return to Dhaka on March 6, 2025, but failed to do so.
On March 13, 2025, Al Rashid posted a provocative write-up titled "A Plea for Bangladesh—and for Myself: Bangladesh’s Descent into Anarchy under Yunus—The World’s Silence is Painful" on his Facebook profile. The post expressed sharp criticism of the interim government and the Chief Adviser, Professor Muhammad Yunus, alleging that Bangladesh had descended into chaos since the formation of the interim government in August 2024.
In the post, Harun praised what he called the "abusive fascist regime" and painted a bleak picture of Bangladesh under the current leadership, accusing the interim government of exacerbating the country’s turmoil. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned the post, describing it as deeply disturbing and a deliberate distortion of the facts and the current situation in Bangladesh.
"It is completely unacceptable to publish such misleading content that not only distorts the reality but also tarnishes the reputation of the Chief Adviser and the hard work of the interim government," the Ministry stated. "It seems Mr. Harun has an ulterior agenda that undermines the national interests of Bangladesh."
Instead of following his recall orders, Harun Al Rashid remained in Canada, where he continued to post on social media. He referred to himself as a ‘persecuted diplomat,’ ‘exiled novelist,’ and ‘secular,’ terms seemingly intended to garner sympathy and justify his actions abroad.
In response, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has taken immediate action, including the revocation of his and his family’s passports. The Ministry has confirmed that it will initiate formal departmental proceedings to address Al Rashid's misconduct.
The Ministry emphasized its zero-tolerance policy for such behavior, reaffirming that it will take stern action against any diplomat or official who seeks to undermine the integrity of Bangladesh's foreign service.