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A controversy has erupted in Bangladesh after a member of parliament from Jamaat-e-Islami, Ghazi Nazrul Islam, became the center of public debate over his alleged second marriage following the circulation of a viral video on social media. According to Bangladeshi media reports, the video showed Ghazi Nazrul Islam with a young woman whom he later identified as his second wife. The footage quickly spread online, prompting widespread discussion and speculation. A fact-checking organization examined the video and stated that it found no evidence suggesting it had been generated using artificial intelligence or digitally manipulated. Following that assessment, public attention shifted from the authenticity of the video to the identity of the woman and the nature of her relationship with the lawmaker. In a statement, Ghazi Nazrul Islam confirmed that the woman is his second wife. He said the marriage took place on June 17 with the consent of both families and the approval of his first wife. The lawmaker alleged that the viral video had been secretly recorded and later released as part of an extortion attempt and a politically motivated campaign to damage his reputation. His first wife also released a video supporting his account. She confirmed that her husband had married Maryam Begum as his second wife and said the marriage had taken place with her knowledge and consent. Maryam Begum also appeared in a separate video, identifying herself as Ghazi Nazrul Islam’s wife. She said the marriage ceremony was held on June 17 in the presence of both families and the lawmaker’s first wife. Despite these public statements, Bangladeshi media reported that documents related to Maryam Begum later surfaced on social media. The authenticity of those documents has not been independently verified, and neither the lawmaker nor Maryam Begum or her family has publicly addressed the apparent inconsistencies contained in them. According to the documents, Maryam Begum’s marital status was listed as “unmarried.” The papers also reportedly included a recommendation signed by Ghazi Nazrul Islam on June 22—five days after the claimed marriage—in support of her application for a government job. Reports said Maryam Begum had applied for public sector employment and that the MP had endorsed her application. Ghazi Nazrul Islam rejected all allegations arising from the documents. He claimed that on July 13 he visited an office in Dhaka’s Moghbazar area, where both of his wives were present. He alleged that his driver, his second wife’s uncle and several unidentified individuals held him captive, extorted 100,000 taka, demanded additional money and secretly recorded a private video, which was later circulated on social media. Meanwhile, Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh said it is gathering information about the incident and will decide on any organizational action once all facts have been established. Assistant Secretary General Ehsanul Haque Mahbub Zubair said the party is reviewing media reports as well as statements from the member of parliament, his two wives and the woman’s father before reaching any conclusion.

Pakistani American physician and human rights advocate Dr Asif Mahmood has been unanimously elected as chair of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom, becoming the first South Asian to lead the independent bipartisan body. Dr Mahmood, who previously served as the commission’s vice chair, described his election as a great honour and reflected on his journey from a small village in Pakistan to leading one of the world’s leading organisations focused on protecting freedom of religion and belief. In his acceptance remarks, he said he remains committed to defending the rights of people from all religious backgrounds as well as those who do not follow any faith. He expressed hope for a world where religious freedom, human dignity and peaceful coexistence are respected and protected. His appointment follows his reappointment to the commission for a second term in May 2026, extending his service until 2028. Earlier this year, he noted that he was the first Pakistani, the first Muslim and the first Asian American to serve consecutive terms on the commission. The US Commission on International Religious Freedom was established in 1998 under legislation signed by former President Bill Clinton. It serves as an independent advisory body that monitors religious freedom around the world and provides policy recommendations to the White House, the US State Department and Congress. The commission is made up of nine members appointed by the US president and congressional leaders from both major political parties. Dr Mahmood was reappointed by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and now succeeds former congresswoman Vicky Hartzler as chair. Political observers have described his election as significant because of his Democratic Party affiliation despite receiving his latest appointment during the Trump administration. His leadership is expected to draw international attention, particularly because of his work on religious freedom issues in South Asia. Dr Mahmood has played a leading role in preparing reports examining allegations of religious freedom violations in India. He has publicly called for greater international scrutiny of the treatment of religious minorities and urged the United States to consider stronger measures in response to concerns raised by the commission. The commission has also recommended that US officials seek independent assessments of religious freedom conditions in India and consider targeted measures against individuals or organisations found responsible for serious violations. Those recommendations have generated considerable debate and have been strongly rejected by Indian authorities in the past. Beyond his work on religious freedom, Dr Mahmood has remained active in public service and politics. In 2022, he contested California’s 40th Congressional District as the Democratic candidate but was defeated by Republican incumbent Young Kim. Earlier, he also ran for California Insurance Commissioner and received hundreds of thousands of votes. A native of Kharian in Pakistan’s Punjab province, Dr Mahmood completed his medical education at Sindh Medical College before moving to the United States. He later completed his medical training at the University of Kentucky Medical Center and pursued a fellowship in pulmonary medicine at Harlem Hospital, which is affiliated with Columbia University. He currently serves on the Medical Board of California after being appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom in 2023. Over the years, he has also worked with several humanitarian and community organisations and has received recognition for providing free medical care to patients who could not afford treatment. His election as chair marks another milestone in a career that combines medicine, public service and advocacy for human rights.