FREE DE SOUL

Faith is a strange thing. For many, it is comforting, grounding, and reassuring. But for others myself included it can be a weighty, oppressive force that shapes behavior in subtle, sometimes invisible ways. One of the most powerful mechanisms religion uses is fear. Fear of judgment, fear of punishment, fear of social ostracism. Fear can keep people believing long after doubt has taken root. I remember growing up constantly aware of rules I didn’t fully understand. It wasn’t

I used to believe. Not just in a vague sense, but fully, with every fiber of my being. I went through life thinking there was a divine hand guiding me, that my every action was being weighed, and that every moment had cosmic significance because a higher power demanded it. I prayed regularly, followed the rules that were taught to me, and carried the sense of purpose that faith gave. But somewhere along the way, cracks began to form. It started small, almost imperceptible. A

In recent years, Bangladesh has found itself at a crossroads, navigating the complex interplay between its secular framework and...