Prothom Alo (Bengali: প্রথম আলো Prothom Alo "First Light") is a major daily newspaper in Bangladesh, published from Dhaka in the Bengali language.
History
Prothom Alo was founded on 4 November 1998. As at January 2007, it had an average circulation of 350,000.[1] It has distinguished itself by its investigations of acid attacks and violence against women, pushing for tougher laws against the sale of acid, and for being the first Bangladeshi newspaper to report on the training of militants at Islamic schools (or madrasas).[2] Prothom Alo helped to popularise Mathematics in Bangladesh. It organized Mathematics Olympiad for the first time in Bangladesh in 2003. It is one of the main sponsors and the main organizer of Bangladesh Mathematics Olympiad.[3] Supplements
Prothom Alo publishes a special edition every year at Eid ul-Fitr. This feature, called প্রথম আলো ঈদ সংখ্যা Prothom Alo Eid Shôngkha (Prothom Alo Eid edition"), includes fictions, historical articles and photos.[5] It costs 120 Taka. EditorsMatiur Rahman is the current and the first editor of the newspaper. He received the Ramon Magsaysay Foundation Award for Journalism, Literature, and Creative Communication Arts in 2005[6] He is regarded as one of the most influential and secular journalists in Bangladesh, with a profound background in media, journalism and human development activities Regular columnistsFamous columnists regularly authors columns for Prothom Alo. Popular writer and columnist Muhammad Zafar Iqbal regularly contributes under his famous column "Shadashidhay Kotha". Another eminent writer and co-editor of Prothom Alo Anisul Hoque regularly contribute in his satirical column "GodyoCartoon". Other regular columnists include ABM Musa, Abul Momen, Muntasir Mamun, Abul Hayat, Mamunur Rashid Abu Ahmed etc. . Educationist Mohammad Kaykobad and Psychiatrist Mehtab Khanam regularly covers their professional fields. ThreatsProthom Alo faced various protests by Islamic organizations and fundamentalists. A threat was given after Prothom Alo opposed unregistered religious institution called Kowmi Madrassa and accused them for organizing crimes and provide combat training to their students.citation needed Religious leaders urged to stop circulation in Chittagong as well.citation needed A similar protests and demand for banning the paper again came from them after a cartoon about the Islamic prophet Muhammad was published in Alpin. A subsequent order was given from the government to ban the supplement for an indefinite period of time after rallies were held by pan-national Islamic group Hizb ut Tahrir.[7] References
External links
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