'Form global network to fight fanatics'

"The extremists are carrying out terrorist activities in Bangladesh, some regions of Russia and some other countries in the name of Islam," he said and urged the conscious citizens of Russia to forge a united movement against religious extremism.

Shahriar was addressing the biennial conference of the Forum for Secular Bangladesh, Russia unit, as the chief guest at Park Palace auditorium in Moscow on Saturday. Ludmila Pavlovna, executive president of Russia-Bangladesh Maitri Samity, presided over the conference.

Sharing his experience of the visit to Tatarstan, Shahriar said the Islamist militants have already started their activities in Tatarstan where there was no such fanaticism even two years ago.

Dr Igor Chubais, a professor of history at Friendship University, Moscow, Russian historian Dr Maxim Dubaev, Awami League's Russian unit President Dr Motaleb Patwari Bahar, Indian journalist Atul Sahani also addressed the conference.

President of the Russia unit of the forum Dr Shahidul Haq delivered the welcome speech.

A 41-member executive committee of the unit for 2006-2008 was also formed with Ludmila Pavlovna as its president. Prof Alexander Glatuk Daneilchuk was made president of the advisory committee of the unit.