ISLAM AS A SYMBOL OF LIGITIMIZATION: THE ISLAMIZATION PROJECT OF PRESIDENT GENERAL ERSHAD IN BANGLADESH

The aim of this paper is to look at General Ershad’s Islamization policy during his nine years rule. This article tried to examine Ershad's rhetoric to Islam, Islamic values and incorporation of Islam as a state religion in Bangladesh. The data collected from newspapers, books, magazines and journals. The study found that Ershad who raised the 'Islamic slogan' throughout his nine-years rule, although incorporated some Islamic values in state’s social and political arena, yet the main objective of that was to legitimize his rule by getting support from the masses as well as Islam-based political parties, but failed.