The U.S. State Department’s decision to honor Bangladeshi female student protesters with the International Women of Courage (IWOC) Award has sparked controversy. Critics claim that these protesters were funded by USAID and had ties to Islamist groups that played a role in ousting former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
On April 1, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and First Lady Melania Trump will present the award at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. However, concerns have been raised about the protesters’ alleged links to extremist organizations, including Hizbut Tahrir, an Islamist group seeking a global caliphate.
In August 2024, mass student protests in Bangladesh led to the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Following her removal, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus was appointed as the interim leader. While some hailed this as a victory for democracy, others believe it was a foreign-backed coup that destabilized the country.
The selection process for the IWOC Award is now under scrutiny, with critics questioning how individuals linked to political upheavals and extremist groups were chosen. As the award ceremony approaches, the debate over U.S. involvement in foreign movements is expected to intensify.
In response to an inquiry from The Voice, the State Department acknowledged that for the Madeleine Albright Group awardees, no one will be accepting the award on the group’s behalf.