World Cup fever sparks Islamic flag controversy in Bangladesh

Football celebrations surrounding the FIFA World Cup have triggered a religious and political row in Bangladesh after supporters of a hardline Islamic preacher replaced the flags of competing nations with Islamic banners in several parts of the country.
Authorities say they have stepped up security after followers of Islamic cleric Mufti Harun Izhar responded to his call to remove the flags of countries such as Brazil and Argentina and instead fly white flags bearing the Kalima, the Islamic declaration of faith.
Police spokesman Shahadat Hossain told AFP that the force was closely monitoring the situation.
“We are on alert.”
According to police, the flags have appeared in more tha...