Founders Of Mojar School Sent To Jail, Accused Of Child Trafficking While Building A Non-profit School

Arian Arif, Zakia Sultana, Hasibul Hasan Sabuj, and Firoz Alam Khan Suvo, Founders of a non-profit organization, Mojar School, were arrested and subsequently sent to jail in Dhaka under an accusation of child trafficking. Though accused and volunteers and donors of Mojar School had repeatedly claimed that they were not involved with child trafficking. However, it did not stop the police from arresting them, putting into remand and subsequently sending them to jail, Daily Kalerkantho reported yesterday.

Arian, Zakia, and others started Mojar School three years ago with a vision to provide education, food, and shelter to street children in Bangladesh. In order to continue their work they founded an organization called Odommo Bangladesh Foundation which has been arranging education and shelter for street children for last few years. Work of Arif, Zakia, and team Mojar School has been featured by mainstream media outlets and publications in past years and they managed to have good support from the community.  Unfortunately, Arif, Zakia and two others of Odommo Foundation were arrested on September 12 from Banashree area of the city and later a charge of child trafficking was filed against them. 

After their arrest, reaction was swift on internet. Human chain and other protest programs are still going on in Dhaka and other parts of the country. 

The case against Arian Arif, Zakia and others of Odommo Bangladesh is under proceeding. Court declined their bail plea yesterday, said a report by Kalerkontho. We are not sure about the truth. However, the information we have tell a different story. Team Mojar School has been doing critical work for the country and we appreciate their work.

We want to believe that, justice will be served to Arian Arif and team Mojar School and that no one will be put through similar situation for doing good deeds and contributing to the society in the future. If we fail to serve justice to these young people, it will discourage many young people from taking initiative and helping the society in coming days.