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The best $160 I ever spent: A session with a Black therapist

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Four years ago, during a sticky New York summer, I anxiously sat in the lobby of the clinic waiting to meet my new therapist. Glued to the torn pleather couch in front of the rattling AC (which did nothing to relieve the heat and I was convinced was only there for show), I wondered what this mysterious person would be like. Will they be nice? Will we get along? Will they really listen?
I saw a psychiatrist every week at the clinic, which also required me to attend talk therapy. I didn’t have any say in who was assigned to me. I’d been going there for six years. In that time, I’d been with five therapists. The first therapist I saw for only six months. The last one I visited for a year and a half.
Some therapists had helped a bit. There were others who were just doing a job, biding their time until a better opportunity presented itself. The last person had been okay; I didn’t go deep. I mostly spoke about the everyday surface stuff: I’m overworked. I need to take time for myself. I’m concerned about money. She was more like an acquaintance getting paid to listen to me vent.
The old clock in the waiting room chimed 3 pm. “She’s late,” I thought. “Is this what I have to look forward to? Someone who’s perpetually late?”
Just then a woman appeared at the door, smiling. “Sarah?”
“That’s me,” I said, peeling myself from the couch.
“I’m Malika,” she said. (For her privacy and mine, I’m not using her real name.)
I cocked my head. I hadn’t been expecting this. She was a Black woman, like me. Her 3C curls sat on her shoulders and were at least four inches high on all sides; her hair wasn’t as big as mine, but it was close. Standing there, side by side, we filled the waiting room with Black, natural-hair pride. I took in her brown rimmed glasses with a slight cat-eye and her short, striped summer dress that showed off her toned thighs. Her freshly painted blue toenails peeked out from her strappy sandals. I already felt closer to her than I had to my previous therapist.
“I love your outfit,” I said.
“Thanks. It’s hot. I couldn’t do pants.”
That look was about much more than surviving the heat. It was “I dare you to tell me I look unprofessional” attire.
“Follow me. My office is a bit tricky to get to,” she said.
We left the lobby, crossed past the main desk, and ascended a flight of stairs. Another welcome desk and two narrow hallways later, we arrived.
She opened the door: “After you.”
I found myself in a space that made my bathroom feel like a master suite at the Plaza. Somewhere, someone was very bitter about giving up their supply closet. A large rusted fan was shoved into a corner of the windowless room. There was no desk. Instead, a dented metal file cabinet leaned lazily against the wall. Crammed into the remaining space were two yellow cafeteria-style plastic chairs.
“Take your pick,” Malika said, gesturing to the seats.
I sat in the one the backs of my legs were already touching. Once-white paint was peeling on the opposite wall. The buzzing fluorescent light brought me back to my eighth-grade science class.
“I’m sorry, there’s no air conditioner,” she groaned. “If it gets too hot, we can leave the door cracked.”
“I’m fine,” I said.
It was hotter in here than outside. Yet, I really was fine. She closed the door and sat down across from me, our knees nearly knocking. Our first session was underway.
“How do you feel about having a Black therapist?” Well then. The small talk was over.
“What kind of question is that?” I blurted.
We looked at each other and both laughed.
“Have you been asking that of all your patients?” I wanted to know.
“I have been, yes. People aren’t used to it.”
She was right. It was the first time I’d had a Black therapist and I’d been in therapy more than half my life. I thought about the question again.
“I feel relieved.”
With white therapists, I couldn’t talk about racism without it being a “teaching moment.” Often that “moment” would take up the entire session. It was exhausting. I would feel worse going out than when I came in. What was I supposed to do about that? Go to therapy to deal with my therapist? As it turned out, that’s exactly what I needed.
My partner and I began couples counseling at the same time I started seeing Malika. Our psychologist, who I’ll call Agnes, was nice, experienced, and white. My partner was also white. Once, after attending a party with some of his coworkers, we both came into the appointment with our grievances.
“I feel like Sarah was taking it out on me,” my partner complained.
“That guy told a joke, and the punchline was that all Black people look alike,” I said as the anger once again welled up within me. “When I told him that was racist, he actually said that he had a Black friend.”
I looked at Agnes. Even in her lily-white Long Island world, surely she knew how outrageous this was.
“Couldn’t you have avoided him?” she suggested.
So much for that. I let out a long sigh.
“I didn’t have to. He avoided me,” I said.
“So, what was the problem?” she asked.
Seriously?
“There were no other Black people there. There weren’t even any other POC.”
“I don’t see how that relates to the situation,” she said, looking perplexed.
Had my partner paid her on the side before the session?
“That was the situation,” I explained.
“I’m not following,” Agnes replied.
“How long before someone else made a remark?” I asked rhetorically.
“Did they?”
“No. But they could have. I was on edge. And I had no backup. No one alongside me if they did.”
“I was alongside you,” my partner interjected.
Agnes nodded in agreement with him.
“I mean someone who would understand,” I glared.
Agnes leaned forward. “Why don’t you help us understand?”
Feeling outnumbered, I rolled my eyes, crossed my arms, and sank into the couch.
Two days later, I recalled the ridiculousness to Malika.
“It’s not our job to educate,” Malika said. She was not frustrated for me; she was frustrated with me. “They can try to understand but will never fully get it. They can’t know what it’s like to be Black.” That is what I needed to hear. She got it. It was “our,” not “your,” and “us,” not “you.” I left feeling strong, supported, and seen.
For two years, we congregated in the converted closet. I always felt safe and never judged. Every time police murdered another Black person, Malika already knew what the conversation would be. In those sessions, it wasn’t only me needing her. We needed each other.
As our relationship grew, I learned we had more in common than being Black women. We were both queer in heterosexual relationships. We each had white partners. We shared the same sense of humor, practiced similar self-care, and enjoyed the same bad TV. I often wondered what people thought as they passed her office and heard loud laughter escaping under the narrow door. Wednesdays were my refuge.
One day as I sat down ready to dive into our session, Malika remained standing. She looked anxious, sad, and excited all at once.
“What is it?” I wanted to know.
“I have some news,” she began.
I took a deep breath and held it. My insides knotted. I knew what was coming. I’d been there before. It was the “It’s not you, it’s me” of therapy.
“Noooooooo,” I moaned.
“Yes. I’m leaving. I’m going into private practice.”
Without hesitation, I made the decision. This wasn’t a relationship I was willing to leave.
“I’m coming with you.”
She pressed her lips together and slowly shook her head.
“Unfortunately, I can’t take your insurance. One session is $160.”
“I’ll make it work,” I said, determined.
“Are you sure? I know that’s a lot for you. I could help you find someone here ...”
But she was already smiling, and the anxious energy had dissipated. She didn’t want us to end either.
“If I can follow my hairdresser to an expensive salon, I can follow you into private practice,” I said. “Having someone I trust with my mental health is even more important than finding someone that can do my hair.” If you’re Black, you know what a huge statement that is. Any doubts she might’ve had vanished after that.
Malika was right, $160 is a lot for me. As soon as I decided that I was staying with her, I started thinking about how to cut costs. So long, Aunt Jackie’s $10 conditioner. Hello, 99-cent Suave. My shoes could make it another season. Rather than get a new coat, I sponged down my old one, sewed on new buttons, and replaced the broken buckle. I put a hold on my student loans. I didn’t give up my hairdresser completely (I have my limits). I did, however, extend my cuts from every three months to every six. I now left the salon with drip-dry hair rather than have it styled for an extra $25.
Two weeks later, I sat with her for the last time at the clinic. I signed the discharge papers and said goodbye to the bleach-mopped lobby, the geriatric air conditioner, and the free Metro cards. At the end of our session, Malika and I both stood up. For the first time, we hugged. It was a long, strong, embrace. “See you on the other side,” I said.
The main reason Malika wanted a private practice was so she would be able to work exclusively with Black women. I was one of the chosen ones. Sitting in her new waiting room the following week, I relaxed into a cushioned chair that had yet to be broken in. I leafed through a Psychology Today magazine that not so coincidentally had a Black woman smiling on the cover. My sandals tapped the Pine-Sol polished floor as I walked over to the far wall and checked my makeup in the full-length mirror. I made my way down the hall and fingered through an assortment of herbal teas. Sipping spearmint, with only two minutes to spare, I hurried back to my seat.
Right on time as always, Malika came out and greeted me, “Come on in.”
Sarah Doneghy is a writer, actor, and activist. She lives in New York City.
 
 
source <a href="https://www.vox.com/the-goods/22723327/best-money-black-therapist-mental-health">https://www.vox.com/the-goods/22723327/best-money-black-therapist-mental-health</a>

vox The best $160 I ever spent: A session with a Black therapist

Four years ago, during a sticky New York summer, I anxiously sat in the lobby of the clinic waiting to meet my new therapist. Glued to the ...

China Warns Of 'Twindemic' Risk Of Influenza, Imported Covid Cases

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<div class="ins_instory_dv_cont"><img alt="China Warns Of 'Twindemic' Risk Of Influenza, Imported Covid Cases" src="https://c.ndtvimg.com/2021-05/4a5dgfio_china-covid19-afp_625x300_31_May_21.jpg" title="China Warns Of 'Twindemic' Risk Of Influenza, Imported Covid Cases" /></div>
This comes in the backdrop of the risk of imported cases in China. (File)
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Beijing:
Warning about the potential of "twindemic" this winter, Chinese health authorities have stressed the need for influenza prevention as flu activity in the southern provinces in the country has increased since September.
In a notification issued on Friday, the Chinese health commission has asked local officials for strengthening influenza prevention and control measures during the flu season which is coupled with the risk of imported COVID-19 cases, Global Times reported.
This comes after Chinese authorities have warned about the risk of imported COVID-19 infections due to the high incidence of respiratory infections in the winter season.
A total of 19 imported COVID-19 cases and one locally transmitted infection were reported on Saturday, Xinhua reported. China's National Health Commission on Sunday said that the newly-added local case was reported in Xilin Gol League, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.
Chinese health authorities stated that influenza activity in the southern and northern parts of the country since March has been higher than the same period last year.
This comes in the backdrop of the risk of imported cases in China. The Global Times reported that the COVID-19 and respiratory infectious diseases such as influenza can be combined and bring a potential "twindemic" during this upcoming winter and the next spring.
Ahead of the winter season, the Chinese authorities have called for strengthening monitoring and early warning mechanisms, immunizing key groups, promoting multi-disease prevention, standardizing epidemic treatment and extensive publicity and mobilization.
The publication stated that last flu season clusters of flu cases occurred in schools, childcare institutions and other venues despite the overall prevalence of influenza staying relatively low.
Moreover, the health authority urged the key institutions to strengthen efforts to detect, report and deal with cluster cases as early as possible.
Furthermore, the Chinese authorities stressed the need to improve the convenience of influenza vaccination services and enhance procurement and deployment management of vaccines and information management of vaccination data.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
 
 
source <a href="https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/china-warns-of-twindemic-risk-of-influenza-imported-covid-cases-2578486">https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/china-warns-of-twindemic-risk-of-influenza-imported-covid-cases-2578486</a>

news world China Warns Of 'Twindemic' Risk Of Influenza, Imported Covid Cases

This comes in the backdrop of the risk of imported cases in China. (File) Beijing: Warning about the potential of "twindemic"...

Mecca Grand Mosque Drops Social Distancing, 1st Time Since Covid Outbreak

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<div class="ins_instory_dv_cont"><img alt="Mecca Grand Mosque Drops Social Distancing, 1st Time Since Covid Outbreak" src="https://c.ndtvimg.com/2021-10/s95qtck_mecca-grand-mosque-no-social-distancing-afp-650_625x300_17_October_21.jpg" title="Mecca Grand Mosque Drops Social Distancing, 1st Time Since Covid Outbreak" /></div>
Visuals on Sunday morning showed people praying side by side at Grand Mosque in Mecca.
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<h3>Highlights</h3>
<ul>
<li>The Grand Mosque in Mecca operated at full capacity on Sunday.</li>
<li>The authorities said visitors must be fully vaccinated and wear masks.</li>
<li>Also, the Kaaba remained cordoned off and out of reach.</li>
</ul>
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Mecca:
The Grand Mosque in the Muslim holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia operated at full capacity Sunday, with worshippers praying shoulder-to-shoulder for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic began.
Workers removed floor markings that guide people to social distance in and around the Grand Mosque, which is built around the Kaaba, the black cubic structure towards which Muslims around the world pray.
"This is in line with the decision to ease precautionary measures and to allow pilgrims and visitors to the Grand Mosque at full capacity," reported the official Saudi Press Agency.
Pictures and footage on Sunday morning showed people praying side by side, making straight rows of worshippers that are formations revered in performing Muslim prayers, for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic took hold last year.
While social distancing measures were lifted, the authorities said visitors must be fully vaccinated against coronavirus and must continue to wear masks on mosque grounds.
Also, the Kaaba remained cordoned off and out of reach.
Saudi Arabia announced in August it will begin accepting vaccinated foreigners wanting to make the Umrah pilgrimage.
The Umrah can be undertaken at any time and usually draws millions from around the globe, as does the annual Hajj, which abled-bodied Muslims who have the means must perform at least once in their lifetime.
In July, only around 60,000 inoculated residents were allowed to take part in a vastly scaled down form of the annual Hajj.
The Covid-19 pandemic hugely disrupted both Muslim pilgrimages, which are usually key revenue earners for the kingdom that rake in a combined $12 billion annually.
Hosting the pilgrimages is a matter of prestige for Saudi rulers, for whom the custodianship of Islam's holiest sites is their most powerful source of political legitimacy.
The once-reclusive kingdom began issuing tourist visas permitting foreign visitors to undertake more than just the pilgrimages for the first time in 2019 as part of an ambitious push to revamp its global image and diversify income.
Between September 2019 and March 2020, it issued 400,000 of them -- only for the pandemic to crush that momentum as borders were closed.
But the kingdom is slowly opening up, and has started welcoming vaccinated foreign tourists since August 1.
Saudi Arabia also announced that fully-inoculated sports fans will from Sunday be allowed to attend events at all stadiums and other sports facilities, reported SPA.
It has also said that masks in most open spaces are no longer mandatory.
Saudi Arabia has registered over 547,000 coronavirus cases and 8,760 deaths.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
 
 
source <a href="https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/mecca-grand-mosque-drops-social-distancing-1st-time-since-covid-outbreak-2578466">https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/mecca-grand-mosque-drops-social-distancing-1st-time-since-covid-outbreak-2578466</a>

news world Mecca Grand Mosque Drops Social Distancing, 1st Time Since Covid Outbreak

Visuals on Sunday morning showed people praying side by side at Grand Mosque in Mecca. Highlights The Grand Mosque in Mecca operated ...

US, Canadian Warships Sailed Through Taiwan Strait Last Week Amid Tension

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<div class="ins_instory_dv_cont"><img alt="US, Canadian Warships Sailed Through Taiwan Strait Last Week Amid Tension" src="https://c.ndtvimg.com/2021-10/oi9g6rk_us-warship-reuters-twitter-650_625x300_17_October_21.jpg" title="US, Canadian Warships Sailed Through Taiwan Strait Last Week Amid Tension" /></div>
USallies occasionally also send ships through the Taiwan Strait. (File)
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Taipei:
A US and a Canadian warship sailed through the Taiwan Strait late last week, the American military said on Sunday, at a time of heightened tension between Beijing and Taipei that has sparked concern internationally.
China claims democratically-ruled Taiwan as its own territory, and has mounted repeated air force missions into Taiwan's air defence identification zone (ADIZ) over the past year or more, provoking anger in Taipei.
China sent around 150 aircraft into the zone over a four-day period beginning on October 1.
The US military said the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Dewey sailed through the narrow waterway that separates Taiwan from its giant neighbour China along with the Canadian frigate HMCS Winnipeg on Thursday and Friday.
"Dewey's and Winnipeg's transit through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the commitment of the United States and our allies and partners to a free and open Indo-Pacific," it added.
American Navy ships have been transiting the strait roughly monthly, to the anger of Beijing, which has accused Washington of stoking regional tensions. US allies occasionally also send ships through the strait, including a British warship last month.
While tensions across the Taiwan Strait have risen, there has been no shooting and Chinese aircraft have not entered Taiwanese air space, concentrating their activity in the southwestern part of the ADIZ.
While including Taiwanese territorial air space, the ADIZ encompasses a broader area that Taiwan monitors and patrols that acts to give it more time to respond to any threats.
Taiwan's defence ministry said on Sunday that three Chinese aircraft - two J-16 fighters and an anti-submarine aircraft - flew into the ADIZ again.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
 
 
source <a href="https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/us-canadian-warships-sailed-through-taiwan-strait-last-week-amid-tension-2578451">https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/us-canadian-warships-sailed-through-taiwan-strait-last-week-amid-tension-2578451</a>

news world US, Canadian Warships Sailed Through Taiwan Strait Last Week Amid Tension

USallies occasionally also send ships through the Taiwan Strait. (File) Taipei: A US and a Canadian warship sailed through the Taiwan S...

Iran To Resume Nuclear Talks With World Powers On Thursday, Says MP

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<div class="ins_instory_dv_cont"><img alt="Iran To Resume Nuclear Talks With World Powers On Thursday, Says MP" src="https://c.ndtvimg.com/2019-05/6c7epapg_iran-flag-reuters-650_625x300_20_May_19.jpg" title="Iran To Resume Nuclear Talks With World Powers On Thursday, Says MP" /></div>
Iran insists its nuclear program is for civilian purposes only. (Representational)
</div>
Tehran:
Iran is to resume nuclear negotiations with world powers on October 21 that were suspended in June, an Iranian lawmaker said Sunday after a meeting with Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.
The minister said that "talks with the 4+1 Group will restart on Thursday in Brussels", Ahmad Alirezabeigui told the ultra-conservative news agency Fars after a closed-door session with Amir-Abdollahian.
The lawmaker was referring to four UN Security Council permanent members -- Britain, China, France and Russia -- along with Germany.
Iran and these five nations opened talks in Vienna in April with the European Union (EU) also attending while the United States has taken part in indirect negotiations.
The United States, China, Russia, Germany, France and Britain struck an accord in Vienna with Iran on its nuclear programme in 2015.
But then-US president Donald Trump pulled America out of the deal in 2018 and re-imposed biting sanctions.
Since then, Tehran -- which insists its nuclear program is for civilian purposes only -- has also retreated from many of its commitments under the accord.
Trump's successor Joe Biden has said he is ready to return to the agreement if the Islamic republic re-adheres to its nuclear commitments.
The Vienna talks aimed at reviving the deal were suspended in June, when Iran elected ultraconservative Ebrahim Raisi as president.
The EU's diplomatic chief Josep Borrell said Friday he was "ready" to meet Iranian leaders in Brussels as part of efforts to revive the faltering deal.
Another Iranian lawmaker, Behrouz Mohebbi Najmabadi, said on Twitter on Sunday that negotiations would resume "this week".
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
 
 
source <a href="https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/iran-to-resume-nuclear-talks-with-world-powers-on-thursday-says-mp-2578434">https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/iran-to-resume-nuclear-talks-with-world-powers-on-thursday-says-mp-2578434</a>

news world Iran To Resume Nuclear Talks With World Powers On Thursday, Says MP

Iran insists its nuclear program is for civilian purposes only. (Representational) Tehran: Iran is to resume nuclear negotiations with ...

Bangladesh Communal Violence: Another Hindu Temple Vandalised Amid Calls For Hunger Strike

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<div class="ins_instory_dv_cont"><img alt="Bangladesh Communal Violence: Another Hindu Temple Vandalised Amid Calls For Hunger Strike" src="https://c.ndtvimg.com/2021-10/54t3f57o_bangladesh-communal-violence_625x300_16_October_21.jpg" title="Bangladesh Communal Violence: Another Hindu Temple Vandalised Amid Calls For Hunger Strike" /></div>
Sporadic clashes continued on Friday as over 200 protesters attacked a Hindu temple. (File)
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Dhaka:
A Hindu temple has been vandalised in Bangladesh in a fresh case of communal unrest amidst days of violence unleashed by unidentified Muslim attackers who went after the minority Hindu community's places of worship during the Durga Puja celebrations over alleged blasphemy, prompting minority groups to announce a countrywide hunger strike, media reports said on Sunday.
Hindu-owned temples and shops in Feni, about 157 kms from the country's capital, have been vandalised and robbed during fresh clashes on Saturday which broke out after an attack on demonstrators who were protesting against the attacks on Durga Puja venues in several places in Bangladesh, the Dhaka Tribune newspaper reported.
The clashes left at least 40 people, including the Officer In-charge Nizamuddin of Feni Model Police Station, injured in the clashes, it said.
On Saturday night, authorities deployed additional police forces and the paramilitary force -- Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), after several temples and businesses owned by Hindus were vandalised and robbed during clashes that lasted from 4:30 pm (local time) to midnight, the report said.
The report said that some people on Saturday vandalised six idols at the Daniapara Maha Shoshan Kali Mandir in Munshiganj.
It said that protests against attacks and vandalism on Hindu temples during the Durga Puja celebrations continued across the country on Saturday, as did the vandalism that led to public outcry.
Meanwhile in the country's southeastern port city of Chittagong, the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council announced a sit-in and hunger strike from October 23 in protest against the attacks during the Durga Puja celebrations.
The protest events will take place at Dhaka's Shahbagh and Chittagong's Andarkilla, the council's General Secretary Advocate Rana Dasgupta said at a press conference at the Chittagong Press Club.
Before making the announcement, the forum observed a six-hour strike in Chittagong on Saturday.
The Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad has demanded exemplary punishments for those involved in the rampant vandalism, violence and mayhem that took place during the Durga Puja celebrations.
Milan Kanti Dutta, president of the forum, said that they would launch a tougher movement if the government did not pay heed to their demand.
"From the home minister to ruling party General Secretary Obaidul Quader, everybody has assured us saying they are informed about everything. If you know everything, why are you not punishing the culprits?" he asked.
Charu Chandra Das Brahmachari, general secretary of ISKCON Bangladesh, warned that the community would not sit silent and watch the attacks happen.
"We believe a group of fundamentalists are initiating such hatred to upset religious harmony. We also know some activists of the ruling party are affiliated with such heinous crimes at some locations," he said.
"I would like to urge the prime minister to not become weak and take action against them too," he added.
The leaders of the forum also demanded the enactment of a protection law and a national minority council.
Meanwhile, the ruling Awami League-backed Blue Panel teachers of Dhaka University on Sunday strongly condemned the vandalism at several Durga Puja venues and idols in various places across the country.
Blaming the Opposition, Information and Broadcasting Minister Hasan Mahmud on Saturday pointed fingers at the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) for engineering violence.
"...BNP-Jamaat is involved in communal incitement. The BNP-Jamaat has chosen the path of various conspiracies by failing to deal with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina politically," the minister said.
"There was a political motive behind the incident in Comilla which has provoked communal outrage across the country," he continued.
Mr Mahmud said that those vandalising temples and attacking the law enforcers are being identified through CCTV footage.
The masterminds behind the violence will also be brought to justice, he added.
The Durga Puja celebrations on Friday concluded in Bangladesh amidst days of communal unrest and violence over alleged blasphemy, leading to the deployment of paramilitary forces in more than half of administrative districts.
The paramilitary Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has expanded the vigil from 22 to 34, out of 64 administrative districts.
The elite anti-crime Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) said it expects to arrest some of the key perpetrators of the sporadic violence which took place in the past three days.
So far, five people were killed and scores of others injured during clashes between Muslim attackers and the police at Hajiganj sub-district in central Chandpur on Wednesday and Thursday.
On Thursday, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina promised to bring to justice the culprits behind the violence, saying anyone involved in the attacks on Hindu temples and Durga Puja venues in Comilla will not be spared.
"The incidents in Comilla are being thoroughly investigated. Nobody will be spared. It doesn't matter which religion they belong to. They will be hunted down and punished," she said while exchanging greetings with the Hindu community members during an event at Dhakeshwari National Temple in Dhaka on the occasion of Durga Puja.
The violence had erupted after an alleged blasphemy incident at a Durga Puja pavilion in Cumilla, bordering Chandpur and about 100 kms from Dhaka, after which a probe was launched.
Sporadic clashes continued on Friday between police and attackers while extreme right-wing Islamic Shashontantra Andolon on Saturday took out a big procession in downtown Dhaka's Purana Paltan area protesting what they called as "demeaning of the "Holy Quran".
The Durga Puja celebrations, considered to be the biggest festival of the minority Hindu community in Bangladesh, concluded without the traditional Bijoya Dashami procession due to the COVID-19 situation.
This year, the Durga Puja began on October 11. Hindu devotees paid tribute to Goddess Durga for four days and immersed the idols in rivers on the fifth and final day on Friday.
This year, Durga Puja was celebrated at 32,118 puja pavilions across the country, including 238 in the capital Dhaka, the report said.
 
 
source <a href="https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/bangladesh-communal-violence-another-hindu-temple-vandalised-amid-calls-for-hunger-strike-2578389">https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/bangladesh-communal-violence-another-hindu-temple-vandalised-amid-calls-for-hunger-strike-2578389</a>

news world Bangladesh Communal Violence: Another Hindu Temple Vandalised Amid Calls For Hunger Strike

Sporadic clashes continued on Friday as over 200 protesters attacked a Hindu temple. (File) Dhaka: A Hindu temple has been vandalised i...