Ahmadiyyas--Muslims or non-Muslims?

By M. Kabiruzzaman, 24/1 Mitali Road, Rayerbazar, Dhaka-1209
13 January 2004, 18:00 PM
Much has been said for and against the Ahmadiyyas in the circumstances obtaining in Bangladesh. Many Muslims, both at home and abroad, appealed for religious tolerance on this issue. Yes, tolerance is what we need most, for we cannot kill a human being, be she/he a Muslim or non-Muslim. The fact, however, is that the Kadianis are not Muslims as they do not believe in the termination of revelations (Nabuwat) after Prophet Muhammad (SM), which is one of the fundamental requirements for becoming a Muslim. This sect (Ahmadiyya) was created by the then British rulers in India with the objective of creating divisions among the Muslims.

That said, every person is free to choose her/his faith, the Holy Koran itself guarantees that. As the Kadianis do not believe in the cessation of revelations, they can float a religion other than Islam, but they have no right to put it to mockery. Someone may raise the question of differences between the Sunni and the Shia sects; they differ on political front (Khilafat) not on the basic tenets of Islam.


Ahmadiyya books banned

Masood Nasir, Canada

This refers to the news published in your esteemed daily about the ban on Ahmadiyya books. It is a very sad moment in the history of Bangladesh and I share my deepest sympathies with all those people who stand for equal rights for the citizens of the country without any discrimination based on religion, sect, language or ethnicity. If we ponder over the history of early Islam, for a few seconds, we can realise whose steps we are following in. Islam stands for religious rights of all people and gives them complete freedom. It was only the anti-Islamic forces which obstructed the publication of the message of Islam. It is clear to even a Muslim child how the Holy Prophet (SM) had to suffer for 13 years in Mecca with extreme sanctions by the Kuffirs. Do we want to follow their footsteps? Do we even realise what we are doing? Which intelligence reports suggest that publication of Ahmadiyya books will hurt the feelings of others? For the past 115 years the books of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat have not hurt the feelings of people of Bangladesh. What has happened so suddenly? A few protests by bigots and mischief mongers! Why such a decision has been made behind closed doors without any investigation by the judiciary or a public inquiry? These are some of the questions we need to ask ourselves.

Finally, I would like to appreciate the bold and true journalism by The Daily Star. You are a ray of hope for the people of Bangladesh. Keep up the good work!