The besieged Ahmadiyya sect

Now they have targeted the Ahmadiyya sect. The fanatics want Ahmadyyas to be labeled as non-Muslims and occupy their mosque. The bluster, tall talk and threat of dire consequences are insidious, shocking and insufferable. The reaction of the feckless, spineless government by banning religious publications of the Ahmadiyyas, setting another low in punishing victims of religious bigotry in an obscene gesture to mollify the extremists. The official reason was that these publications insult the sensibilities of majority Muslims. This is a semantic minefield of phoney rationale. Gita, Bible, Old Testament, Tripitak all offend the feelings of Muslims with dogmatic mindset. Should these all be banned? Also, the government is elected by the majority to protect the rights of the minority. This is the theme of the Bill of Rights, the first ten amendments to the US constitution.

If the government appeases the mullahs now, as it seems inclined to do, the possible future is Shia-Sunni conflict, pro-Jamaat and anti-Jamaat confrontation and a whole gamut of sectarian discord and violence, similar to Pakistan. The anti-Ahmadiyya bigots often refer to Pakistan in support of enacting a law, declaring the adherents of the sect as non-Muslims. Wasn't the main reason for our independence movement to opt out of a theocratic reactionary sham tyrannical setup in favour of a progressive, democratic and secular system?

The government has to end this anti-Ahmadiyya frenzy forthwith and ensure freedom of religion for all citizens, especially the oppressed and targeted groups. The first right and righteous step would be to remove the prohibition from Ahmadiyya religious publications.

Ahmadiyya...

Raqta, On E-mail

I am appalled by the government's decision to ban Ahmadiyya literature, bending to the will of extremists. Even if the Ahmadiyyas were a separate religion, a democratic government should not have banned the books. Only a fascist undemocratic government would do this. I guess this can be expected from a government who allies are the extreme rightwing fundamentalist parties. However, what can we say about the silence of the Bangladeshi people? The silence is a boon for the fundamentalist forces since it is probably the sign of strong support.

If the people of Bangladesh were truly religiously tolerant, I would have expected non-Ahmadiyya Muslims rallying in support of the Ahmadiyyas and attending the Friday prayers side by side with them in defiance of the extremists' threat of attacks. Sadly that was not the case. The silence of the people shows that Bangladesh is probably heading towards becoming Banglastan sooner than one can predict.

The people of Bangladesh loudly declare their religious tolerance and the harmony that exists in the society. Last year's headlines on repression of minorities (especially Hindus) and the current repression of Ahmadiyyas contradict such "politically true" statements.

This decision by the government will greatly encourage the fundamentalist extremists to impose their will further upon Bangladesh. They have tasted their power.

Ban on Ahmadiyya Books

Bilayet Hossain, Norman, Oklahoma USA

State Minister for Religious Affairs Mr Shajahan's comment -- " There was fear of bloodshed and we found no alternative to avoid it other than banning Ahmadiyya publications" clearly indicate that the minister (may be the whole government) is intimidated by a fanatic religious group. He further said, "Although it restricts Ahmadiyyas' right---but we thought it (is) good for the time being." The present state of affairs vis-à-vis religious fanatic groups is a natural outcome of Bangladesh' journey on a religious slippery slope since 1975. Starting with the elimination of secularism from the constitution, adoption of Islam as State Religion and sharing political power with the criminal-collaborators -- each of the steps was accepted by a powerful section of the enlightened elite for political expediency ( with all the booties that came with it), feeling it to be 'good for the time being'. Following the Pakistani cue, the religious fanatics are after the Ahmadiyyas now. One should ask what & who is next?

The fanaticism of any kind need to be confronted politically and intellectually and with force if necessary, but never with appeasement and sacrifice of principle. A few months back Bangladesh was looking for a certificate as a 'moderate Muslim country'. The time of reckoning has arrived!