Letters to Editor

Ahmadiyya Muslims in Bangladesh
Nauman Khwaja, London, UK

First of all I would like to thank you and your team for giving us excellent coverage of Ahmadiyya Muslims in Bangladesh and the recent atrocities.

I would just like to express my utmost disgust with the current state of affairs in Bangladesh. It seems that Bangladesh has finally given in to the mullahs of Pakistan and those associated with the Taliban regime. In my opinion Bangladesh should ask itself this, is Pakistan really a good example to follow? What has Pakistan achieved since its separation from India? Do the vast majority of people of Pakistan really represent what an Islamic country should be like? Did Pakistan’s efforts in repressing the peaceful Ahmadiyya Muslims really achieve its objects?

In my mind, the current actions of the Bangladeshi government are really tarnishing its image of being a tolerant country, where the government offers protection to all its inhabitants no matter of colour, creed or religion. What good will banning a religious minority do? Help the Premier and her party stay in power?

This stupidity simply doesn’t work. What would happen if the nations of the west started following in this direction. Ban all religious minorities in practising their religion. I mean the recent example of France has caused uproar in the Muslim community, yet it is OK for the so called Muslims to have double standards when it comes to their motherlands.

It is interesting to note that throughout the numerous acts of violence against the Ahmadiyya, they have not retaliated. They have not sent suicide bombers to attack those whom are causing them grief. They have not even uttered foul words. Instead you notice they are still behaving peacefully, with trust in Allah, and with loyalty to their motherland. The same as they acted in Pakistan when similar acts were being carried by its government and people.

To any outsider, the peaceful nature of the Ahmadiyya community really portrays the true message of Islam. I think that Bangladesh can really learn from these people, and maybe they too will adopt the motto of the Ahmadiyya “Love for all, hatred for none.”

Source: http://www.thedailystar.net/2004/02/06/d40206111087.htm