Anti-Ahmadiyya elements, supposedly backed by the banned Islamist organisation Jamaatul Mujahideen Bangladesh, announced on Monday that they would drive out members of the minority Muslim sect from Sarishabari, 126 kilometres northwest of the capital Dhaka, through a series of agitation programmes starting Thursday.

   The religious bigots, led by Nurul Islam, sister-in-law of the jailed JMB chief Shaikh Abdur Rahman, launched a hate campaign against the local Ahmadiyyas on Monday, warning that they would be evicted if they did not leave their homes willingly by Thursday.

   Nurul Islam, the principal of a local madrassah who is accused of patronising JMB activities in the area, has already been to different mosques in the locality over the past few days, instigating people to lay siege to the Ahmadiyya mosque at Ejarpara on Friday.

   Abdus Sattar, a member of the local Ahmadiyya community, said the Ahmadiyyas were living in fear.

   ‘We cannot move in the locality and the local administrators are providing us with any support,’ he said. ‘Even the police turned us away when we went to the Sarishabari police station to file a general diary.’

   Shahajar Sharif, officer-in-charge of the police station, denied the allegation.

   ‘We recorded the general diary, serial number 290, on July 9, and informed the thana nirbahi officer,’ he said. ‘We have also informed our high officials and are awaiting instructions.’

   A leader of the anti-Ahmadiyya elements told New Age that all necessary arrangements had been completed to ‘capture the Ahmadiyya mosque and oust the Ahmadiyyas from the locality after jum’a prayers’.

   ‘We have invited Islamic leaders from across the country to help us, as we think it is a “religious duty” for all Muslims,’ he added.

   Leaders of the Ahmadiyya community have, meanwhile, sought security from the government.

   Tauhidul Islam, private secretary to the amir of the Ahmadiyya community, told New Age, ‘The local administration is yet to take any initiative regarding previous attacks. Analysing previous activities of the bigots the local administrators should have taken legal actions against them.’

Source: www.newagebd.com/2006/jul/11/front.html#17