2015-02-17 15:50:00

Bangladesh’s minority religions protest against political violence ‎


More than 500 people from all faiths participated in a peaceful demonstration in the Bangladeshi capital of Dhaka on Friday to protest against political violence in the country.  The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, a non-profitable organization established to protect the human rights of the religious and ethnic minorities of Bangladesh, organized the event.  About 90 per cent of Bangladesh's population is Muslim. Hindus are around 9 per cent and the rest are Christians and Buddhists. 

"We strongly protest against any kind of political violence. We want to live in a peaceful Bangladesh. Our leaders should use politics for the welfare of the people, not to cause harm," said Sister Benedicta Gomes Swapna, from the Catechist Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Queen of Angels (CIC), a diocesan congregation in Dinajpur, who spoke to AsiaNews. "We do not want to see anarchy, atrocities, violence and killings," said Nirmal Rozario, a member of the association. "We call on our political leaders to reach a peaceful solution. We want to live in a country in which the faithful of all religions can live side by side, in harmony and brotherhood."

According to the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, a number of Islamists are involved in attacks against minority communities, especially Hindus, in order to drive them out of the country.  Since the start of the year, at least six Hindus have been killed, and three have been raped. Seven temples, 54 homes and 84 Hindu idols have also been attacked and vandalised, the Council said. During the same period, about 90 people died in acts of political violence.  (Source: AsiaNews)








All the contents on this site are copyrighted ©.