Recently, authorities in Gazipur district cancelled, without any prior notice, the permission for holding the 87th Annual Convention of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama'at, Bangladesh -- a Muslim religious sect, having conflicting identity with the majority Muslims.
The annual convention of the community was scheduled for February 6 to 8. Police evacuated Ahamadiyas from the venue, while the Deputy Commissioner of the district imposed a ban on any public gathering at the venue, although the community had paid all necessary fees following due procedure. The government has failed to protect the right to freedom of religion and assembly of the community.
For organizing the event, the community leaders sought permission from the local administration, and the Office of the Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Gazipur district issued a letter on 24 January, granting permission for the proposed 3-day convention at the venue. The community made the necessary payments to the authorities in advance for holding the event.
On 5 February, the senior leaders of the community met the DC Md. Kamal Uddin Talukder and the Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) of Joydevpur Circle Mr. Nuruzzaman of the Gazipur district in person and presented them each with the Holy Qura'an. At that time the officials gave no indication of any fear of the deterioration of the law and order or objection of the local
inhabitants.
By 6 February morning, the first day of the convention, around eight thousand Ahmadiyya devotees arrived at the venue, while another three thousand were on the way to join within a few hours.
The source told the Srilanka Guardian that at around 10am, ASP Mr. Zaman came with a force to the venue, and asked them to leave the place immediately, saying that the Office of the DC of Gazipur cancelled permission. They imposed Section 144 (of the Code of Criminal Procedure-1898) following "objection from the local people" to the event. Police, behaving very rudely, switched off the sound system as the ceremony was ongoing.
While assembled elders of the community with the police about the sudden cancellation, Mr. Motahar Ahamed Chowdhury, an executive committee member of the Ahmadiyya community, called the District Commissioner, who confirmed that he cancelled the permission, saying that he was "surrounded" by Moulanas to cancel the permission.
A delegation of the Ahmadiyya community communicated with the top-level decision-makers of the government, and influential authorities suggested the delegation to "fix another date", offering no help the community to hold the event as scheduled. The community had no alternative but to postpone their most important religious event.
When the Ahmadiyya community leaders insisted on providing official proof regarding cancellation of their programme, the Gazipur district administration gave two official circulars at around 5pm on 6 February. Signed by the DC of Gazipur district Mr. Md. Kamal Uddin Talukder, who is the ex-officio District Magistrate, he said, at 12 noon on 6 February, he cancelled the permit by the power bestowed upon him according to Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure-1898. Mr. Talukder claims that "due to the fear of deterioration of the law and order in the area -- all movement, entry, activities against the law and order was ordered banned until further notice". It also cited that "any person except a member of the law-enforcing agent violates the order shall be liable to punishment under Section 188 of the Penal Code" (of 1860).
The head of the convention's organizing committee, Mir Mobassher Ali, claimed in a written statement that the community followed due process to organise their annual convention. As a "nonpolitical and peace-loving community", they selected an isolated, less-populated place as their venue, inaccessible to outsiders, so as to hold comprehensive discussions on their religious norms, standards and feelings among assembled members. The local people, including a Member of Parliament and other local government bodies, were cooperating with them. The atmosphere was absolutely calm on the eve of the convention. Mir Mobassher alleged that the Gazipur district administration cancelled the permission without any reasonable ground or visible symptom of troubles, contrary to the claim for the cancelation that there was "fear of deterioration of the law and order in the area".
Leaders of the community alleges that "the local administration surrendered to a segment of the fundamentalists" -- denying them their constitutionally enshrined right. They claim that around fifty persons chanted slogans demanding the cancellation of the convention (Ahmadiyya) while five Mollahs met the DC, who readily impose Section 144 (of the Code of Criminal Procedure-1898) to ban the event.
Human rights activist Shahed Kayes, the executive Director of Subornogram said the Freedom of religion is protected as one of the fundamental rights of the citizens in the Constitution of Bangladesh. Article 41 (1) enshrines freedom of religion, as it reads:
"Subject to law, public order and morality-
(a) every citizen has the right to profess, practice or propagate any religion; (b) every religious community or denomination has the right to establish, maintain and manage its religious institutions."
He added:
Article 28 (1) of the Constitution of Bangladesh reads: "The State shall not discriminate against any citizen on grounds only of religion, race caste, sex or place of birth".
Other human rights and civil liberties activists condemned the cancelation of the convention.
The failure of the decision-making authorities of the government to ensure necessary security arrangements to allow the Ahmadiyya community to hold its pre-scheduled programme represents the mindset of the government regarding freedom of the minority religious communities in the country.
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written by Brown Superman , February 25, 2011
There has been (government instigated) raids by extremist NGOs and amucking individuals on inter-faith conferences (with & without islam representatives) breaking down conference hall doors and putting a stop to the conference in progress. The Police will come in after everything is over and advise the organisers to call off indefinitely and subsequently never permit such meetings to be held, even without any muslims. That is the fate of religious harmony in the country which has sizeable minority Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, Sikhs, Toaists, Bahais, etc.
The Federal government has expressed displeasure with an opposition-run state government (of Penang) when the latter formed a state committee to look into the welfare and issues affecting the non-muslims. Both Federal and all state government have departments for the Muslim affairs (a population of 52%) which includes building and maintaining "world-standard" mosques, suraus and their staff salaries, with tax payers' money (sourced from mostly non-muslims). 2 formers prime ministers (deemed racists and religion bigots) have voiced that there is no necessity for a non-muslim religions' affairs department, despite the fact that they are almost have the nation's population.
Well, fighting with religions other than their own and with islamic sects other than their own...... is the islamic way of life. A true way of terrorist Mo'! There is never a live and let live.
written by vbv , February 25, 2011
written by Reed Wilson. , February 25, 2011
Yes, it is painful and correct also. But it is in no way Islamic. In Islam, making sects is considered as Shirk which is unforgivable sin. Quran says:
"Come back to right path, be disciplined, follow the rules of god and do not be idolaters (mushrikeen) who have divided the religion and became sects. Each sect is rejoicing in what they have".(30:31-32)
God is against dividing and classifying people on the basis of faith:
"The Jews say the Christians are not on anything, and the Christians say it is the Jews who are not on anything. Ironically they both read the Book. And those who do not know say like their saying. Allah will judge between them their disputes on the Day of Resurrection". (2:113)
(We can add Muslims and others also there.)
According to Quran people can only be identified on the basis of ethnicity.
Therefore it is mushrik way of life and not Islamic. Your entire post is interesting and shows your genuine concern which I appreciate.
written by vbv , February 25, 2011
written by non believer , February 25, 2011
written by logic , February 25, 2011
written by Brown Superman , February 25, 2011
written by Archpagan , February 25, 2011
'According to Quran people can only be identified on the basis of ethnicity.'
I hope you are not joking. Muhammad committed both the crimes.
written by Reed Wilson. , February 26, 2011
"O men, We created you from a male and female, and formed you into nations and tribes that you may recognize each other. He who has more integrity has indeed greater honor with God. Surely God is all-knowing and well-informed". (49:13)
The verse shows that people are divided and on the basis of ethnicity. They should be one on basis of faith.
You write "Muhammad committed both the crimes".
You may be referring to Muhammad we find in hadis books.
written by Reed Wilson. , February 26, 2011
And they all are right. They all have deviated from the right path. Your concern is justified Brown.
written by duh_swami , February 26, 2011
You may be referring to Muhammad we find in hadis books.
You always neglect to inform us as to who the real Mohammad was if not the one in Quran...
written by Archpagan , February 26, 2011
written by Reed Wilson. , March 01, 2011
I have answered this question several times. Quran tells who is a Muslim.
Islam/Muslim:It is derived from the Arabic verb Aslama meaning to Submit to (the will of the one and only Allah). It is the religion PAR EXCELLENCE of SUBMISSION and a follower of Islam is called a Muslim.
Contrary to all the deliberate and mendacious claims by present day Muslims, ISLAM means SUBMISSION only, and has nothing to do with PEACE which is SALAM.
Muslims before Muhammad-
Islam is also referred as Hanif; those who submit to the will of the God of Abraham. They too, preceded Muhammad and Islam in their monotheism by decades if not centuries.
Among the most important Hanifs, some are mentioned in the Quran: Hud of the Ad people; Saleh of the Thamud and Sho'ayb of the Medyan.
Pls. see full article http://inthenameofallah.org/who is a muslim.html
You write "I believe in God. But at the same time I hate the concept of 'My-God-only-God'. That is at the root of all evils facing humanity today".
It is fine if you have logic to support this concept. God is universal.
written by lw1 , March 01, 2011
Pakistan has different Islamic justice, where Ahmaddiya sect has been outlawed since the 1980s.
Quran is to blame for this spread of hatred.
written by Reed Wilson. , March 03, 2011
Quran is Not to be blamed for this spread of hatred. Recite:
“Stand out firmly for God, as witnesses to fair dealing, and let not the hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just: that is next to piety: and fear Allah. For God is well-acquainted with all that you do”. 5:8.
“Children of Adam! I have bestowed raiment upon you to cover your shame, as well as to be an adornment to you. But the raiment of righteousness, - that is the best. Such are among the Signs of God, that they may receive admonition” 7:26.
Verily! Those who believe and those who are Jews and Christians, and Sabians, whoever believes in God and the Last Day and do righteous good deeds shall have their reward with their Lord, on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve. (2:62)
Your objection is that the Govt. of Bangladesh should have served a notice before cancellation. You are right Willium. They normally do not give prior notice before cancellation.